Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-02
PROMINENT OLD PEOPLE OF CITY
CELEBRATE THEIR GOLDEN
WEDDING.
FRIENDS GREET THEM At
Or, n, n, NICHOLS HOME
Mr.. and Mrs. 3. T. Nichols Came TO
County in 1867, and Have Spent Most
Of Married Lite Here-Are One Of
the Youngest "oid Couples" In the
City.

Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Nichols.
1l4a North Center street, watched out
the old year in the ceIe ration Of their
golden wedding. They had intended to
celebrate the event of fifty years ago
at their own home in quiet way, but
their friends d.creed otherwise. and the
anniversary affair look on the nature Of
a surprise party. to which the guests
were hidden by DR.. and Mrs II. H
Nichols. at the II. II. Nichols home.
Twenty Ave friends were invited to
the Nichols home to enjoy $3.50 din
ner, in the serving OF which Mrs.
Nichols was assisted By Mrs. c. A.
Eadie and Mrs. Charles w. Hughes.
Bride roses formed the table decora-
lions. The affair was complete sur
prise to the honored guests.
After dinner an !mpromptu musical
program was enjoyed, Mr.. H. A. Weis-
man giving violin numbers. Mr.. Eadie
Whitehead on S,e piano. Cards were
also enjoyed during the evening. Mr..
and Mrs. Nichols were presented by the
*
Have Lived Hers Since 1867.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nichols were married
at New Lisbon. Columbiana county.
Ohio, Doc. 81. 1860. Mrs. Nichols
maiden name was Lauretta j. Hessin.
The couple lived in Ohio until the
spring OF 1857. when they moved to this
county and settled on farm Ave miles
west Of Marietta known in more recent
years as the Christian Schiller farm.
Mr.. Nichols had been west the year
before and purchased the 160-acre farm
which he afterwards occupied. He also
built a shanty Of rough boards and
timhers that he cut himself on Minerva
creek The house was not sided. and
there was lots Of fresh air in the rooms.
making outdoor sleeping porches an
luxury.
On the day following their arrival in
March, 1857, q snow storm piled drifts
three feet high all around the little
cabin, and in order to be at all comfort
q BILE 1t was necessary to hang bed quilts
about the walls.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nichols worked hard In
their new and primitive home and pros
pered. AS the years rolled by they
added a quarter section to their original
farm, and later bought 120 acres more.
making a total Of 40 acres that COM
prised their holdings when they dis
posed Of their property upon leaving
the farm in 1892.
After year spent in State Center
MI and Mrs. Nichols moved TO Hunt
ington. Ind. where Mr.. Nichols en-
gagged in the lumber and hardware bus
mess. They remained In Indiana seven
years. and after a year or two spent in
travel came to this city. In 1902.
Have Done .Weli by Children.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nichols have spent a
most happy married life. and the years
have been filled with Joy as we'll as
sorrow. The young couple started out
life by losing their firstborn. daugh-
ter, Carrie, who died at the age OF II
months. Then five other children came.
and have grown to man and woman
hood. to be blessing to their parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nichols look back on the
past with much to be thankful for. and
one Of their greatest joys Is that they
were able to give their children an edu-
cation. Each Of the Ave was sent
thru college. and has always been
grateful to the parents for seeing the
wisdom of good schooling Mr.. and
Mrs. Nichols children are Mrs. E. F..
Goodnow, OF Waukegan. H.: DR.. II. H
Nichols. Of this city; Mrs. John Cox,
Jr.. Of Chappaqua. N. Y; Mrs. B. F.
Long of Logansport. Ind. and Samuel
S. Nichols. OF Ell Paso. Tex.
Arc Young Old Couple.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nichols are one Of the
youngest old couples in the city Mr..
Nichols is ~ and his wife IS. Both
are active and take much in crest in
the affairs OF the day. Mr.. Nichols Is
an enthusiastic fisherman during the
summer seasons. and will stand an all
day tramp better than MANY man
thirty years his Junior. Mrs. Nichols Is
interested in literary club circles. in
which she takes an active part.
At the Nichols home Sunday Mr.. and
Mrs. Nichols entertained few frierds
In honor Of their anniversary. The
guests included Mr.. and Mrs w. II. c.
Woodward and con Ernest Of Marietta:
N'r and Mrs. Theodore Marsh Miss
Gertrud. Tomlioso-. Miss Hazel KEEL
lose. and Dr. end M-s. II. II. Nichols
and daughter Lauretta