Nicholson - John B
Source: Weekly Argus News, April 22, 1893 p 8
The death of Mr. Jno. Nicholson has been hourly expected for some time but the announcement that the final hour had struck was none the less the occasion of wide-spread sorrow when the news of his death at 3 o'clock yesterday was heard. Mr. Nicholson was greatly beloved by all who knew him and the family have the sincere sympathy of all in their bereavement. The following notice of his life taken from the Montgomery County history tells the story in brief of his useful life:
John Nichols, photographer, Crawfordsville, was born in Jefferson County, Indiana on a farm, July 12, 1825, and remained a tiller of the soil until he learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1832 the family moved to Shelbyville, Illinois, where Mr. Nicholson was engaged at his trade. From here the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri and then to Bellville, St. Clair County, Illinois and remained until 1841. Here John received a common school eduation and from this place moved to Louisville, Kentucky and in a short time the family moved to Clark County, Indiana, upon a farm where John was employed in outdoor work. His next residence was New Albany, Indiana where he was engaged in hauling wood. In 1843 they resided in Jeffersonville, where Mr. Nicholson was engaged in guarding the prisoners who were at work upon the pententiary. From here he went to Livonia, where he engaged in the manufacture of Windsor chairs and in 1845 he took up his residence in Salem, Indiana where his father, brother-in-law and himself were engaged in chair manufacturing. He then moved to Columbus, Indiana wher ehe occupied himself in house, sign and portrait painting. March 10, 1847, he reached Franklin, Johnson County where he resided many years, engaged in painting and in the cultivation of fruits of rare quality and beauty. In January 1849 he moved to Durhamville, Tennessee and engaged in chair manufacturing and painting. In May 1850, he returned to he returned to Franklin and in February 1851, learned daguerreotyping and thoroughly fitted himself for an artist's life.
After the introduction of photography he spent some time in Cincinnati studying that branch of his life work, which has since occupied the greater portion of his time. In March 1872, he moved to Kokomo, Indian aand here lived until May 23, 1879 at which time he began his residence in Crawfordsville. In 1853 he was married to Minerva Hicks, and they became the parents of 3 children: Eva, Mary and Mable. After the death of his first wife, he married Mary L. Davidson in 1861 and became the father of John, Jr; Thomas; Nellie; and Bessie. Mr. Nicholsin is an Odd Fellow, joinint at Franklin in 1861 and member of the Knights of Pythias. He first united with the Baptist Church while in Tennessee but in 1856 joined the Christian demonination at Franklin, Indiana, and has since been a faithful, energetic and consistent worker. His wife is a member of the same church. He is a republican and was one of its earliest supporters as an abolitionist. As an artist Mr. Nicholson is eminently successful and his love for the ideal and beautiful prompts him to study his subject from a phrenological standpoint, enabling him to more fully develop those leading featuresin a person's character, thereby giving to his pictures more of a natural and life-like expression. He is a close observer of men and things, and finds great pleasure in his well-filled library with his special favorites, mental philosophy, theology, poetry and art.
The funeral will occur on Friday at 2 o'clock at the Christian Church and will be conducted by Rev. Howe - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 19 April 1893
The funeral of John Nicholson, Sr., will occur Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Christian Church, conducted by Rev. W. J. Howe. John Nicholson Sr. died yesterday afternoon about 3 o’clock at his home on West Market Street. He had been struggling against ill health for several years and although he was a great sufferer the end came quietly and peacefully. Mr. Nicholson was one of the most prominent and honored citizens of Crawfordsville and his successful photographic business and work has achieved more than local fame. The following is the account of Mr. Nicholson’s life given in the history of Montgomery County: John Nicholson was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, on a farm, July 12, 1825, and remained a tiller of the soil until he learned the trade of a carpenter. His father, Jesse C., was a carpenter, and in 1832 he moved his family from Kentucky to Shelbyville, Ill., where he was engaged at his trade. From there he moved to St. Louis, Mo., and then to Bellville, St. Clair County, Illinois, and remained until 1841. Here John received a common school training and from this place moved to Louisville, Ky., and in a short time the family moved to Clark County, Indiana, upon a farm where John was employed in outdoor work. His next residence was in New Albany, Ind., where he was engaged in hauling wood. In 1843 they resided in Jeffersonville, where Mr. Nicholson was engaged in guarding the prisoners who were at work upon the penitentiary. From here he went to Livonia, where he engaged in the manufacture of Windsor chairs, and in 1845 he took up his residence in Salem, Indiana, where his father, his brother-in-law and himself were engaged in chair manufacturing. He then moved to Columbus, Ind., where he occupied himself in house, sign and portrait painting. March 10, 1847, he reached Franklin, Johnson County, where he resided many years, engaged in painting and in the cultivation of fruits, at which he made a signal success, producing fruits of rare quality and beauty. In January 1849, he moved to Durhamville, Tenn., and engaged in chair manufacturing and painting. In May, 1850, he returned to Franklin and in February 1851, learned daguerreotyping and thoroughly fitted himself for an artist’s life. After the introduction of photography he spent some time in Cincinnati studying that branch of his life work, which has since occupied the greater portion of his time. In March, 1872, he moved to Kokomo, Indiana, and here lived until May 23, 1879, at which time he began his residence in Crawfordsville.
In 1853 he was married to Minerva Hicks, and they became the parents of three children, Eva, Mary, and Mabel. Eva attended Franklin College and became a proficient elocutionist. After the death of his first wife, he married Mary L. Davidson in 1861, and became the father of John Jr., Thomas, Nellie and Bessie. Mr. Nicholson was an Odd Fellow, joining at Franklin in 1861, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He first united with the Baptist Church while in Tennessee, but in 1856 joined the Christian denomination at Franklin, Indiana, and has since been a faithful, energetic and consistent worker. His wife is a member of the same church. He was a Republican and was one of its earliest supporters as an abolitionist.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 22 April 1893
The remains of the late John Nicholson, Sr., were laid away yesterday afternoon in Oak Hill Cemetery. The services were held under the auspices of the Knight of Pythias and the Odd Fellows, both of which orders he was an honored member. These fraternities met at their respective halls, formed a procession and moved in a body to the residence on West Market Street. The remains were then escorted to the Christian Church, of which he had long been a zealous and active member. After appropriate singing by the choir, and prayer, the pastor, Rev. W. J. Howe, delivered a most suitable and feeling address in which he alluded in most affectionate terms to the Christian life and character of the dead. The services at the grave were according to the ritual of the Knights of Pythias.