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John William Nicol was born in Bethel, Missouri, February 18, 1875. He was the son of James Aylett Nicol and Louisa Frances Cochran Nicol. In 1882 he moved with his parents, to Nebraska City, Nebraska where he lived until 1891, when he moved to Ruskin, Nebraska. In 1893 the family moved to Simpson, Kansas. He was graduated from the school of Pharmacy of the University of Kansas in 1900. In 1901 and 1902 he was associated with the Fawks and Wycoff Drug Co. in Walsenburg, Colorado. In 1903 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as ship chemist on the U.S.S. Raleigh. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in January 1907. For one year after his discharge he was associated in business with Mr. R.R. LaRoque in Glasco, Kansas.
In 1908 some time was spent on a tour of Old Mexico. Returning in 1909 to Walsenburg he took his old position in the Fawks-Wycoff Drug Store which held for a year. Then in July 1910 purchased from the widow Mrs. Laura Mathews, the half interest in the drug store of the recently deceased Dr. David Mathews, with son J. Glen, who was operating the store, the new firm was established.
The name was changed to "City Pharmacy" and the rights to function as a Rexall Store were secured in a short time.
On September 25, 1911, John William Nicol was united in marriage with Alice Delphine Dumas, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Willis Dumas of 605 High Street, Columbia, Missouri. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Elwang of the First Presbyterian Church of which Miss Dumas was a member.
John Nicol was prominent in the political life of the community, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, and remained the senior partner in the City Pharmacy until other interests caused him to dispose of his share in the firm to George Thurston, Aug. 1, 1932 after exactly twenty-two years in the drug business. Then Mr. Nicol with Andrew Merritt, John Welsby, and Dr. Mallet organized the Colorado and New Mexico Mining and Milling Co., and was placed in charge of the New Mexico mine. He returned home at Christmas time in 1932 and became associated with the Walsenburg Land Development Co. with Mr. James B. Tressler as partner.
John Nicol died July 25, 1933, in Walsenburg, Colorado. Surviving him are his widow, Delphine Dumas Nicol, his sister, Mrs. S.L. Brock of Glasco, Kansas; his brother, Mr. Bert Nicol. Of Kansas City, Missouri; his niece, Dorothy Brock of Glasco, Kansas; and his nephews, Lyle Nicol Brock of Fond-du-Lac, Wisconsin and John and James Brock of Glasco, Kansas.
John Nicol was a member of the Glasco Lodge No. 292 A.F.A.M. from which his membership was transferred to Huerfano Lodge No. 27 A.F.A.M. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Eljebel Temple, No. 2 of Denver, Colo., from which he with a class deunited to organize the Southern Colorado consistory No. 3 and Alkaly Temple. He was also a member of the Royal Alkaly and Naomi Chapter No. 14 O.E.S. and Rocky Mountain Council No. 2 R. & S.M. The upward trend of his life might be epitomized in the words of the beautiful psalm: "As the heart panteth after the water brooks, as panteth my soul after thee; Oh God. Life to him was an adventure, a thing to be lived, not passively, but fully and deeply."
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Attre Smith, pastor of the M.A. Church of Glasco. Interment was made in the Glasco Cemetery. The beautiful Masonic Service was held at the grave. Huajatolla Chapter D.A.R.
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