BIOGRAPHIES: SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "N"
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NEWCOMB, Oril W. engaged in the furniture business at River Falls, also funeral director and embalmer, was born in the township of Clifton, Pierce county, Wis., November 22, 1859. He attended the district schools, the Baker's Institute of River Falls, Wis., the State Normal, from which he was graduated in 1879, and also the State University. After his schooling he worked with a civil engineering corps for about six years. He then taught school in Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties, Wisconsin, for about two years, and spent the summer months in South Dakota on his father's farm. He also took up a homestead adjoining that of his father's. He entered into a partnership with H. G. Haven in 1888 in the furniture business under the firm name of Haven & Newcomb, and that firm continued until December 1, 1891, when they sold out and the following spring, 1892, our subject repurchased the stock and has since conducted the business, his father having an interest with him. In politics Mr. Newcomb is a Republican and was on the county board of supervisors for three years. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the I. O. O. F., the Modern Woodmen of America and United Order of Foresters. He married September 23, 1893, Hortense Rollins, daughter of Samuel and Abbie (Birdwey) Rollins, natives of New York state. Mr. Rollins was a farmer and came to Wisconsin at an early day and settled in Pierce county, Clifton township, where he was engaged in farming many years, afterwards moving to River Falls, Wis., where he died. His wife is still living at about sixty-five years of age, and resides with our subject. Mrs. Newcomb was educated at the district schools and the State Normal. She is the mother of two children, Helen, born January 4, 1895, and Eleanor, born April 14, 1900. They are both attending the State Normal School. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909

NEWCOMB, William M. was born in Orange County, Vermont, September 8, 1826, a son of Isaac and Eliza (Green) Newcomb. Both were natives of Vermont. The father was a farmer and died at the age of seventy-four years. Our subject remained at home until nineteen years old and then went to Lowell, Mass., where he resided for five years, engaging in the manufacture of cotton goods. In 1854 he removed to California and was engaged in mining for three years. In 1857 he located at Clifton, Pierce county, Wis., and there worked at the carpenter's trade and also owned a farm, but did not follow farming to any extent. He remained at Clifton till 1883, when he removed to Spink county, South Dakota, and took up a homestead and lived on it until 1890, when he returned to Pierce county and settled at River Falls, Wis. He has resided here about eighteen years and was superintendent and sexton of the Greenwood Cemetery for twelve years. In 1902 or 1903 he entered into the furniture business with his son, O. W. Newcomb, and they are doing a good business on Main street, where they carry a full assortment of all kinds of furniture and are dealing with the best people of the county. He is a member of the Congregational church. He was deacon of the River Falls church for a great many years. He was a member of the town board of Clifton Township for a long term of years, assessor of that town for three years, and justice of the peace for six years. In his political views he is a Republican. On July 21, 1857, he married Martha A. Currier, born in New Hampshire on December 17, 1831, daughter of James and Martha D. (Blood) Currier. Her father was a tanner by trade and followed it and at the same time did a little farming, as well as making shoes. He died at Lowell, Mass., and his widow afterwards moved to Wisconsin and lived with her children until she died in 1883, at the age of eighty-two years. She left three children. Mrs. Newcomb was educated at Lowell, Mass., and remained at home, until her marriage. She is a member of the Congregational church. Of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb two are still living. Oril W. and Orie G.; Erva died in infancy and Ola died at the age of eight years. Orie G. was born March 9, 1866, and married Elva Edds. He resides at Andover, S. Dak., and deals in grain, having an elevator at that place. They have four children, Jennie, Winnefield, Clayton and Lynn. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909.

NICHOLS, Joseph was born in Braintree, Vt., March 16, 1813. He was a son of Rev. Ammi Nichols, a distinguished clergyman of the Congregational church of that place. His ancestry was of the best type of Puritan blood, and from such ancestry he inherited principles of strict integrity and Christian faith. In 1835 he was married in Braintree to Lydia W. Pratt. In 1846 he removed to Dover, Ill., where he resided eight years, coming to River Falls in 1854. He was among the foremost to encourage schools. Before the formation of a school district in the valley, he united with a few others in building a schoolhouse by private subscription. For twenty years he was district treasurer, and what was quite remarkable, for many of the last years, was not asked to give bonds, as every ovter felt that his word was security enough. He and his wife were among the original members of the Congregational church of River Falls. Mr. Nichols for many years was the choir leader of the church. He was emphatically a man of song, and his services were of incalculable value. He continued in this work until his death, August 9, 1881, a service of over fifty years. Mrs. Nichols was born in Braintree, Mass., December 18, 1809. At an early age she became a member of the Congregational church, and was possessed of a deep religious character. She was an earnest, helpful woman, faithful in every relation in life. To these people were born six children, three of whom are still living, Theodore W. Nichols was married Persis D. Rhoads. One son was born to them, Roy Theodore. Lydia Elmira, wife of O. S. Powell; Sarah Hayden, wife of J. Albert Tozer. Once child was born to them, Josephine Elmira. Reference: taken from History of the St. Croix Valley published in 1909.

NICHOLS, George W. was born in 1785 at Braintree, Vt. His father was a soldier in the Revolution. At the age of seventeen he enlisted and served in the War of 1812. He resided in Vermont fifty years, in Massachusetts ten years and in 1855 came to River Falls, where he engaged in farming until he was eighty years of age. The Grand Army of the Republic post at River Falls has his name. He died in 1887. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909

NILES, John Russell, was a native of Mt. Vernon, Me., born September 19, 1800, and lived in Detroit, Me., for about twenty years, then came to Diamond Bluff, Wis., in 1854, where he continued to live until the time of his death. October 24, 1822, he married Betsey J. Jacobs, at Mt. Vernon, Me., and was the father of nine children, three of whom are now living. Sarah J. married Alden Washburn. She was born in Mr. Vernon, August 25, 1824, and died in Calais, Me. Esther A. was born July 12, 1827, married David Y. Wethern, and now lives in Diamond Bluff, Wis. Betsey Jane was born September 8, 1829, married S. A. Hobbs and died April 22, 1853; John R. was born July 25, 1831, and died December 20 of the same year; John R., born April 10, 1833, is still living at Gladstone, Ore.; Edwin Niles was born May 24, 1840; Mary was born January 8, 1843, married A. R. Mere, and died January 31, 1901. Mr. Niles was a Freewill Baptist and was the first man to sign the constitution of the local church. He was a Republican in politics. His death occurred October 18, 1868, and his wife passed away in 1870. Edwin Niles first saw the light of day in Detroit, Me. He received his education in his native town and came to Pierce County with his parents, engaging in the wood business, farming and cattle raising. He has continued to live in his present home, which is on the east side of Diamond Bluff township, owning eighty acres of good land. He was married November 23, 1864, in Diamond Bluff township, to Eliza Buck, daughter of William and Jerusha Buck, of Athens, O., by whom he had six children, four of whom are living-Ellie M. was born March 9, 1866, and is now Mrs. M. L. Sparks, of Diamon Bluff; Edmond Meron was born January 3, 1868, and is a lawyer of Livingston, Mont.; William Russell was born February 27, 1870, and works in the sawmill department of a firm at Doty, Wash.; Harry Lee, born November 23, 1872, is at Livingston, Mont.; Millie, born May 21, 1874, was drowned in the wreck of the Sea Wing, of which mention is found in this history; Ruthven died a few hours after birth, April 13, 1876, and Mrs. Niles died at the same time Mr. Niles is clerk of the local Freewill Baptist church, which position he has occupied for twenty years, being also one of the deacons. (Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)

NOLL, John, ( Civil War) was born in Germany, April 24, 1835. He was educated at the place of his birth, and in 1861 came to the United States, settling in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he purchased thirty acres of land, lived until 1864, when he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. He took part in many of the important battles, and was discharged at Brownsville, Texas, in 1866, returning to his home in Wisconsin. In 1872 he sold his farm in Fond du Lac county, and removed to Pierce county, Wisconsin, settling in Harland township on eighty acres which he had bought. Here he lived until 1903, when he sold his farm and is now leading a retired life at Ellsworth, Wis. He is a member of the G. A. R. post of Ellsworth, and the German Catholic Church. He votes the Republican ticket. He was wedded in Germany to Anna Einig February 5, 1861, and they have had ten children, six of whom are still living, to wit: Peter is deceased. Clara is the wife of William Schiefer, of Chicago. They have three children, Anna, Raymond and William. Peter resides in Minnesota. He married Rose Lamond, and four children have been the issue of this union, Richard, William, Edmund and Irene. Rose is deceased. Katherine married Richard Flinn, of Chicago, and they have one child, William. Mary married William Meyer. She died and left three children, John, Margaret and Helen. Joseph is deceased. Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Brenner. They have five children, Leona, Agnes, Helen, Arthur, and Francis. John married Theresa Conroy. By this union three children have been born Theresa, Agnes, and Rosella. Karoline is the wife of Anton Daniels, of Chicago. They have one child, Eleanora. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)


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