Cass County IL Archives Obituaries.....Nicholson, JS
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Pat Hageman hageman@inx.net September 1998

Beardstown's "Evening Enterprise" - April 20, 1911

PROMINENT CITIZEN HAS PASSED AWAY
Was One Of The Oldest Newspaper Editors In The State

After an illness of five days, J.S. Nicholson, postmaster and 
editor of the Illinoian-Star, answered the final summons at 4 
o'clock Wednesday morning.  He had been ailing for some months 
past but succeeded in battling successfully the ravages of 
disease until last Friday when he gave up and went to the home 
of his son, E.E. Nicholson, at 915 Washington street where he 
became bedfast.  His illness began with Grippe, but quickly 
developed into bronchial pneumonia and he steadily grew weaker, 
and at last gave up the unequal fight.  He remained conscious 
to the end and was surrounded by the members of his family when 
he died he spoke to the nurse and gave the request that the song 
"A Charge I Have Kept" be sung at his funeral  He so lived his 
life that when called upon to lay down his earthly cares he could 
enter into the home prepared by his Master.

The deceased was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, Gebruary 19, 
1832, and was aged 79 years 2 months.  With his parents he left 
Liverpool on the anniversary of Queen Victoria's marriage in 1841, 
and like so many emigrants had a slow passage to New Orleans, thence 
up the Mississippi river settling after a journey of eleven weeks, 
at Jacksonville.  In 1850 the family settled on unimproved land near 
Beardstown.  Later the father and mother moved to Rome, Peoria county, 
Ill., where they died a few years later within ten days one of the 
other.  Mr. Nicholson began his career in Beardstown as office boy 
on the paper which afterwards he became proprietor.  He later 
embarked in business in Mt. Sterling where he successfully 
edited a newspaper until fire brought ruin and he returned to 
Beardstown in 1877 he assumed control of the Illinoian, a semi-
weekly.  He continued in charge of this paper until 1890 when 
a consolidation was formed with Cad Allard owner of the daily 
and weekly Star and the paper then became the Illinoian-Star.  
This partnership continued until 1901, when he sold out and 
later formed a partnership with F.M. Fulks and the firm continued 
as Nicholson & Fulks until 1903 when E.E. Nicholson purchased 
Mr. Fulks interest and the firm became Nicholson and Nicholson.  
He was a republican in politics and worked faithfully for the 
advancement of the party's interests, being many times honored 
as state delagate, state central committeeman.  Some seven years 
ago he was appointed postmaster, which position he held at the 
time of his death.

He was a man high educational attainment and took his finishing 
course at McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill, completing his studies 
in 1850.  In connection with his newspaper work he for some years 
conducted a business college.  Early in his life he confessed his 
faith in Christ and conscientiously followed his teachings to the 
end.  He was one of the first members of the Methodist church and 
always took an active part in church work, having seen the congre-
gation frow from a mere handful to its present enrollment.  He 
was one of the prime movers in the construction of the present 
edifice and actied on the building committee.  For many years he 
served as superintendent of the Sunday school, and at the time of 
his death was a member of the Board of Trustees of the church.

He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Jemima Dunn Harris 
to whom he was united in 1860.  To this union were born four 
children, all of whom died in infancy except C.B. Nicholson who is 
a resident of St. Louis.  The death of Mrs. Jemima Nicholson 
occurred in 1873.  His second marriage was with Miss Eliza 
Jane Buck in December 1875.  To this union was born one child 
E.E. Nicholson of this city.  The second wife preceeded him in 
death in 1900.

Deceased was quiet of manner and disposition and a home loving man 
when the pleasure of one was his.  He was identified with many of 
the progressive movements in the city and since its organization 
has been president of the Mutual Loan and Savings association and 
has been a member of the Board of Directors of the First National 
Bank since its incorporation.

Besides his sons, C.B. Nicholson of St. Louis and E.E. of this 
city he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Ellen Cole of Cullison, 
Kans., Mrs. Mary Weedman of St. Louis, and two brothers, Thomas 
of Oklahoma and Chas. H. of near Peoria.

The funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Friday after-
noon at the M.E. church.  Interment at Oak Grove cemetery.


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