NICOL, Albert J 1871-1952

NICOL, MARTINSON, HAYNES, BEHMER, STANZYK, ERDMAN

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 1/16/2011 at 12:06:47

Albert J Nicol was born May 14, 1871, on a farm near Stacyville and died June 24, 1952 in a hospital in Sioux City at the age of 81 years one month and 17 days.

His parents migrated to Iowa from New York state and Albert spent his early childhood near Stacyville. The rich farm land that attracted his father to Iowa provided a life time interest for Albert as well. Two sisters died in early life and a brother, Frank died in Calif. three years ago.

He was reared on a farm along the Cedar river in Mitchell county, completed eight years of rural school and trained as a grade school teacher at Eldora.

His grandfather homesteaded the Lakeville township and Albert later purchased it from the heirs. He moved from Mitchell county with team, wagon, plow and a few other possessions. The Tabor and McDonald families had already established homes in Lakeville and he lived with the Tabors for several years.

Dec. 26, 1900, he married Anna Martinson from neighboring Excelsior township. Swamps were drained, buildings erected and nature's sod was turned for the first time on his farm. November 1, 1902 the first child, Edna, was born. Eleven more were born, the youngest, Albert John, Jr. March 21, 1930. Albert J. lived on the Nicol farm until 1926, since that time at his Milford home; Education and religion were considered by him as two of life's greatest ingredients.

One of his greatest sorrows was the loss of his eldest child, Edna Haynes, who died in Calif. Feb. 26, 1943. His children lived in many different parts of the country and his travels were usually arranged to include visits with them.

His wife and 11 children survive, Mrs. Ruth Behmer, Mrs. Grace Stanzyk and Robert of Omaha; Rudy Allen of Glendora, Calif.; Stanley of Spirit Lake; Don of Fort Wayne, Ind.; A/C John of San Angelo, Tex.; Gladys Erdman, Gilbert, Dwight and Bill of Milford.

[The Spirit Lake Beacon, July 10, 1952]