Harry Orville Nichols- 1900-1990

Harry O. Nichols, was born on March 21, 1900 in Winnebago, Minnesota.  He was the oldest child and only son of Daniel Merton Nichols (1880-1959) and Martha Louise Groppel (1879-1954).  His sisters were Irene (1903-1954), Agnes (1909-2007), Lucille (1911-1986) and Audrey (1917-1980).

Harry, Irene and Agnes

Harry registered for the World War I draft, but was not called to serve.  At the time he registered (September 1918), he was 18 years old and was working as a farm laborer at the home of W.A. Nichols in Amboy, Minnesota. That was most likely his uncle, William Amos Nichols, who was listed as a farmer in Amboy on his WWI draft registration card.

Draft Registration Card

Harry graduated from Winnebago High School in 1920.  On October 4, 1925, he married Charlotte Mary Huber, the daughter of Milton Milo Huber and Susan Estella Brown.   They were married on a Sunday morning at the home of Reverend Deal and were attended by Harry's sister Agnes Nichols and Charlotte's brother Philip Huber.  According to the newspaper clipping, they took a short honeymoon by auto to "points not made known."  They returned to Winnebago and made their home there for the rest of their lives, celebrating 64  wedding anniversaries.

Harry worked for Standard Oil for 35 years, retiring in 1959.  He was also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and a volunteer firefighter.  He and Charlotte spent many hours at their home gardening, raising both vegetables and flowers.

Harry and Charlotte had four children over the span of 10 years.   Marianna (1928-2010), Daniel George (1933-2015), Katharine Lee (1937- ),  and David Milton (1938-2011).  They had 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren at the time of his death.

Charlotte, Katharine, Marianna, Harry, Daniel and David

Harry died February 4, 1990, a little more than a month short of his 90th birthday.  He is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Winnebago, Minnesota.