Harry W. Nickey, Sr., prominent figure in local public affairs more than forty years, and founder of the first modern cleaning and dyeing establishment in Springfield, died at 12:20 p.m. yesterday at his residence, 1730 East Capitol avenue.
Mr. Nickey's death followed a long illness. He was 69 years old. His death ended a long career in Springfield business circles which began when he entered employment as an apprentice in a tailor shop owned by Frank T. Kuhl. In 1891 he began working for the Springfield Woolen Mills, which occupied part of the present site of the Armbruster Tent and Awning Co. on South Fourth street.
Later, he went to Jacksonville, where he opened a cleaning establishment, remaining in that city for a year and a half. He returned to Springfield and opened a cleaning business in the backyard of his present home which he conducted for about ten years until his present firm was established at 1801 East Capitol avenue.
He was the oldest active living member of the National Association of Dyers and Cleaners, and served as a former member of the nation board of that organization. He was also former president of the Illinois Dyers and Cleaners association.
In the field of public service Mr. Nickey was a member of the Sangamon county board of supervisors for four terms; a member of the school board from 1923 to 1929, and was president of that body for two terms.
He was also active in lodge and club circles, being a member of St. Paul's Masonic lodge No. 500, A.F.& A.M., Elwood Commandery Knights Templar, Ansar Shrine, the Royal Order of Jesters, Masonic chapter, Elks club, Optimist club and Island Bay Yacht club.
He was born Jan. 29, 1873, on a farm near Irving in Montgomery county, and came to Springfield with his parents when he was 12 years old. He married Miss Grace Duff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Duff, pioneer residents of Springfield, on July 30, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Nickey have resided in the home since that time.
His forbears came from Germany and settled near Bethlehem, Pa., about 1700. The name underwent several changes in succeeding years, and was once spelled Niecke. Of the Moravian faith, the family left Germany because of religious persecution. Both his parents were ordained Methodist ministers and his mother preached Sunday services in the city jail a number of years ago.
Surviving are his wife; a son, Harry W. Nickey Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. R. DeLancey Davis, and six sisters, Mrs. O.W. Reaser, Mrs. Oscar H. Becker, Mrs. Harry Watson, Mrs. P.J. McKee, Mrs. E.S. Bishop and Mrs. Edyth N. Reynolds, all of city; and a grandson, Harry Walter Nickey III.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at Bisch Memorial home. Rev. H. M. Hildebrandt will officiate and burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery.
Daily Illinois State Journal
February 4, 1942, Wednesday, page 4
Mr. Nickey's death followed a long illness. He was 69 years old. His death ended a long career in Springfield business circles which began when he entered employment as an apprentice in a tailor shop owned by Frank T. Kuhl. In 1891 he began working for the Springfield Woolen Mills, which occupied part of the present site of the Armbruster Tent and Awning Co. on South Fourth street.
Later, he went to Jacksonville, where he opened a cleaning establishment, remaining in that city for a year and a half. He returned to Springfield and opened a cleaning business in the backyard of his present home which he conducted for about ten years until his present firm was established at 1801 East Capitol avenue.
He was the oldest active living member of the National Association of Dyers and Cleaners, and served as a former member of the nation board of that organization. He was also former president of the Illinois Dyers and Cleaners association.
In the field of public service Mr. Nickey was a member of the Sangamon county board of supervisors for four terms; a member of the school board from 1923 to 1929, and was president of that body for two terms.
He was also active in lodge and club circles, being a member of St. Paul's Masonic lodge No. 500, A.F.& A.M., Elwood Commandery Knights Templar, Ansar Shrine, the Royal Order of Jesters, Masonic chapter, Elks club, Optimist club and Island Bay Yacht club.
He was born Jan. 29, 1873, on a farm near Irving in Montgomery county, and came to Springfield with his parents when he was 12 years old. He married Miss Grace Duff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Duff, pioneer residents of Springfield, on July 30, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Nickey have resided in the home since that time.
His forbears came from Germany and settled near Bethlehem, Pa., about 1700. The name underwent several changes in succeeding years, and was once spelled Niecke. Of the Moravian faith, the family left Germany because of religious persecution. Both his parents were ordained Methodist ministers and his mother preached Sunday services in the city jail a number of years ago.
Surviving are his wife; a son, Harry W. Nickey Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. R. DeLancey Davis, and six sisters, Mrs. O.W. Reaser, Mrs. Oscar H. Becker, Mrs. Harry Watson, Mrs. P.J. McKee, Mrs. E.S. Bishop and Mrs. Edyth N. Reynolds, all of city; and a grandson, Harry Walter Nickey III.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at Bisch Memorial home. Rev. H. M. Hildebrandt will officiate and burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery.
Daily Illinois State Journal
February 4, 1942, Wednesday, page 4
Harry W. Nickey, Sr., prominent figure in local public affairs more than forty years, and founder of the first modern cleaning and dyeing establishment in Springfield, died at 12:20 p.m. yesterday at his residence, 1730 East Capitol avenue.
Mr. Nickey's death followed a long illness. He was 69 years old. His death ended a long career in Springfield business circles which began when he entered employment as an apprentice in a tailor shop owned by Frank T. Kuhl. In 1891 he began working for the Springfield Woolen Mills, which occupied part of the present site of the Armbruster Tent and Awning Co. on South Fourth street.
Later, he went to Jacksonville, where he opened a cleaning establishment, remaining in that city for a year and a half. He returned to Springfield and opened a cleaning business in the backyard of his present home which he conducted for about ten years until his present firm was established at 1801 East Capitol avenue.
He was the oldest active living member of the National Association of Dyers and Cleaners, and served as a former member of the nation board of that organization. He was also former president of the Illinois Dyers and Cleaners association.
In the field of public service Mr. Nickey was a member of the Sangamon county board of supervisors for four terms; a member of the school board from 1923 to 1929, and was president of that body for two terms.
He was also active in lodge and club circles, being a member of St. Paul's Masonic lodge No. 500, A.F.& A.M., Elwood Commandery Knights Templar, Ansar Shrine, the Royal Order of Jesters, Masonic chapter, Elks club, Optimist club and Island Bay Yacht club.
He was born Jan. 29, 1873, on a farm near Irving in Montgomery county, and came to Springfield with his parents when he was 12 years old. He married Miss Grace Duff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Duff, pioneer residents of Springfield, on July 30, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Nickey have resided in the home since that time.
His forbears came from Germany and settled near Bethlehem, Pa., about 1700. The name underwent several changes in succeeding years, and was once spelled Niecke. Of the Moravian faith, the family left Germany because of religious persecution. Both his parents were ordained Methodist ministers and his mother preached Sunday services in the city jail a number of years ago.
Surviving are his wife; a son, Harry W. Nickey Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. R. DeLancey Davis, and six sisters, Mrs. O.W. Reaser, Mrs. Oscar H. Becker, Mrs. Harry Watson, Mrs. P.J. McKee, Mrs. E.S. Bishop and Mrs. Edyth N. Reynolds, all of city; and a grandson, Harry Walter Nickey III.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at Bisch Memorial home. Rev. H. M. Hildebrandt will officiate and burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery.
Daily Illinois State Journal
February 4, 1942, Wednesday, page 4
Mr. Nickey's death followed a long illness. He was 69 years old. His death ended a long career in Springfield business circles which began when he entered employment as an apprentice in a tailor shop owned by Frank T. Kuhl. In 1891 he began working for the Springfield Woolen Mills, which occupied part of the present site of the Armbruster Tent and Awning Co. on South Fourth street.
Later, he went to Jacksonville, where he opened a cleaning establishment, remaining in that city for a year and a half. He returned to Springfield and opened a cleaning business in the backyard of his present home which he conducted for about ten years until his present firm was established at 1801 East Capitol avenue.
He was the oldest active living member of the National Association of Dyers and Cleaners, and served as a former member of the nation board of that organization. He was also former president of the Illinois Dyers and Cleaners association.
In the field of public service Mr. Nickey was a member of the Sangamon county board of supervisors for four terms; a member of the school board from 1923 to 1929, and was president of that body for two terms.
He was also active in lodge and club circles, being a member of St. Paul's Masonic lodge No. 500, A.F.& A.M., Elwood Commandery Knights Templar, Ansar Shrine, the Royal Order of Jesters, Masonic chapter, Elks club, Optimist club and Island Bay Yacht club.
He was born Jan. 29, 1873, on a farm near Irving in Montgomery county, and came to Springfield with his parents when he was 12 years old. He married Miss Grace Duff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Duff, pioneer residents of Springfield, on July 30, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Nickey have resided in the home since that time.
His forbears came from Germany and settled near Bethlehem, Pa., about 1700. The name underwent several changes in succeeding years, and was once spelled Niecke. Of the Moravian faith, the family left Germany because of religious persecution. Both his parents were ordained Methodist ministers and his mother preached Sunday services in the city jail a number of years ago.
Surviving are his wife; a son, Harry W. Nickey Jr.; a daughter, Mrs. R. DeLancey Davis, and six sisters, Mrs. O.W. Reaser, Mrs. Oscar H. Becker, Mrs. Harry Watson, Mrs. P.J. McKee, Mrs. E.S. Bishop and Mrs. Edyth N. Reynolds, all of city; and a grandson, Harry Walter Nickey III.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at Bisch Memorial home. Rev. H. M. Hildebrandt will officiate and burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery.
Daily Illinois State Journal
February 4, 1942, Wednesday, page 4
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