RAVALLI COUNTY OBITUARIES

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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