Person:William Nicholson (29)

'From the Polk County News [Polk Co., TN], March 1909' Singular But Interesting Story of a Remarkable Couple Who Live 'Neath the Shadow of the Chilhowees'

Two miles east of Benton, Tenn. in a substantial country home at the foot of the Chilhowee mountains, reside the subjects of this sketch - Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Nicholson, who on Thursday, March 4, celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary, being married in 1849. This was the day that President Zachary Taylor would have been inaugurated had it not fallen on Sundya. The only living witness to the ceremony is Mr. E.W. Howell, a brother of Mrs. Nicholson, whose maiden name was Helen Marion Howell. At the celebration of their "golden wedding" ten years ago, three witnesses were living, two of whom were present, the third and absent one being the late Judge P.B. Mayfield, of Cleveland, Tenn.

The story of this remarkable couple is simple, but interesting. They were married before either reached their majority - and the fact that they have lived so long and happily together is in the simplicity of their daily lives.

It has been said of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson that they have been "father and mother" to more strangers than any two persons in all of the surrounding community - hence their extensive acquaintance and hosts of friends. Though not greatly blessed with worldly possessions, it has ever been a part and parcel of their lives to minister to the sick and distressed - and to "entertain the stranger within their gate." Approaching the octogenerian period, both are well preserved and very active - neither is satisfied unless they have something to do.

In 1882 Mr. Nicholson was elected trustee of Polk County, which office he filled for three successive terms.

To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson were born ten children, eight boys and two girls, five of whom are now living. They are J.H. Nicholson, a grocer, in Ridgedale; A.B. Nicholson, a letter carrier in this city; Mrs. F.J. Burns of East Chattanooga; N.S. Nicholson of Ridgedale, and R.T. Nicholson, a farmer near Benton, Tenn. Two of the boys died in infancy - and one girl in young womanhood. The other two boys, W.I. and Rev. J.A. Nicholson, each had families of five and eight children respectively. Forty-one grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, besides on son-in-law, five daughters-in-law and six great sons-in-law constituted the family. The dead are five children, ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren and two daughters-in-law. The total lineal descendents living are forty-one, while the dead number 18.