St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-04-16
LYNDON CENTER.
Death of Hiram vi. Nichols

Intelligence was received Monday oil
the death of Hiram N. Nichols, which
occurred early that day, at the home OF
his daughter, Mrs. Brace, at Westfeld,
Mass. Mr.. Nichols was for many years
prominent business man of this village
and was so widely known in this cinity
that a brief sketch of his life will be of
interest to many readers.
He was born in Unity, N H., 50 years
ago, and when about 81 years old en-.
gagged in pedoling jewelry and silverware
for his brother in-law, who was whole.
sale dealer in Lowell, Mass. He travelled
throughout this portion of the state,
selling these goods, and many people in
this vicinity still have silver spoons Of
various kinds, marked "A. Sanborn :"
these were all sold by Mr.. Nichols, and
the engraving on them is his work. In a
few years he settled in this village and
embarked in a general mercantile bust
ness, in large store which stood on the
site now occupied by the house Just be-
yOnd where Charles Hubbard lives.
For time he did a very extensive bus.
mess in this village and at the same time
employed a large number of peddIers,
sometimes as many as 30, to sell goods
in all the surrounding country. In 1857
he went out Of the mercantile business
and engaged in other pursuits for about
ten years, four of which were spent at
his old home in New Hampshire. In
1867 he returned to Lyndon Centre.
built a small store, and again entered
the mercantile business. For a time he
was in company with !. H. Hall, but
later Mr. Hall retired from the firm, and
Mr.. Nichols continued in the same store
for few years, then purchased the old
Hoyt store, which had been occupied for
several years by Mr.. Foss. Here he was
the village postmaster and merchant
until about 1875, when he retired from
trade and rebuilt the old store into the
dwelling house where he has since re-
sided, with the exception oil a portion OF
the time fer the past three years when he
has been with his daughter at Westfeld.
About 1878 Mr.. Nichols erected the
building known as Nichols block, which
stood on the site OF the present Masonic
building at Lyndonvile. 1t was de-
stroyed in the great fire, and Mr.. Nichols
sold the lot to the Masonic building as.
ISOLATION.
Mr.. Nichols had been in poor health
tor some time, but was up and able to
walk out some up to about three weeks
before his death, when be was forced to
take his bed, and failed gradually until
the end. During his illness he suffered
little or no pain.
Mr., Nichols was twice married, first in
1848, to Louisa, daughter of Captain
Alpheus StOddard of Newark. She died
in 1852, leaving one son, Hon. Albro F.
Nichols, of St. Johnsbury. In 1855 he
married Cordelia, daughter of Daniel
Quimby OF Lyndon, who with three chill
dren, Elva L., wife of Dr. George Brace,
DR.. E. NJ, OF Barton, and Stephen D. of
this town, survives him.
Mr.. Nichols will be remembered as
business man OF ability, whose long CON
nection with the interests of this town
gave him a wide acquaintance and many
friends. He never held political Office,
but was stalwart republican, and in
former days was an active worker in
behalf Of political friends.
The remains have been brought here
for burial, and the funeral will be held
from the church at two o'clock this at
ternOOn.
Charlie Stevens was killed while work
ing in the railroad yard at Nashua, N.
H. He had Just returned from this place,
where he and his wife and little child had
been spending vacation of several days
with his sister, Mrs, James Austin. The
funeral was held at Nashua. Monday
Mr.. and Mrs. Austin and children went
to Nashua Saturday.
Mrs. G. F. Ferguson and son, Philip,
have been spending lew weeks with
relatives in Boston.
Miss Grace Collins of St. Iohnsbury
has been visiting her cousin, Miss Edna
Emerson.
Rev. W. H. Lyster preached at North
Danville last Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs Matte Lord are visiting
relatives in South Barton.
Miss Winnie Batchelder is stopping for
time with her sister, Mrs. Maud
McNeal, of East Burke.
L. B. Harris gave sugar party'to the
train despatchers OF the b. & M. railroad
last week.
AIonzo and Charles Ingalls, with their
wives returned from their winter home
in Florida last Thursday.