11 Sept., 1924 - The Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

FAMILIAR FIGURE DIES AT CROWELL HOME

William Nichols was born in Detroit, Mich., more than 70 years ago September 8, 1924. When 11 years old his parents moved to Illinois, making their home at Arlington, 40 miles west of Chicago. At 16 years of age William went to Galesburg, where he learned telegraphy. Some time later he and his sister, now Mrs. Erastus Smith, attended school at Clark’s seminary. Here Mr. Nichols taught telegraphy. At 22 we find him at Mr. Pleasant, Iowa, in the telegraph office where his father was agent. June 25th, 1895, at Chicago, he was married to Miss Mary M. Nevin. For some time they made their home in that city, until failing health and impaired eyesight compelled him to give up his chosen work. They then moved to St. Paul, Minn., but after some years the loss of his eyesight caused him to give up work altogether. His sister, the wife of Rev. Erastus Smith, was living in Kearney, Nebr. Here he visited in the Crowell Home, where he has lived until his death Monday afternoon. To this couple were born three boys, Joseph Chauncey, William Crescent, who died in infancy, and Frank Wilber. The mother and two boys survive the husband and father. Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday, Rev. McProud having charge. Mrs. McProud rendered very effectively the solo ”Face to Face”. Two beautiful hymns, “Home of the Soul”, and “My Jesus as Thou Wilt”, were sang by a quartet composed of Rev. and Mrs. McProud, Mr. Arndt and Mrs. Underwood, with Ethel Mead at the piano.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library ~~~

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