[From the Bethany, MO Newspaper; August 16, 1944]

For 20 years, R.R. Nickerson of Bethany was
a teacher in the public schools, and for the last 26
years he has been a farmer, solely.

Now, in a time of emergency and because instructors are sorely needed in their rural schools, he will go back to his old profession temporarily, and will teach the
coming term art Brush Oak, about six miles south
of here.
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Raleigh Robert Nickerson was born 6-1/2 miles northwest of Bethany, Aug 7, 1878, and departed this life at the family home in Bethany on May 23, 1954, of a heart attack at the age of 75 years, nine months, and 16 days.

Raleigh was the oldest of 12 children of the late George W. and Eunice C. (Miller) Nickerson, all of whom lived to be grown.

When he was 11, and helping to make sorghum molasses, his right hand was caught in the cogs of the mill and the hand was amputated except for the thumb.

When he was 20 years old he joined church at Oakland under the Rev. Mr. Gall and later changed his membership to the First Christian church at Bethany, MO, where he remained a faithful member until his death.

He had been a member of the board of this church for 32 years and was President of the Harrison County Council of Churches for 17 years.

He had been teacher and substitute teacher of the men's Sunday School Class for many years.

His main interest besides his family, including his tender devotion to his invalid wife, was his church. He enjoyed working with Christian people.

Raleigh began teaching when he was 19, and taught 21 consecutive years at McCollum, High Point, Mahaska, Star, Globe and Mt. Tabor. He taught spring terms at Pasture and Maple Leaf. In the last decade he also taught at Brush Oak, Youngs and Maize.

He was united in marriage to Mary (Meredith) E. Glenn on May 19, 1904. To this union were born two children, Chloe and Glenn.

He was the first superintendent of state highways in Harrison county. He was chairman of the Harrison county soils and crops conference 17 years, and had been superintendent of the 4-H division of the Northwest Missouri State Fair since its reorganization eight years ago.

Surviving are his devoted wife, Mary, and a daughter, Mrs. Chloe Hart of the home; and a son, Glenn, and a daughter-in-la, Lavena. He also has four granddaughters -- Mrs. Dorothy (Hart) McCormick (and husband, Harold) of Independence, and Joyce, Vera and Lois Karen Nickerson. Also surviving are two brothers, Bert of Bethany, and Stewart of San Diego, ; and three sisters, Mrs. R. L. (Phoebe) Prather of Bethany, Mrs. Charles (Elizabeth) King of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Mrs. Newton (Rosa) Fallis of Vinita, Okla.; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Those preceding him in death were five brothers -- John, Ed, Pearl, William and Clayton; and one sister, Mrs. John (Elsie) Hall.