Charlotte Mary Huber Nichols - 1903-1997

Charlotte Mary Huber was born March 21, 1903 in Winnebago, Minnesota.  She was the second child of Milton Milo Huber (1873-1965) and Susan Estella Brown (1876-1905).  Her older brother was Philip Huber (1901-1940).

When Charlotte was two years old, her mother died of consumption.  Her father remarried in 1908 to Jessie Wilcox (1883-1970).  Milton and Jessie had a daughter who died at birth in 1909 and sons Leonard (1910-2003) and Walter (1916-2007).

After her mother's death, Charlotte lived with her maternal grandmother, Ann Bottomley Brown (1843-1933).  She was listed as a member of the Brown household in the 1910 census.  In the 1920 census, she was listed with her father's family and attending high school.  According to a 1993 article in the Winnebago Community News, published before Charlotte's 90th birthday, her grandmother saw to it that Charlotte received a proper education, and made arrangements for her to stay in Winnebago during the week in order to attend school in town.

Charlotte's high school graduation picture.  Charlotte sewed her own dress.

After graduating high school in 1921, Charlotte became a teacher.  She attended Mankato Teachers College for two years, commuting between Winnebago and Mankato by train.  She completed her education and taught school, first at the Woodland School and second in a private school, which (according to her daughter Katharine) was actually a home in Huntley, Minnesota where the parents wanted their children home schooled.

On October 4, 1925, Charlotte married Harry O. Nichols (1900-1990).  According to the wedding announcement, it was the joining of "two of Winnebago's most popular young people."  Another article said that Charlotte was "one of our most talented young women and is loved by all."

Harry and Charlotte on their wedding day

Agnes Nichols and Philip Huber, attendants at the wedding

Charlotte and Harry remained in Winnebago, raising four children there:  Marianna (1928-2010), who married Wayne Eiselt (1926-2013); Daniel George (1933-2015) who married Joann Heinrich; Katharine Lee (1937-) who married Merlin Anderson (1937-1996) and David Milton (1938-2011) who married Ann Armstrong (1936-2015).  In addition to raising four children, Charlotte was active in the community.  She was a charter member of the Friendly Garden Club when it formed in 1941, and was still a member in 1993.  The Nichols also attended the Presbyterian Church, and Charlotte served in its circles.  Charlotte also served on the board of the local hospital.  She was an enthusiastic card player, and enjoyed attending the Senior Citizens card club.

After Harry retired from Standard Oil in 1959, the Nichols enjoyed traveling, and were able to see most of the nation, according to Charlotte's memories in the 1993 article.

Charlotte, Harry and their children

Charlotte's children and their spouses

Charlotte died on December 12, 1997.  She was buried alongside her husband at Riverside Cemetery in Winnebago.