Phoebe Eliza Kenyon Nichols (1826-1912)
(Mrs. Horatio Nelson Rice Nichols)
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A copy of the following unidentified, undated obituary was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
- Phoebe Eliza Kenyon was born in the town of Sciutate, Rhode Island, January 3, 1826, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edson Foster, in Lowell, Indiana, October 27*, 1912, at the age of 86 years, 9 months, and 24 days. She was one of the oldest pioneers of this county, coming to Lake County with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kenyon, in 1838. Her parents settled on the farm now owned by Peter Frederick, and it has been known as "Kenyon's Corners." At the age of 12 years she united with the Methodist church at Lowell and was closely connected with the pioneer work of the church. She was a charter member of the church and lived to see it grow from a few members to a prosperous congregation.
On January 23, 1845 she was united in marriage to Horatio R. Nichols, To this union was born six children -- William C., of Lowell; Irving L., deceased; Hannah L., now Mrs. Mortimer Gragg, of Topeka, Kan.; Ella M., now Mrs. Cyrus Dickinson; Alma E., now Mrs. Edson Foster, and Charles E., all of Lowell.
After her marriage she and her husband lived in Cedar Creek Township until the fall of 1851, and then moved to West Creek Township and lived there until 1868 when they moved to Lowell where she has since resided. In 1897 she was called upon to part with her husband by death, and has since that time made her home with her children.
Mrs. Nichols, being an early settler, suffered all the hardships of pioneer life, and lived to see this country develop from a wilderness to one of the most prosperous settlements in the state of Indiana. She was a woman of more than ordinary ability; being a great reader she was, until a few years ago, able to converse intelligently on the current topics of the day. She was a woman whom it was a pleasure to know and she will be sadly missed by many outside her immediate family. She was a woman of very strong personality and lived up to her convictions.
Funeral services were held at the M.E. church Tuesday at 2 p.m. Rev. G.H. Bright, pastor of the church, preached the funeral sermon, assisted by Rev. R.H. Johnston and Elder John Bruce. There was a large attendance at the funeral services, thus showing the high esteem in which the deceased was held by her neighbors and friends. The M.E. church choir furnished the music. Undertaker John Castle had charge of the burial service. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery in the family lot. The following acted as pall bearers: George L. Foster, Harry Foster, Ernest Dickinson, Carl Gragg, Will H. Nichols, grandsons, and Byrl C.Grant, great-grandson.
She leaves to mourn her, five children one foster-daughter, Mrs.Addie McAllister, of Washington, D.C., two brothers -- Albert M. Kenyon, of Britton, Okla., and Lester Kenyon, of Bloomington, Ill., eleven grand-children and eighteen great-grandchildren. To the bereaved family and friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy in their hour of bereavement.
* NOTE -- This obituary listed the death date of Phoebe Eliza Nichols as Oct. 27, 1912, but a descendant's D.A.R. application listed it as Oct. 12, 1912.
Go to Phoebe Eliza Kenyon Nichols, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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