GRAND OLD CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES
Adam Nickelson, of Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Passes Away at Age of 94 Years: Impressive Funeral Services Conducted Last Friday.
By Charles F. Cook
Adam Nickelson, a brave defender of his country, who underwent the hardships of privations of a soldiers' life during the Civil War when the unity of the nation was in peril, died at 8 A.M. on Christmas Day, December 25, 1934, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Nickelson, in Lower Turkeyfoot Township, where her was given great care and loving and thoughtful attention these many years past.
Familiarly know as Grandpa Nickelson, he lived to the ripe old age of 94 years, 1 month, and 23 days. He was always reasonably well and hearty to within the last few years; suffered paralysis of throat, deafness and blindness his few remaining days.
He was born November 2, 1840, in that part of Milford Township now Black Township, a son of John and Phobe (Snyder) Nickelson; descended from an old time family of Somerset County. He was twice married, first to Posetta Eicher in 1867. She died of child birth, April 20, 1868; the child William Lincoln Nickelson, lived and he died at Hardy, Nebraska, several years ago. The second wife was Niria Snyder, whom he married January 15, 1871; she was a daughter of Levi and Susan (Ringler) Snyder, and death came to her July 17, 1921. There were eight children and the following survive, namely, Edward B., intermarried with Anna Heckler; Hanna Susan, widow of Scott Anderson; Jacob A. intermarried with Lucretta Conn; Silas A. intermarried with Edith Dayton who was raised in the family of John Kelso, all residing in Lower Turkeyfoot Township; Anna May, single, an Evangelist who lives at Pittsburgh. But one member of the John Nickelson family survives, Simon P Nickelson, of Berlin. Decedent leaves 26 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
Mr. Nickelson lived on a farm known as the Bailey Place, on the Springfield road, near Draketown, having resided here for 62 years continuously to death; retired from active farming years ago. He was a noted hunter, tree grafter and bee man. He served his district as tax collector, and at his prime, was road supervisor for many years. When he received his last hunting license two years ago, he was the oldest person to be granted a license to hunt game in this county. He had a leading part in cleaning up and beautifying the old portion of the Jersey cemetery.
Veteran Nickelson was a volunteer soldier under Colonel Robert P. Cummins, of Somerset, a private in Company C, 142nd Pennsylvania infantry; enlisted August 26, 1862, and discharged at Washington, D.C., May 29, 1865. Beginning at Fredricksburg and winding up at Appomattox, he participated in all of the major battles and engagements fought in Virginia and Maryland, and including the Battle of Gettysburg. On the first day of the great conflict at Gettysburg, he was struck twenty-one times in the clothing and no blood was drawn. He retained his membership in Ross Rush Post No. 361, Grand Army of the Republic, of Ursina, until that post surrendered its charter by reason of insufficient members.
Impressive funeral services were conducted at the home at 2 P.M. last Friday, James Beacam, assisted by Harry Hamilton, traveling Evangelists, officiateng. The selection of song were "Your Father Knoweth", " One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and" Come Let Us Follow Jesus." When Jesus Comes to Reward His Servants" was sung at the grave. Great numbers of people attended the obsequies, which were directed by Undertaker, Charles B. Humbert. Interment was in Jersey Church cemetery, Lower Turkeyfoot Township. The pall bearers were Joseph M. Critchfield, Robert Kurts, Harry Kreger, Ralph Vanisckel, Fred Marquart and Harner Fush, members of Harry Lichty Post No. 394, American Legion, of Confluence.
Among the relatives and friends from without the immedieate vicinity who attended the funeral were the following persons, namely, Miss Anna May Nickelson, of Pittsburgh; Mr. and Mrs. Simon P. Nickelson of Berlin; Mr. and Mrs. Adam Nickelson, Jr., of Philadelphia; Albert Anderson, of Hooversville; Charles Snyder, of Stoneycreek Township; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Berkebile, of Conemaugh Township; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Musgrave, of Uniontown; Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Hoffman, Beckley Shelkey, Orville Greer, Norman Tannehill, and Mrs. J. R. Shipley of Connellsville; ross May, of Dunbar; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Conn, of Markelton; David Nickelson, of Casselman; Mr. and Mrs. C. Clarence Nickelson, of Friendens; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Sembower, William and John Putman, Melissa Meyers, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Snyder and S. A. May, of Rockwood; and the following from Somerset: Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Eicher, and Mr. and Mrs. Scott Nickelson, Mary Snyder, Mrs. Sue Cunningham, John W. Nickelson, Harry J. Nickelson, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Bowman, Mrs. Alice Mankemier, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman R. Gerhard, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob B. Gerhard and Charles F. Cook.
Thanks to John C. Oester for providing this obituary (and typing it in!).
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