George T. Nichols (1888)

NICHOLS, JOHNSON

Posted By: Ida Morse
Date: 3/28/2006 at 18:17:30

Winterset Madisonian and Chronicle
Thursday, March 08, 1888
Page 4, Column 1

Mr. George T. Nichols, of Madison township, whose serious illness we noted last week, died at his home a few days ago. His funeral took place on Monday last. Quite a number of people from Winterset attended.
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Winterset Madisonian and Chronicle
Thursday, March 22, 1888
Page 5, Column 4

Obituary

George T. Nicholas (sic) was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, April 2, 1824, and departed this life March 3d, 1888. He came to Worthington, Madison county, in 1854 where he has resided ever since. In 1852 he was married to Miss Mary C. Johnson, of Leesville, Ind., who has shared with him the toils and joys of a happy home, and have lived to see three boys and three girls gather around their hearthstone. Several sisters and their families have settled near them, forming a neighborhood noted for its worth of morals and piety. The home of Mr. Nichols was one of hospitality and cheer. The writer has partaken of those favors frequently in the years past. The itinerant minister of M. E. Church found it always a resting place.

Mr. Nichols was converted at the age of sixteen years and immediately united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and remained a worthy member of the same until his decease. For many years he was an official member of the quarterly conference of Winterset circuit and was highly esteemed by his brethren. He possessed a profound attachment to the church of his choice and rejoiced in its successes and prosperity-and lived to see a neat church edifice erected near his own residence. Mr. Nichols had some marked characteristics. To an open manly face and high brow he added an expressive eye before whose glance meanness and wrong felt abashed. A large share of sound, practical sense marked all his plans and dealings. A cheerful gravity and unassuming modesty were happily blended in his make up.

His religious life was based upon principles that gave steadiness of purpose. He felt a great reverence for the ordinance of God's house and devotion to the duties of christian life. He was not without emotion, but it was a subduing influence that fitly harmonized with his love of duty.

Some several weeks previous to his departure he felt impressed that he was nearing his heavenly home, and in conversation with his pastor he remarked that for many years he had been making his preparation for this hour-that all was right-all was clear ahead-he had no fears and was ready for the great change. With this patient, and resigned spirit he spoke often to his friends of his departure. Among the last requests he made was that the friends should sing "Jesus, Lover of My soul." He joined in the song with full voice and fervor, singing it only as dying saint can sing, and feeling it to be the expression of his richest thoughts and vivid emotion. He retained his consciousness until within twelve hours of his death. So died the good citizen, the affectionate husband, the loving father, the genial neighbor, the true Christian.

Loving hands laid him away to rest, and the community feels the loss of one of its most esteemed members.

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