Pike Township Family Stories
GOLDIE PIKE
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 287
By Alberta Metcalf KellyThe following was printed in the West Liberty Enterprise on 23 November 1978:
In this American Thanksgiving month of 1978, Goldie Pike will celebrate her ninety-second birthday on November 27. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Watkins and was born at their family home, where Bernice Hadley and Jim Hadley now live. Goldie recalls that her grandfather, Greenbury Watkins, had planted the beautiful pine trees still standing there.
As a boy, Greenbury (J. G.) had come to this area in 1844 with his parents, Elizabeth Watkins and William Watkins. On April 24, 1856, Greenbury married Miss S. A. Shiley of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of Charles Watkins, Chester Watkins, Celesta Watkins, Hattie Watkins and Lizzie Watkins. They owned and farmed 385 acres of land, a part of which is the site of Watkins cemetery, south of Nichols. Many early pioneers are buried there. Greenbury served as clerk and justice of the peace in Pike township.
As a girl, Goldie walked to Lacy school more than a mile north of her home. Lacy is the site of the present Grange Hall. Goldie recalls her classes, her teachers, the school, the many school and neighborhood programs at Lacy. Later she stayed with her grandparents in the south part of Nichols – Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dowling – and attended the white frame school in the extreme north part of town. She liked taking piano lessons from a local teacher and chuckles when she recalls how she and her husband, Charles Pike, later played the piano and violin at local festivities.
In 1901 she was baptized at the Christian church by Rev. Ballou. Later, in the early 1930s, she became president of the women’s Delta Alpha class of the church. Many remember her delicious noodles and popcorn balls made for the fall harvest suppers.
When Goldie Watkins was eighteen, she married Charles Pike, a local farmer. Nine years later, their son Albert was born. Albert married Lenora Milder in 1940. They are the parents of three daughters and grandparents of eleven boys and girls.
Except for two years at Hayfield, Minnesota, Goldie and Charlie spent their years together in Pike township. When they retired from farming, they moved to the comfortable five-room home, one block south of the old Rice Café. Just a year later Charlie died from a sudden heart attack.
Courageously, Goldie continued to be an active part of our community. Many young parents, now grown with children of their own, remember her helping to prepare the good food for the school lunches. Not too many years ago, Goldie parted with her piano and her car.
We, Nichols Observers are happy that Goldie Watkins Pike, though less active physically, is still able to live in her cozy home, enjoy occasional euchre games and drives, and welcome her many caring relatives and friends.
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