Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-01-01
OBITUARY
Saylcs Nichols.

sayles Nichols, one of the older much
respected residents Of this city, and a
prominent Mason in local and state cir
Giles. was found dead in bed Monday
at noon at his home at II Grant street.
He had been dead three hours when
found. Mr.. Nichols had been in his
usual health and the end was entirely
unexpected. Within week he had been
in court to attend proceedings brought
by contestants Of the will OF the late
Harriet G. Peck. of whose estate he was
executor and he had been at his office
at 166 College street almost daily. Tho
night before his death he spoke OF how
we'll he felt.
Almost his entire life was spent in
this city. He was born in Williston Oc-
tober Z 1896, the second son of Horace
Ioomis Nichols and Lucy Hawley
Nichols In his early childhood the fam
lily moved to st. Adams. his father form
iHg the firm of Nichols, Burton & Chit
tenden. extensive purchasers and ship
pers of country produce, lumber, etc, be-
fore the days Of railroads. In 1Si9 his
father sold out his interest and the fam
fly came to Burlington, Mr.. Nichols's
late Socrates Beach in the bakery bust
ness.
Mr.. Nicholss education was obtained
in the district school at St. Adams, the
academies of Burlington. Wlliston and
ST. Johnsbury finishing at Norwich Uni
versity, then located at the town OF Nor
wich on the Connecticut
He began his business career in Febru-
ary. 1854. entering the employ of j &
| J. r. Peck & CO., the company being
| the late Edward W. Peck, then the larg-
| est mercantile house between Troy, y. Y,
| and Montreal He remained with this
firm until 1855 when he became teller Of
the St Adams bank. returning to Bur
lngton the next year to become cashier
and bookkecper for the late Edward
Peck, who had succeeded to the business
! Of the old firm Of j. 81 j. II. Peck & Co.,
which positions he held until June %,
! 1906 He performed the duties of treas
! urer in the many enterprises In which his
employer engaged and was entrusted with
the power Of attorney to transact any
business. sign checks. having in fact full
charge of affairs during the accusto med
long absences Of Mr. Peck and for many
the different companics even when Mr..
Peck was at home So faithful was Mr..
Nichols in the discharge OF every duty
and so loyal that he was ramod as exeCu-
for Of tho estates of both Mr.. and Mrs
Peck, each of whom bequeathcd him a
handsome competency and liberal an
n,litv. Mr.. Nichols was the central figure
I'm the prolonged and fierce litigation in
stigated by heirs Of the Peck estate
Although four times the decision OF the
Supreme Court was against the heirs re-
Gently they started another attack. seek
ing this time in probate court to have
Mr.. Nichols removed as executor. For
10 years the bitter LITIGATION has held VI
the settlement of the estate
Mr.. Nichols was one Of the 10 who
organized the Ethan Allen Engine com.
pany, NO 4, April a. 1857, and was its
clerk and treasurer for four years and
assistant foreman three years, resign
ing in October, 1865 He became mem
Der If the old Vermont Engine COM
pany, No. l, in January. 1863 He was
one of % who on June ., 1863, organized
the Volunteer Hose company No. l.
In Masonry Mr.. Nichols had a long and
honorable record, being 33rd degree
Mason. He was crowned a sovereign
grand inspector-general. honorarium, al
Boston on September 10, 1891. Among the
Offices that he held We're the following
Treasurer Of Washington Lodge. A. +.
and A. NJ, Burlington, three years; scribe
OF Burlington Chapter, r. a. NJ. in 1905
l9,s thrice illustrious master OF Burling'
ton Council. No. ,. Royal and Selec