Nicholson - Clarinda Rose
Source: biography written by Karen Bazzani Zach
At the age of 100, only two months from her 101st birthday, and being the oldest Montgomery County citizen, Clarinda Rose, was the daughter of John William and Mary Rose, the youngest and last to survive in her family. She was born the day after Independence day, near Chillicothe, Ohio in 1809. As spry as a 70-year-old, she was on the go a great deal of the time. She loved to sit and discuss the old times of the county. One of her happiest times was the 100th birthday party.
She married Joseph Nicholson on the 16th of October in 1829 in Cincinnati but only lived there a short time until coming to Crawfordsville, where she noted that there were only two log cabins and one crude store.
Much heart ache followed the family, losing six of their eleven children, three in infancy; one as a teenager; and two sons the year before she passed. These were Elihu who died (September 14, 1908) and seven hours later his brother, Samuel died in Fitzgerald, GA. Telegrams were received at the same time telling of the other brothers' deaths. They were both Civil War soldiers, along with their brother, Elihu. Clarinda often stated that having her three sons go off to war, the youngest but 15. Son Joseph passed not long aftewrards when a load of logs with him on top was struck by a Northwestern Interurban railway car. Secondly, her husband passing 38 years before she did. He had been one of the first and an extremely well-known blacksmith in the area. Clarinda, herself, was an amazing weaver, both with linen and wool. She often sold items to help aide her husband's income.
Her father was over 90 years old and a sister died just a few years before Clarinda at the age of 97. The Nicholsons were quite active in Crawfordsville's First Baptist Church, often greeting those coming in with a warm smile and pleasant word or two. At the time of her death, there were 34 grandchildren born (26 living) and 38 greats and even two great, great grands. She lived quite a long time in Waveland and with son William in Ladoga at the time she passed away from cancer covering most of her face. Her mind remained remarkably bright and only for the couple of years before her death could she not see to read anymore, a delight she had always enjoyed. Thus, many of her family members became her eyes and read often to the old lady.
Having passed away on the 12th of May in 1910, she was buried in Masonic Cemetery alongside her belove husband, Joseph.