Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-09-22
EDWARD NICOLLS
LAID TO REST
AGED PIONEER OF 1851 Al
FIGURE HERE FOR
SEVENTY YEARS

Inc passing away of Edward Nicolls
the past week, has taken from us one
who has been prominent in annals
OF the history of Wausau for nigh
onto seventy years. He was one of
the honored pioneers of Marathon
county and the history of his early
life is full of the hardships and trials
and privations of those hardy people
who came here in the early sos to
clear the forests, build villages and
cities to make way for the onward
march of civilization. For seventy
years Mr. Nicolls has figured in
larger or lesser degree, as the cases
warranted, in the events which have
tended to the growth and development
of Marathon county and Wausau
Leader Among Men
OF moderate means after reaching
manhoods estate, he gave freely
toward the promoting of whatever. in
his Judgment, was for the best in adj
vancing the interests and welfare of
the public. In all his labors, he had
shown himself to be a man of strong
personality, of indomitable will power.
leader among men and an earnest
hard worker in the cause of right.
1t was his good judgment, supple
mented and backed up by logic, which
he expressed without fear or favor.
that gained for him that power and
confidence possessed by but few in any
community 1t was that type of in
fiuence which worked quietly, forceful-
ly and finally eliminated in success.
lie was often approached to take
hand in the affairs of city and county
government but never could be per-
suaded to accept a candidacy for any
office within the gift of the people,
preferring to watch from the side lines
with the rank and file.
Legion of Friends
Edward Nicolls was essentially one
OF Wausau's very able and progress
sive pioneers and from the time he
was lad In school through his long
career as riverman, logger, lumberman
and businessman, he ever maintained
those splendid qualities of head and
heart which made for him legion of
friends and endeafed him to the peo-
pie. The history of Wausau and Mara
thon county cannot be written without
recounting the deeds of such valiant
pioneers; of the great interest taken
in laying securely the foundations up
on which to build a thriving beauti-
full progressive city. Those who fol-
low these pioneers owe them great
debt of gratitude and their memories
will be forever revered and cherished.
Edward Nicolls passed away on Fri
day morning, Sept. 16, 1921, about five
O'Clock at his home in the Nicolls'
block He had been in declining health
for some time consequent upon afflic-
tions which come to those whose lives
have been long on this earth. He was
the youngest son of Peter and Mar
garet (McPhaiD Nicolls, who were
born in Scotland of Scotch ancestry.
The deceased was born near Porth,
Canada, on February 10, 1888 The
family moved to the states in the ear
ly forties and went onto farm near
Peoria, H., and later moving to Alex
andria, Mo-, where his mother died in
1S49. Two years afterwards his faith
er joined the rush to the gold fields
in California. where he died soon after
reaching that state.
Early Relatives
Edward Nicolls was brother of the
late Mrs. Peter ST. Austin, whose
maiden name was Elizabeth Nicolls.
The late Peter ST. Austin was one of
the earliest settlers in Marathon coun-
ty. He was native of Canada and
came to the states in 1888 and to Wau-
sau in 1916, when the whole surround-
ing country was a wilderness and was
included in Portage county. He was
united in marriage to Margaret Mic
oils at Alexandria, Mo-, on May 8,
1851
He was also a brother of the
late Mrs. Rufus p. Hanson, whose
maiden name was Catherine Nicolls.
She had come to Wausau with the st.
Austins in 1851 andfwas united in mar
Fiage to Mr. Manson on Nov. 13, 1854.
Both Of them passed away In 1897. Mr..
Manson came to Wausau in 1851 and
became one of our prominent lumber
men.
Edward Nicolls came to Wausau al
SO in 1851 to live at the home of his
sister, making the trip up the Missis-
sippi river to La Crosse, thence on
horse back to Wausau which was a
very hard trip for little chap. He
attended the public schools and had
the distinction of being one of the
pupils of the first public school opened
in Wausau. For the first few years af-
ter this, there were only three months
terms each year. Notwithstanding the
disadvantages for acquiring an educa-
tion, young Nicolls applied himself
and in time was possessed of more
learning than many who had spent
years in schools and colleges. He
was an omniverous reader and was
prolific in his knowledge
Of historical subjects Even up to the
time of his death, reading continued
a pastime.
Pilot at Twenty
The river fascinated him and at the
age of fifteen he went out on fleet
Of lumber for Messrs. Young and Aus
tin, who were partners in the manu-
facture of lumber. The former looked
after the marketing end of the busi-
ness while the latter attended to the
Mr. st. Austin was a
superior man as river pilot and as
q lumberman and his early coaching
as well as that of r. p. Manson gave
young Nicolls an insight into river