Charles Elmer Nichols (1861-1942)

George L. Foster received a telegram on Friday informing him of the death of his uncle, Charles Elmer Nichols, at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., that morning. A member of one of Lake county's pioneer families, Mr. Nichols was born and reared in Lowell where he spent his entire life until moving to California with his family 25 years ago. For many year he was in the grain and hay business here, being proprietor of the C.E. Nichols Grain & Hay Co., as well as vice-president of the Lowell National bank and president of the Nichols Grain & Hay Co. at Cook.

After moving to California, he, in company with his son-in-law, H.A. Hildebrandt, conducted the Santa Monica Ice Co., Mr. Nichols retiring from active business five years ago. Survivors include his wife, Edna, one daughter, Mrs. Stella Hildebrandt, and husband, and three grandchildren of Santa Monica. Mrs. Tom Grant and Miss Mayme Nichols are nieces of the deceased and George Foster, Harry Foster and Will Nichols, nephews, all residing here.

Charles Elmer Nichols, sixth and youngest child of Horatio and Eliza (Kenyon) Nichols, was born on December 14, 1861, on the old home farm 1 ½ miles west of Lowell. Most of his younger life was spent in and around Lowell.

He was in business in Crown Point and Chicago and finally for many years in Lowell, moving to California in 1917 where he has since resided in Hollywood and later in Santa Monica, where he passed away early Friday morning, November 27, 1942, at the age of 80 years, 11 months and 13 days.

He married Edna M. Smith, June 25, 1888, at Hammond. They have one daughter, Stella M. Nichols (Hildebrandt) and three grandchildren: Edna Ruth Hildebrandt Snell, Laura Madge Hildebrandt, and Dr. Charles Nichols Hildebrandt. The wife, daughter and grandchildren survive.

Mr. Nichols was the last remaining member of his family.