Currence B. Nichols, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Currence B. Nichols
OBITUARY.
Mrs. C. B. Nichols; the subject of this sketch, died on the 28th of April at her home in Hebron, Ind.
Mrs. Currence B. Nichols was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1811, and was a daughter of Charles and Deborah Gregg. While a mere girl she made a profession of her faith in Christ and united with the M. E. church. In 1835 she was married to S. C. Beebe, of Tompkins county, Ind. She shared the privations and hardships of pioneer life jointly with her husband about 4 years in her western home, when he was removed by death. During this period another child had been born, and a few days after the death of the husband and father, still another, and thus 4 little ones remained dependent on the brave efforts of the widowed mother. How well she performed her part in the noble struggle for the support of her children, many living witnesses can testify. Her husband having been a member of the Presbyterian church, she had also united with the church, she had also united with the church of his choice, having her membership at Salem, where for a number of years she enjoed the pastoral labors and ministerial instructions of the late J. C. Brown, D. D., of Valparaiso. Her house at this time in Porter township,, was often thrown open for religious services. Her younger children first heard the gospel at the fireside of the home. The gospel made plain and emphatic by the mother's quiet and orderly walk, made impressions which the toils and cares of manhood have not obliterated. About the year 1858 her health failed and for many months she lay expecting death at any moment. But even here her courage never forsook her, for she had obtained by the life of faith a deep insight into the invisible things of God, and now often exhorted her children and neighbors to seek the comforts of religion. Later she partially recovered her health so as to be able to minister long and faithfully at the bedside of her only daughter, Mrs. Helen S. Thompson, who died in Chicago May 1st, 1866. In 1873 she was again united in marriage with Mr. W. A. Nichols, long prominently connected with the M. E. church at Hickory Point and Hebron. She again transferred her membership from the Presbyterian to the church of her early choice, of which she remained a member at Hebron up to the time of her death. For a period of 10 years this union with Father Nichols was an unbroken one. During that time what a joy it has been to the children of both families to cross the threshold of the little home in Hebron and greet the old pilgrims. Many times have the feet of the writer turned aside to enter the gate whose very click seemed to be a welcome. How warm the greetings within, how eager the grasp of the wasted hands, how sweet the converse, how grateful the coming prayer, and the "good night" at bed-time, calling back childhood and the little bed of long ago. Ah! These were 10 beautiful years. Fitting conclusion to story of a toilsome and useful life. Her delight in caring for something that had life amounted to a passion. Never in depth of winter did one visit her room except to find there some flower or tender plant that required her care and thought. She had a deep and fervent love for the beautiful. Suddenly her worked ceased, friends are summoned, 2 sons arrive with their wives and children and all are spoken to and recognized, and then the final struggle is entered upon which terminated as indicated above. Her husband and 3 sons remain to comfort one another in a common sorrow. Her funeral occurred at the village church in Hebron, the sermon by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Dunham, from the words, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, * * and their works do follow them," was calculated to make a deep impression on the vast congregation who listened with close attention. Her mortal remains were deposited by the side of the dust of the husband of her youth in the beautiful cemetery at Salem. The heart goes out temderly toward the aged bereaved one now left alone for the second time, and yet not alone, for "He hath said, I will never leave thee nor foresake thee."
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: May 10, 1883
Volume Number: 27
Issue Number: 19
Page: 4
Column(s): 3
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook