RAVALLI COUNTY
OBITUARIES
N
MARY LOUISE HUMBLE NEAVES
November 6, 1877 - May 8, 1954
MRS. MARY NEAVES DIES SATURDAY AFTER LONG ILLNESS.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Neaves who passed
away at Daly hospital Saturday, May 8, were held yesterday afternoon
at Dowling chapel with Rev C.J. Taber officiating. Burial was in
Corvallis cemetery beside the grave of her husband, Robert Neaves,
who died in 1924. Pallbearers were: Frank Merritt, Roy Tilton, John
Fink, Elric Remillard, Emmett Hawker, and Normal Long, all old time
friends of the deceased matron. Mrs. Neaves had been ill since 1948
with goiter and later heart trouble. The past two months she had
been critically ill.
Mary Louise Humble was born in Green County,
Missouri, November 6, 1877. She was married at Corvallis to Robert
Neaves in 1893 and lived about four years on Hamilton Heights.
Surviving besides her sons, Walter, Hamilton and
"Chick," Great Falls, and her brother, John, are a sister, Mrs.
Amanda Dunnigan, Great Falls; three grandchildren, Bob, Delores, and
Billy of Hamilton, and several nieces and nephews. "Chick" Neaves
arrived Friday to be with his family until after the services.
Abstract from: The Western News, May 13, 1954
FRANK
ARTHUR
NEILSON
July 19, 1896 - November 19, 1948
Frank A. Neilsen Rites on Tuesday
Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon
at 2 o’clock at Dowling Funeral chapel for Frank Arthur Neilsen, 52,
who died Friday at his home five miles south of Grantsdale. Rev.
C.J. Taber will officiate. The American Legion will have charge of
the services. Interment will be in the Lone Pine cemetery at Darby.
Mr. Neilsen ahd been ill for some time with a heart ailment.
He was born July 19, 1896 in Sennington, Wis. He
had lived in this community for 16 years and in the Bitter Root
Valley for 24 years. he was a veteran of the first world war,
enlisting in the Marines in 1916 and was discharged in 1921.
He is survived by his widow, Evelyn; three
brothers, Edwin L., Portland, Ore.; Chris, Seattle, and Theodore,
Missoula; sisters, Irene Neilsen of California; and Mrs. Dorothy
Fortiter, Yakima, Wash.
Ravalli Republican, November 22, 1948
LARS PETER NELSEN
September 27, 1888 - March 9, 1952
LARS P. NELSEN OLD TIMER HERE PASSES; LAST TRIBUTE TODAY
Final tribute for Lars Peter Nelsen was paid at
services in Dowling chapel this afternoon. Rev. Marvin Keen
officiated and burial was in Grantsdale cemetery by the grave of a
daughter, Rose, who died in 1905. Pallbearers were four sons-in-law,
Hans Anderson, C.W. Jones, T.H. Carpenter, Gred Cothren, and two
grandchildren, Calvin Carpenter and Lawrence Jones. He passed away
at his Nicol addition home Sunday, after a long illness.
Mr. Nelsen was born in Denmark October 12, 1868,
and received his schooling there. He and Mrs. Nelsen were married in
Denmark September 27, 1888.
Survivors include the widow, Lucie, and ten of
the 11 children born to the couple, daughters, Mrs. Mark Reimel, Los
Angeles, California; Mrs. C.W. Jones, Mrs Hans Anderson, Mrs. T.H.
Carpenter, Mrs Fred Cothren, and Misses Grace and Elsie Larsen, all
of Hamilton; sons, Arthur and Walter, Hamilton, Elmer of Seattle.
Twelve grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Mrs. Reimel and
Elmer were unable to come for the services.
Abstract from: The Western News, March 13, 1952
JACK NELSON
Former Well Known Merchant and Horseman of Hamilton Dies Suddenly in
Missoula
The people of Hamilton were shocked Tuesday
morning by a telephone message from Missoula stating that John W.
Nelson, formerly proprietor of the Valley Clothing store, had been
found dead in his bed at his home in that city.
For years Jack Nelson was the most prosperous and
influential businessman in Hamilton. His sudden death amid
surroundings which bore no evidence of his former affluence adds to
the sorrow and sympathy of his friends. While the news was a
terrible surprise to his former friends here, it occasioned no
astonishment in Missoula as he had been having terrible choking
spells for several days. Silently in the night time with his
children sleeping in the same room with him, he was seized by such
an attack and gave up the fight. Not till the next morning did those
sleeping with him know that he had died. mrs. Nelson had come up the
valley to Hamilton the evening before and the news was at once
telephoned to her, she returning on the freight.
The funeral took place in Missoula Thanksgiving
day under the auspices of the Elks, of which order he was a member.
If Jack nelson had any faults they were buried with him. His nobler
qualities were many and will be remembered by many a grateful heart.
Ravalli Republican, Friday, November 25, 1904
NELLIE
MAY GOFF NICOL
October 31, 1860 - September 16, 1914
Mrs. R. W. Nicol Dead
Hamilton, Sept. 18 - Mrs. R. W. Nicol, wife of R. W. Nicol, one of
the pioneers of Montana and the Bitter Root, died at her home south
of town Wednesday. The funeral will be held at 2:30 on
Saturday afternoon. The deceased was born in Kansas in 1860
and had been a long-time resident of the state.
Mrs. Nicol is survived by her husband and four
children. Mrs. H. W. Johnson of Butte, Robert H. Nicol,
Harold W. Nicol and Emma A. Nicol of Hamilton; a brother B. M. Goff
of Corvallis; three sisters, Mrs. J. T. Farris of Libby and Mrs.
Thorning and Mrs. George Robbins of Darby. Jacob Goff of Darby
also survives her.”
The Anaconda, Montana Standard, Sat., 19 Sep. 1914, p. 4, c. 3
Obituary, Nellie May Nicol, Esteemed Matron Is Dead, Aged 53
Hamilton, Sept. 17 - (Special) - Mrs. Nellie May Nicol, wife
of Robert W. Nicol, died at 11 o’clock last night at her home in the
Hart addition. She had been in very poor health for some
time. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30
o’clock from the Presbyterian church, Rev. J. C. Irwin conducting
the services. interment will be made in Riverview cemetery.
The deceased was born in Kansas, October 31,
1860, and was a little over 53 years of age. She had been a
resident of the valley for many years and was esteemed by all who
knew her. Besides her husband , she is survived by four
children, Mrs. H. W. Johnson of Butte, and Robert H. Nicol, Harold
W. Nicol and Emma A. Nicol, all of this city; a brother, B. M. Goff,
of Corvallis; three sisters, Mrs. J. T. Farris, of Libby and Mrs.
Thomas Thorning and Mrs. George Robbins of Darby. Her father,
Jacob Goff, of Darby, also survives her.
The Daily Missoulian, Friday, September 18, 1914, p. 5, c. 4
Contributed by Laurance VanMeter
ROBERT
WILLIAM NICOL
March 4, 1847 - May 9, 1921
One of First Settlers in Bitter RootValley
Robert W. Nicol, Merchant of Hamilton and Rancher, Is Dead.
Hamilton, May 11 - Word has come to relatives in Hamilton that
Robert W. Nicol, one of the oldest settlers in the Bitter Root
valley, had died at Butte in the Murray hospital, where he had been
for several weeks receiving treatment for stomach trouble. His
family consisted of four children, Robert H., living on the home
ranch; Harold A., in the garage business in Hamilton; Mrs. Harry
Johnson, a daughter whose home is in Butte, and Mrs. R. A. Stark,
residing here. The wife and mother died in 1916 [sic].
The deceased was born in Michigan in the year
1847 and came to the valley in 1864 and settled in Stevensville,
where he married Miss Nellie Goff in the year 1879 [sic].
Since coming here Mr. Nicol had been engaged in ranching with the
exception of about 10 years when he was engaged in merchandising in
Hamilton.
The Anaconda, Montana Standard, Thursday, May 12, 1921, p. 10, c. 3:
Contributed by Laurance VanMeter
ELIZA ANN NICHOLS
October 10, 1864 - October 9, 1959
Eliza Nichols Dies, Almost 95; Lived in Spokane
Word was received at Woodside Saturday afternoon
of the death in Spokane that noon of Mrs. Eliza Ann Nichols, former
long-time resident of the Hamilton district. Had she lived another
day, she would have attained the age of 95 years. The information
was received by Mrs. Maude Buckridge and Henry Nichols, stepchildren
of Mrs. Opie. Funeral services and interment were at Spokane
Tuesday.
Eliza Ann Nichols was born in England October 10,
1864. She and her first husband, J.H. Opie, located on the west side
of the Butter Root, having a tract of land on the south side of
Roaring Lion Creek - well west of the present west side road. There
they produced the first commercial crop of strawberries to be
shipped from the Bitter Root. They sent their berries to Butte via
express from Hamilton depot. In those days, two trains plied daily
between Butte and Hamilton. They operated their berry farm for about
five years in the era following the turn of the century. After Mr.
Opie's death, the widow and her son, Headly, moved to the Doran
addition. In 1917, she was married to the late Henry Nichols who
died December 7, 1921. Her son had moved to Spokane and married in
the meantime. After Mr. Nichols' death, the widow joined her son and
daughter-in-law in Spokane. She remained a resident of that city
until her death.
Survivors are the son,
Headly Opie; a daughter-in-law; a granddaughter, Mrs. Julia Tiekamp
of Seattle; four great grandchildren and stepchildren, Henry Nichols
and Mrs. Buckridge of Woodside.
The Western News, October 15, 1959
ELIZA CHAPMAN NICHOLS
1863 - December 11, 1915
Woodside Matron Dead, Funeral This Afternoon
Mrs. Henry Nicholls died Saturday at her home west of Woodside. The
funeral will be held this afternoon from the Consolidated Church at
Corvallis, Rev. Gallager conducting the service. Interment will be
made in Corvallis Cemetery.
Eliza Nicholls was born in Cornwall, England, in 1863. She married
Henry Nicholls in 1887 and they came to Butte in 1891 and from there
to the Bitter Root valley in 1912. She is survived by the husband,
one daughter, Maude, and a son, Henry, together with other relatives
resident in Butte. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the
community.
The Western News, December 14, 1915, page 1
Card of Thanks
We take this means to extend our heartfelt thanks to our many
friends and neighbors who were so kind to use during the illness and
after the death of our beloved wife and mother, Mrs. Eliza Nicholls.
We especially want to thank the Federated Church Guild and those who
sent the beautiful floral offerings.
H. Nicholls and family
Ravalli Republican, December 24, 1915, page 5
HENRY NICHOLLS
September 17, 1863 - December 7, 1921
Woodside Farmer is Dead After Long Illness
Henry Nicholls, a prominent farmer residing near
Woodside, died at his home last Wednesday evening after an illness
of four or five years due to tuberculosis.
The deceased was born in Cornwall, England, on
September 17, 1863, and has been a resident of the United States for
thirty-five years. He came to the Bitter Root valley nine years ago.
Although he had been ill four or five years, it was only during the
past 14 months that his condition became alarming and all of that
time he was confined to his home.
The funeral services were held at the Methodist
Church in Corvallis Sunday afternoon and interment was made in the
Corvallis Cemetery.
The Western News, December 15, 1921, page 1
HENRY NICHOLS
December 31, 1891 - October 26, 1973
Henry Nichols Succumbed to Injuries From Car Accident
A respected Corvallis man, Henry Nichols,
succumbed to injuries received in a car accident October 16 at
Victor Crossing when death overtook him at Community Hospital in
Missoula October 26.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Dowling
Chapel with interment in Corvallis Cemetery. Ritual of the Masonic
order honored Mr. Nichols, a longtime member of the Corvallis lodge.
Rev. Monroe Wilcox officiated and pallbearers were Russell Lairy,
Clarence Moyle, Dick Bryson, John Jewell, Gene Nulliner, and Donald
Thorson. Honorary pall bearers were Fay Burrell, Gomer Lockridge,
Nick Totsoff, Nels H. Olson, Louis Nulliner, Gilbert Chaffin, Lloyd
Terry, and Loren Gander.
Henry Nichols was born December 31, 1891 at
Champion, Michigan, son of Henry and Elizabeth Chapman Nichols. The
parents are at rest in Corvallis Cemetery.
Abstract from The Western News, October 31, 1973, page 1
VIRGINIA STRANGE NICHOLS
January 3, 1914 - May 1, 1997
Virginia Strange Nichols, 83, of Helena, died at
the North Valley Health Care Center in Stevensville, Thursday, May
1, 1997. She was born January 3, 1914 in Stevensville in the Etna
District, and was the daughter of Big and Jessie (Morris) Strange.
Ginny graduated from the Stevenville High School in 1932. On October
13, 1934, she married Norris Nichols in Missoula. Ginny and Nick
farmed and ranched within one mile of her birthplace for 59 years.
One of the favorite places was the Bitterroot Valley and the ranch.
Ginny collected antiques during her life and
eventually went into business in 1971 selling out of her home in
Stevensville. When she and her husband moved to Helena in 1973, she
worked at "Days of Yore" for eight years. She also enjoyed meeting
new people through her work.
Virginia was an active volunteer for the American
Cancer Society in Ravalli County for 15 years and she was active in
the Ravalli County Historical Society in the museum. As an amateur
historian, she was most interested in Fort Owen and St. Mary's
Mission at Stevensville. She was one of 13 authors of the "Montana
Genesis" written in 1971; this is the history of Stevensville and
the surrounding area. While in Helena, Ginny served as a member of
the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers and was state honorary
chairman of the State Historical Museum in Helena. Her grandparents
were pioneers to the Bitterroot and her great-grandmother was also a
Montana pioneer.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Morris
Strange; and a daughter-in-law, Sue Nichols. Ginny is survived by
her husband, Norris of Helena; two sons, Gib Nichols and his wife,
Sally, of Helena; and Ben Nichols of Stevensville; and one daughter,
Karyl Arndt and her husband Charles of Aurora, Colorado. Also
surviving are five grandchildren, Roseanne and husband Joe Heser of
Ames, Iowa; Shaun and his wife, Heather Nichols, of Charleston,
S.C.; Brendan and his wife, Jennifer Nichols, of Portland, Oregon;
and Tyler Arndt and Virginia Arndt of Aurora; and four
great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a niece, Georgiann Dayton; a
nephew, Bill Strange; and sister-in-law, Helen Strange, all of
Stevensville.
Memorial services are at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 27,
at Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville. Memorials may be sent to
the Shrine Hospital, N. 820 Summit Boulevard, Spokane, Washington,
99201-1598, or the Victor Museum at Victor, Montana 59875.
The Missoulian, Missoula, Montana
Contributed by Georgiann Dayton
DAVID D. NICHOLSON
One of the Old Residents of Bitter Root Valley
Twenty-Nine Years Ago He Located on Land Where He Had Resided Ever
Since
Darby, November 16 - David D. Nicholson died at his home about two
miles north of town last Thursday morning. Mr. Nicholson was one of
the very old-timers of the Bitter Root valley,having come to Montana
in 1861 and to the Bitter Root in 1887 and located on the land where
he since resided.
“Dave,” as he was called by his friends, was a
gentle, kindly man, beloved by his neighbors and respected by all
who knew him. Generous to a fault, and a well-wisher, he was always
welcome in any home or public or private gatherings. He had become
one of the best known men in the upper valley and will be missed by
this community. He leaves one daughter, Maggie, who resided with her
father and is now at the old home. The burial took place at 2
o’clock Tuesday.
Ravalli Republican, Friday, November 17, 1916
ROBERT S. NICHOLSON
July 12, 1896 - January 1975
Robert Nicholson Succumbs; Graveside Rite to be Friday
Robert S. Nicholson, 78, a former postmaster at
Darby, died Wednesday at Daly Hospital in Hamilton. Graveside
funeral rites will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Lone Pine Cemetery
in Darby with the Hamilton Masonic lodge to conduct a ritualistic
service. The Dowling Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Nicholson was born July 12, 1896 in the Como
area. He attended schools at Como and in Hamilton. He and Wilma
Rouse were married on August 22, 1933 in Salmon.
Nicholson worked for the Bitter Root National
Forest for about 15 years, then joined the U.S. Postal Service in
1930. He was serving as postmaster at Darby at the time of his
retirement in 1959. He and his wife lived in the West Fork area for
several years and then moved to Hamilton in 1971. Nicholson was
active in Masonic orders, served as president of the Darby PTA and
served for many years as an upper valley 4-H club leader.
Survivors include his wife, at the family home in
Hamilton; one son, Robert Jay Nicholson of Corvallis, and three
grandsons and one granddaughter. But Nicholson of Darby is a nephew.
Family members asked that memorials be made to
the Montana Lung Association.
Ravalli Republican, January 2, 1975
LOUIS J. NORDHEIM
October 17, 1860 - February 1938
AUTO HITS TRAIN. LOUIS J. NORDHEIM DIED OF ACCIDENT INJURIES.
Almost instant death for one person and serious
injuries for another was the result of an accident near the
Corvallis depot aout 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon when an auto
driven by L.J. Nordheim, in which is wife was a passenger, struck a
Northern Pacific freight train. Mr. Nordheim succumbed a few minutes
later from his injuries and his wife was rushed to the Daly hospital
in a semi-conscious condition. Failure to see the approaching train
is believed to have been responsible for the accident.
Coroner John Dowling and Under Sheriff A.C. Baker
rushed to the scene in an ambulance, finding Mr. Nordheim in a dying
condition and he passed away a short time later. The remains were
brought to Hamilton in the same ambulance which was used to convey
his wife to the Daly hospital. Mr. Nordheim's head was cut, his
skull fractured and his chest crushed, the officers reported. Mrs.
Nordheim received head concussions and chest injuries. She told the
officials that she did no remember having seen the train, but
reports of the trainmen and others were to the effect that the train
had whistled repeatedly inasmuch as it did not intend to make a stop
at Corvallis.
The impact of the crash threw the car about 35 or
40 feed from the crossing and both its occupants were thrown clear
of the machine. Mr. Nordheim was lying near the back of the car when
Mr. Dowling and Mr. Baker arrived at the scene. Mrs. Nordheim had
been hurled through the windshield. It is reported that the force of
the impact was so great as to break the cowcatcher on the train so
badly that it had to be taken off before proceeding to Missoula. Mr.
and Mrs. Nordheim were enroute from their home in the Summerdale
district northeast of Corvallis to Hamilton and the train was
traveling north on its return trip to the Garden City.
Louis J. Nordheim was born in Norway on October
17, 1860, and came to the United States in 1888. He had been a
resident of the valley 31 years and was active in the operation of
his ranch in the Summerdale district. Last fall, he observed his
77th birthday anniversary with a dinner party, arranged by his wife,
for a company of 12 people. Mr. and Mrs. Nordheim made frequent
trips to Hamilton and they were well-known in this part of the
valley.
Besides his wife, Mr. Nordheim is survived by his
brother, George Nordheim, who made his home with the deceased; and
two nephews, Henry Johnson of Hamilton and Ingward Nordheim of
Smelterville, Idaho. The latter had been reared by Mr. and Mrs.
Nordheim and his relationship to them was more like that of a son.
He came immediately upon receiving word of the fatal accident.
Last rites in Mr. Nordheim's memory were
conducted at the Dowling chapel yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Rev. C.J. Taber officiated. Mrs. Wilson Taylor sang vocal
selections. Burial was made in the Corvallis cemetery and those to
act as pallbearers were Holger Toftoy of Corvallis, John Hackman of
Grantsdale, W.E. Chapin, O.M. Gerer, S.A. Wheeler, and Nels Peterson
of Hamilton. Other relatives present at the services were Louis
Helgeson of Jamestown, North Dakota; a nephew of Mrs. Nordheim, and
Emil Hanson of Spokane, Washington, who is the husband of Mrs.
Nordheim's niece.
Ravalli Republican, February 3, 1938
MARIE
WESTER NORDGREN
1883 - April 19, 1940
Mrs. E. Nordgren Dies
Resident of Grantsdale Section for
Past 25 years Laid to Rest in Riverview Cemetery
Mrs. Marie Nordgren, wife of Eric Nordgren,
well-known rancher of the Grantsdale district, died at the Daly
hospital at 6 o’clock Friday evening after an illness of several
months. She had been a resident of Grantsdale for 25 years, coming
as a bride from Glendive. Her husband, and a daughter, Miss May
Nordgren of Butte, and a brother, Joe Wester of Glendive, are the
surviving relatives.
Mrs. Nordgren was born at Kalskrona, Sweden 56
years ago. She came to the United States 38 years ago. Always active
in community affairs and known for her neighborly ways, Mrs.
Nordgren had many friends. Mrs. J.C. Harvey is a sister-in-law.
Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon
at the Dowling chapel. Rev. Arthur Hulbard was in charge and the
pallbearers were Nels Peterson, Otis Lyndes, Sam Reynolds, Henry
Johnson, Tony Hummell and Lyle Forrest. Interment was in Riverview
Cemetery.
Ravalli Republican, April 25, 1940
ALICE BELLE CUMLEY NULLINER
August 15, 1935 - December 10, 1984
Alice Belle Nulliner, 49, of Hamilton, died
Monday night at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital of cancer. She
was born August 15, 1935 at Hamilton, the daughter of Arthur
O. and Louise Ward Cumley. The family lived in the Rye Creek area,
and Alice was raised and schooled in the Darby area. She graduated
from Darby High School in 1953 and St. Patrick’s School of Nursing
in 1956.
On December 7, 1955, she married Louis Nulliner
in Missoula. They made their home in the Hamilton area since that
time. She had been active in promotion of the High School rodeo.
She is survived by her husband, Louis, of
Hamilton, a daughter, Jamie Parker of Phillipsburg; two sons, Craig
Nulliner of Huntington Beach, Calif, and Gwen Nulliner of Hamilton,
two brother, Del Cumley of Missoula and Bill Cumley of Helena; and a
sister, June Siwicki of Hamilton.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m.
at the Hamilton First Baptist Church, 200 S. Cooper Lane, with
Pastor Ottley Owen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview
Cemetery in Hamilton. Funeral arrangements are under the direction
of Dowling Funeral Home in Hamilton. The family has suggested
memorials be given to the Ravallli County Humane Society or to a
charity of the donor’s choice.
Ravalli Republic, December 12, 1984