George Delbert Nichols Family Group

George Delbert Nichols

Born: 22 Mar 1859 in Miller, Lawrence, Ohio

Married: 28 Sep 1883 to Martha Ellen (Mattie) Johnson in Alexander County, IL

Lived in: Miller, Ohio and Cairo, IL

Died: 8 Feb 1929 in Cairo, Alexander, IL

Buried: 10 Feb 1929 in Miller Cemetery, Miller, Lawrence, Ohio

Spouse:

Martha Ellen (Mattie) Johnson

Born: 4 Apr 1867 in Tennessee

Died: 8 Jan 1937 in Cairo, Alexander, IL

Buried: 10 Jan 1937 in Miller Cemetery, Miller, Lawrence, Ohio

Child #1

Myrtle Nichols

Born: about 1884 in Cairo, Alexander, IL

Died: before age 1

Child #2

Terrance Vincent Nichols

Born: Jan or Jun 1886 in Cairo, Alexander, IL

Married: Eva Lillian Burns (born 12 Feb 1888; died 03 Nov 1969; buried 06 Nov 1969 in St Peters Cemetery, St Louis, MO)

Died: 11 Nov 1964 in St Louis, MO

Buried: 18 Nov 1964 in St Peters Cemetery, St Louis, MO

Child #3

Albert Lee Nichols

Born: 25 May 1888 in Cairo, Alexander, IL
Married: 17 Apr 1916 in Topeka, Shawnee, Kansas to Pansy Buchanan (born 5 Sep 1897 in Ava, Douglas, MO; died 01 Oct 1952 in St Louis, MO)

Died: 30 May 1946 in St Louis, MO

Cremated: Valhalla Crematorium in St Louis, MO

Child #4

Raymond Nichols

Born: about 1890 in Cairo, Alexander, IL

Died: about 1892 in Cairo, Alexander, IL

Child #5

Vera Evelyn Nichols

Born: 9 Nov 1892 in Cairo, Alexander, IL

Married: 27 Dec 1923 in St Louis, MO to Sidney Thomas Rumsey (born 25 Jun 1899; died Feb 1987)

Died: Mar 1979 in St Louis, MO

Notes on George Delbert Nichols

Vera Nichols Rumsey, George Delbert's daughter, left my mother some pages of

family history she wrote. In them, she wrote this about her father:

"They named him George Adelbert. He did not like Adelbert so they called him in early youth "Bert Nichols". He signed his name George Delbert Nichols, as Grandma allowed him to dismiss the A on Adelbert, but insisted it was Geo. Delbert. So I guess that is why he started plain Bert. To everyone he was Bert Nichols but his obituary read George D. Nichols (Bert) died---etc. He and my mother Mattie Nichols are buried at Millers, Ohio. the graveyard of the Nichols family."

"Of course you all remember Alvia Nichols, who visited St Louis, Mo. He is the son of Frank Nichols, brother to Bert Nichols, Cairo, Ill. Alvia lived in Huntington, W. Va. When Dad was taken to Millers to be buried (Millers is across the river from Huntington, W. Va.), Alvia took the body to his Methodist church in Huntington, and the police force there all turned out to escort the body to the church. Mamma said the preacher gave a wonderful talk and said any man who was on the police force for 37 years deserved the best."

Also in the history: "George Delbert, "Bert" was a Police Officer for 37 years in Cairo. worked from six am to 6 pm. Was just plain, solid, honest. Worked every day, never had Sunday off. Had no time to go to church. He was 6 ft. one inch tall, beautiful blue eyes, his teeth so straight and strong that he lifted me from the floor by his teeth while I was in a blanket, weighing 110."

"Bert and Mattie Nichols were buried in the Nichols family lot at Millers, Ohio, where Sarah Francis and Joseph, parents of Bert are buried."

I took a copy of his obituary to my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary party. Uncle Bert told me how his grandpa used to throw the billy club at a man's feet. It would tangle up his feet and make him fall, thus allowing him to get caught.

George Delbert Nichols Obituary

From the Saturday, February 9, 1929 edition of the Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin:

'Bert' Nichols, Veteran Police Officer, Passes

Served City For 37 Years Faithfully As Patrolman

No more picturesque character ever walked a police beat in Cairo than "Bert" Nichols during his service over a third of a century. He was recognized by his superior officers and his compatriots as a man and officer of absolute honesty and a "square shooter" in every sense of the word. Through changing administrations and upheaval in the police department, "Bert" continued to walk his beat unscathed.

"Bert's" theory was that a good policeman was not always the one who made the most arrests. He believed it was an officer's duty to give friendly advice to bring about the peaceful settlement of neighborhood quarrels and avoid arrests if possible in these lesser disturbances, although he showed no such leniency to the real criminal.

Absolutely Fearless

Fearless almost to the degree of foolhardiness, "Bert" was ever an enigma and a source of wonderment to his brother officers. He was careless to a fault in what is considered the most important factor contributing to an officer's personal safety, that of being properly armed. Cairo chiefs of the police department down through the decades wore themselves down trying to make Patrolman Nichols carry a gun regularly, but always without success.

This officer would go out after a dangerous criminal with only his club and at times would be without this lowly weapon. Many tales as to his prowess with the "billy" were told by his brother officers, many of whom have long been dead. In his younger days when he was strong physically and a perfect example of health and vigor, he was credited with the ability to throw his club with as much accuracy as some officers could shoot.

Great Physical Vigor

His physical endurance was a puzzle to other officers. During the coldest weather he would not wear an overcoat or gloves, and hated to don these encumbering accoutrements even after a long period of illness three years ago, from which he had never been expected to recover. He was a close friend of Uncle Abe Houglas, who had also served most of his life on the Cairo police force before he resigned as desk clerk at the beginning of the present city administration.

Patrolman Nichols was widely read and could talk with an uncanny understanding on all current subjects, and was hard to beat in an argument. His favorite subject was Socialism, which he strongly defended in countless discussions with brother officers and citizens.

Funeral Today

Funeral services for this veteran police officer, who died Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at his home, 2310 Washington avenue, were held this afternoon at 4:15 o'clock at the residence, the Rev. W. C. Hart, pastor of the Cairo Baptist church, officiating.

The body will be taken to Millers, O., former home of Mr. Nichols, leaving here at 5:30 o'clock this evening, and interment probably will be made there Monday.

Members of the police force served as active pallbearers at the funeral, and the services were largely attended.