Marshall Albert Nichols (1854-1953)
- In 1900, Marshall A. Nichols, Lowell's oldest citizen, sold his farm 2 ¼ miles north of town and purchased power farm machinery and contracted hay pressing and threshing when horses were the sole source of power. His horse-powered hay press is pictured in operation. [NOTE: The photo above the article was too dark to include here.]
To Celebrate Birthday On Centennial Day
On August 29th, the opening day of the celebrations which will mark Lowell's 100th anniversary, Marshall A. Nichols will also be a birthday celebrant, for that day will mark the 98th anniversary of his birth, which occurred in Marion County, Ohio, near Upper Sandusky.When a babe in arms, his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Height) Nichols, came from Ohio in a covered wagon and settled on a farm in Cedar Creek Township, 2 ¼ miles north of Lowell (where the Mel Joneses now reside). Marshall, one of eight children, is the only one still living. When he was quite young, his mother died, the children remaining on the farm to help their father until they were grown.
On April 12, 1877, he married Emma L. Taylor, daughter of Obadiah and Julia Ann Taylor of Creston. After their marriage he purchased the 240 acre farm from his father and in connection with his farming, he bought and sold hay and grain, and at one time owned and operated the grain elevator at Creston.
Helped Build Monon Right-Of-Way
When the Monon Railroad was built, Marshall and his father hauled the ties and helped lay them between Creston and Lowell.In the fall of 1900 he sold his farm to Cyrus Hayden and purchased the Fred Viant home in the east part of town (known as Flower Hill), where he is still living with his daughters, Mrs. Blanch Keuper and Mrs. Hattie E. McNay. His oldest daughter makes her home with her daughter and family, the Floyd Holmeses, near Valparaiso. Mrs. Nichols passed away 18 years ago.
Almost a centenarian, Mr. Nichols has contributed his share to Lowell's growth and boasts a most esteemed family circle. His undying interesting in growth and progress has never waned and he still anticipates the arrival of spring and first burst of bloom in the beautiful gardens at Flower Hill.
Very well and alert for his 98 years, Mr. Nichols keeps abreast of world news by reading his evening paper and maintains a keen interest in community affairs, called to his attention in the columns of the Lowell Tribune.
This unidentified article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Marshall A. Nichols, Lowell's Oldest Citizen, Laid to Rest
Marshall Albert, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Heit) Nichols, was born in Marion County near Upper Sandusky, Ohio, August 29, 1854. When about six months of age, he came with his parents to Indiana in a covered wagon. They settled on a farm in Cedar Creek Township two and one-half miles north of Lowell. Marshall was one of eight children, and when he was quite young his mother passed away and he and the other children remained on the farm to help their father until they were grown.He attended school in the country near the farm, and later went to Leroy, where he attended high school and worked for his brother Hershel in his dry goods store.
On April 12, 1877, he was married to Emma L. Taylor, daughter of Obadiah and Julia Ann Taylor, and they were the parents of three daughters, Clara B., Blanche A., and Hattie E. A son, Benson Ray, died in infancy.
After his marriage he purchased the 240 acre farm from his father, and in connection with his farming he bought and sold hay and grain, and at one time he owned and operated a grain elevator at Creston, which he later sold to John E. Love.
In the fall of 1900 he sold his farm to Cyrus Hayden and purchased the Fred Viant home in the east part of town, where he lived until his death, which occurred June 27th, 1953. Had he lived until August, he would have been 99 years old.
A member of the First Methodist church and Knights of Pythias lodge, Mr. Nichols was active in civic affairs until recent years and although no longer active he maintained a keen interest in community affairs and world events through newspapers.
Mrs. Nichols passed away 19 years ago. He leaves his three daughters, Blanche A. Keuper and Hattie E. McNay of Lowell, and Clara B. Scritchfield of Valparaiso; three grandchildren, W.L. McNay of Grand Rapids, and Mrs. Floyd Homes of Valparaiso, and nine great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held at the Weaver funeral home at 2 pm., Monday, June 29th, with Rev. E.L. Worley officiating and interment was in the Lowell cemetery in charge of John Eskridge.
Pallbearers were his grandsons, Laverne and Gilbert McNay, and nephews Earl and Owen Taylor, Elmer Vinnedge and Roy Witter.
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