Notes for JOHANN HENRICH 'HENRY' NICLAS: Henry and Fanny Nickolaus' farm was north of Olds, IA at (address in 2001): 1861 Hwy 78. Just west of where Hwy 78 turns west and James Ave continues north at this intersection.Henry walked from Ontario, Canada to Marshall, Iowa (later renamed Waylan, Iowa due to confusion with Marshalltown, IA) with his cobbler tools. It is said he came to Waylan because there was a Mennonite community there (per Shirley Mathews-Madden). Henry had served and apprenticeship to a cobbler in his early youth. He and Fannie homesteaded a place in Iowa and purchased adjoining acreage from the government. He broke sod by day and cobbled shoes at night for his neighbors.After several years passed, his mother was brought down from Canada to live with them. She was very senile and did not recognize her son, Henry, who she was always begging to see. She would start off to find him, and John and Peter would run after her and hang onto her skirts and delay her until Fannie could catch up and coax her to return home with her.With several small children and a helpless old mother and his wife to care for, the day came when Henry was conscripted for the Army to fight in the Rebellion of 1861 (Civil War). He was allowed to hire another man to go in his stead by paying the man $50.When Henry died, each child received 80 acres of land
and his widow had $10,000 plus a home with her daughter, Amelia, for the rest of her life. She inherited the home farm. (I am assuming this reads that Amelia inherited the home farm). Henry and Fanny Nickolaus are buried in Eicher Cemetery in Washington County north of Olds, IA. Section One, row 17 of the cemetery.More About JOHANN HENRICH 'HENRY' NICLAS:Cause of Death: Cancer of StomachNotes for MRS. FANNY (RICH) NICHOLAUS Perhaps no one has been better known in this community than the late Henry Nickolaus and his family. Mrs. Fannie Nickolaus, nee Rich, died 10 March 1919, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clark Zickafoose, near Olds, aged 79 years and 21 days. Mr. Nickolaus preceded her in death on September 20, 1907.Mrs. Fannie Rich Nickolaus was born in Alsace, France, on February 19, 1840, coming to America in her early life. She was married to Henry Nickolaus on May 23, 1856, the wedding taking place in Wayland, then Marshall. They lived all their life on the border of Washington and Henry counties and were thus members of this community throughout their life. She was the last one of
a family of fifteen to pass away.There were born to these good people ten children, six sons and four daughters. Two of these died in early youth, Lizzie at the age of ten, and Gilbert at the age of 14. Eight children survive the mother.They are John, of the state of Washington;Peter northwest of Wayne;Adaline, who is the wife of Mr. Elmer Hooper of Olds;Wesley, living northwest of Olds;William of Kansas City;Henry of Mt. Pleasant;Lida, wife of Mr. Sam Miller of Olds, andAmelia, wife of Mrs. Clark Zickefoose of near Olds.Besides these eight children living, there are 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren to mourn the loss of the mother and grandmother. Mrs. Nickolaus was a member of the Evangelical church and remained faithful to her confession until her death. The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon, March 13, at 2 p.m. and interment made at the Eicher church cemetery.The services were in charge of Rev. S. M. Musselman and Rev. Hansen of Olds. Rev. Hansen had charge of the services at the house and spoke a very fine tribute on the words, "She hath done what she could," Mark 24:8, and Rev. Musselman spoke at the church on John 14:27, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid," this chapter having been a great comfort to the deceased in her last days especially.The sad part of this day was the fact that besides John, who on account of the great distance could not come at this time of the year, three other members, Henry of Mt. Pleasant, Mrs. Hooper and Mrs. Clark Zickafoose of Olds were not able to attend on account of illness. The remains looked lifelike and were tenderly borne to the grave by six grandsons.
