Elmer C. Nichols
Elmer Nichols was appointed a library trustee when the West Liberty Free Public Library was established in 1900. He served on the executive committee. He resigned in 1904 and was replaced by G. A. Moore.[1]
Elmer Clay Nichols was born at West Liberty Nov. 12, 1867, the son of Charles and Louisa Gibson Nichols. His father was a merchant of dry goods.[2] He attended the University of Iowa, receiving a B. A. degree in 1888 and a law degree in 1890. He was the captain of the University’s first football team for two years.[3] He married Laura Barber in 1890 [4] and they were the parents of one son, Clay Barber Nichols.[5] Mrs. Nichols died Nov. 4,1901 following a serious surgery.[6] Mr. Nichols had a busy law practice in West Liberty and took an active role in county and state conventions for the Republican party. He announced in Jan,1904 that he would be a candidate for the office of county attorney on the republican ticket.[7] On June 1,1904, he married Margaret Hawley in Muscatine.[8] His law practice continued in West Liberty until 1917 when he moved to Muscatine to give closer attention to his duties as chairman of the county draft board during World War I. He continued his law practice in Muscatine after the war.[9] He was a member of the Iowa Lodge No. 2 of the Masonic Order.[10] He died Oct. 22,1934 at his home following influenza and myocarditis with burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine.[11]
– Pam Schnittjer
[1] West Liberty Library Board of trustees Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 1, 58.
[2] Ancestry.com, 1880 U.S. Federal Census, West Liberty, Muscatine Co., IA, sheet 17.
[3] The Muscatine Journal, Muscatine IA, Oct. 23,1934, p. 1.
[4] Ancestry.com. Iowa, U.S., Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
[5] Ancestry.com, 1900 U.S. Federal Census, West Liberty, Muscatine Co., IA, sheet 11.
[6] The Muscatine Journal, Muscatine, IA, Nov. 5,1901, p. 4
[7] The Muscatine Journal, Muscatine, IA, Jan 22,1904, p. 8.
[8] Ancestry.com. Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1951 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014
[9] West Liberty Index, West Liberty, IA, Oct. 25,1934, p. 1.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ancestry.com, Iowa, U. S. Death Records, 1880-1904, 1920-196