Jesse Loyd Nichols, son of Edgar William and Lillie (Goodsell) Nichols, was born on November 9th, 1912 in Fillmore County. He died August 1, 1989, at his home in Solana Beach, Ca.
Jess attended Fillmore County District 18 school.
As a youngster, he was engaged in farming on the family farm.
He and his brothers worked for their father, pumping gravel and paving county roads.
In 1936, Jess and his brothers, Robert and Howard, formed Nichols Construction Company.
On November 29, 1933, Jess was united in marriage to Eunice M. Clark of Geneva. To this union were born five children: Richard, Lila, Alice, Edgar and Debra.
On November 26, 1984, Jess was united in marriage to Norma Warner Murrin.
In the 1950’s, Jess branched out into the oil exploration business. He formed Nebraska Drillers, Inc., with several partners. Nebraska Drillers originated as a group of road building contractors from eastern Nebraska, who decided to try the oil business as an investment.
Their first venture was to drill a well in Fillmore County south of Geneva.
They drilled wells in York, Seward and Saunders counties before they decided to try their luck in western Nebraska.
After several dry holes and wells without enough production for commercial uses, Nebraska Drillers tried a new location on the Torgeson farm. Early on the morning of June 27, 1951, a drill stem test recovered over 600 feet of greenish-brown crude. This time there was enough oil to make a well.
The Torgeson No. 1 well was the first producing oil well in Kimball County, and opened up oil exploration in western Nebraska.
In August, 1959, a monument was erected on the Torgeson farm. It was dedicated by Ralph Brooks, Governor of Nebraska.
In 1959, Jess sold his interest in Nichols Brothers Construction company to his brothers. He was spending an increasing amount of time with his oil interests and had opened an office in Denver, Co. He and his family moved to Lakewood, Co.
In 1972 he retired from active participation in the oil business, and moved to Solana Beach, Ca.
Jess then began inventing and formed Water Caddy, Inc., a company to market a small suction pump he invented. The Water Caddy pumps water from large bottles to a faucet and eliminates lifting the heavy bottles into a stand. The Water Caddy is sold throughout the world.
Jess had an interest in flying. In 1942, he bought a small single engine plane, took his first flying lesson and his first airplane ride all on the same day.
He continued his interest in flying for many years. In 1947 he completed arrangement for starting a flying school at Geneva.
He was qualified to fly single and twin-engine planes. He was a member of the Nebraska Flying Farmers.
Jess enjoyed playing cards, especially with his brothers. He was an avid golfer. He made many friends through his activities. He had a lively sense of humor and enjoyed pulling practical jokes on his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Howard and Elvin; two infant brothers and Eunice Nichols.
He is survived by his wife, Norma; sons, Richard and wife, Nancy of Geneva; Edgar and wife, Mari of Colorado Springs, Co.; daughters Lila and husband, George Miller of Manitou Springs, Co., Alice and husband Ross Correnti of Arvada, Co., Debra and husband, Jim Wicke of Arvada, Co.; step-daughters, Susan and husband, Robert Brister of Palm Springs, Ca., Janet and husband, Rick Christie of Riverside, Ca.; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert and Maurice, Sister, Helen (Mrs. Kenneth) Hofferber, all of Geneva; many other relatives and friends.
No funeral services were held. There was cremation with burial at sea on August 5 by family members.
The Nebraska Signal August 10th, 1989 page 11.
*The marker for Jesse is a memorial marker only. *
Jess attended Fillmore County District 18 school.
As a youngster, he was engaged in farming on the family farm.
He and his brothers worked for their father, pumping gravel and paving county roads.
In 1936, Jess and his brothers, Robert and Howard, formed Nichols Construction Company.
On November 29, 1933, Jess was united in marriage to Eunice M. Clark of Geneva. To this union were born five children: Richard, Lila, Alice, Edgar and Debra.
On November 26, 1984, Jess was united in marriage to Norma Warner Murrin.
In the 1950’s, Jess branched out into the oil exploration business. He formed Nebraska Drillers, Inc., with several partners. Nebraska Drillers originated as a group of road building contractors from eastern Nebraska, who decided to try the oil business as an investment.
Their first venture was to drill a well in Fillmore County south of Geneva.
They drilled wells in York, Seward and Saunders counties before they decided to try their luck in western Nebraska.
After several dry holes and wells without enough production for commercial uses, Nebraska Drillers tried a new location on the Torgeson farm. Early on the morning of June 27, 1951, a drill stem test recovered over 600 feet of greenish-brown crude. This time there was enough oil to make a well.
The Torgeson No. 1 well was the first producing oil well in Kimball County, and opened up oil exploration in western Nebraska.
In August, 1959, a monument was erected on the Torgeson farm. It was dedicated by Ralph Brooks, Governor of Nebraska.
In 1959, Jess sold his interest in Nichols Brothers Construction company to his brothers. He was spending an increasing amount of time with his oil interests and had opened an office in Denver, Co. He and his family moved to Lakewood, Co.
In 1972 he retired from active participation in the oil business, and moved to Solana Beach, Ca.
Jess then began inventing and formed Water Caddy, Inc., a company to market a small suction pump he invented. The Water Caddy pumps water from large bottles to a faucet and eliminates lifting the heavy bottles into a stand. The Water Caddy is sold throughout the world.
Jess had an interest in flying. In 1942, he bought a small single engine plane, took his first flying lesson and his first airplane ride all on the same day.
He continued his interest in flying for many years. In 1947 he completed arrangement for starting a flying school at Geneva.
He was qualified to fly single and twin-engine planes. He was a member of the Nebraska Flying Farmers.
Jess enjoyed playing cards, especially with his brothers. He was an avid golfer. He made many friends through his activities. He had a lively sense of humor and enjoyed pulling practical jokes on his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Howard and Elvin; two infant brothers and Eunice Nichols.
He is survived by his wife, Norma; sons, Richard and wife, Nancy of Geneva; Edgar and wife, Mari of Colorado Springs, Co.; daughters Lila and husband, George Miller of Manitou Springs, Co., Alice and husband Ross Correnti of Arvada, Co., Debra and husband, Jim Wicke of Arvada, Co.; step-daughters, Susan and husband, Robert Brister of Palm Springs, Ca., Janet and husband, Rick Christie of Riverside, Ca.; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert and Maurice, Sister, Helen (Mrs. Kenneth) Hofferber, all of Geneva; many other relatives and friends.
No funeral services were held. There was cremation with burial at sea on August 5 by family members.
The Nebraska Signal August 10th, 1989 page 11.
*The marker for Jesse is a memorial marker only. *
Jesse Loyd Nichols, son of Edgar William and Lillie (Goodsell) Nichols, was born on November 9th, 1912 in Fillmore County. He died August 1, 1989, at his home in Solana Beach, Ca.
Jess attended Fillmore County District 18 school.
As a youngster, he was engaged in farming on the family farm.
He and his brothers worked for their father, pumping gravel and paving county roads.
In 1936, Jess and his brothers, Robert and Howard, formed Nichols Construction Company.
On November 29, 1933, Jess was united in marriage to Eunice M. Clark of Geneva. To this union were born five children: Richard, Lila, Alice, Edgar and Debra.
On November 26, 1984, Jess was united in marriage to Norma Warner Murrin.
In the 1950’s, Jess branched out into the oil exploration business. He formed Nebraska Drillers, Inc., with several partners. Nebraska Drillers originated as a group of road building contractors from eastern Nebraska, who decided to try the oil business as an investment.
Their first venture was to drill a well in Fillmore County south of Geneva.
They drilled wells in York, Seward and Saunders counties before they decided to try their luck in western Nebraska.
After several dry holes and wells without enough production for commercial uses, Nebraska Drillers tried a new location on the Torgeson farm. Early on the morning of June 27, 1951, a drill stem test recovered over 600 feet of greenish-brown crude. This time there was enough oil to make a well.
The Torgeson No. 1 well was the first producing oil well in Kimball County, and opened up oil exploration in western Nebraska.
In August, 1959, a monument was erected on the Torgeson farm. It was dedicated by Ralph Brooks, Governor of Nebraska.
In 1959, Jess sold his interest in Nichols Brothers Construction company to his brothers. He was spending an increasing amount of time with his oil interests and had opened an office in Denver, Co. He and his family moved to Lakewood, Co.
In 1972 he retired from active participation in the oil business, and moved to Solana Beach, Ca.
Jess then began inventing and formed Water Caddy, Inc., a company to market a small suction pump he invented. The Water Caddy pumps water from large bottles to a faucet and eliminates lifting the heavy bottles into a stand. The Water Caddy is sold throughout the world.
Jess had an interest in flying. In 1942, he bought a small single engine plane, took his first flying lesson and his first airplane ride all on the same day.
He continued his interest in flying for many years. In 1947 he completed arrangement for starting a flying school at Geneva.
He was qualified to fly single and twin-engine planes. He was a member of the Nebraska Flying Farmers.
Jess enjoyed playing cards, especially with his brothers. He was an avid golfer. He made many friends through his activities. He had a lively sense of humor and enjoyed pulling practical jokes on his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Howard and Elvin; two infant brothers and Eunice Nichols.
He is survived by his wife, Norma; sons, Richard and wife, Nancy of Geneva; Edgar and wife, Mari of Colorado Springs, Co.; daughters Lila and husband, George Miller of Manitou Springs, Co., Alice and husband Ross Correnti of Arvada, Co., Debra and husband, Jim Wicke of Arvada, Co.; step-daughters, Susan and husband, Robert Brister of Palm Springs, Ca., Janet and husband, Rick Christie of Riverside, Ca.; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert and Maurice, Sister, Helen (Mrs. Kenneth) Hofferber, all of Geneva; many other relatives and friends.
No funeral services were held. There was cremation with burial at sea on August 5 by family members.
The Nebraska Signal August 10th, 1989 page 11.
*The marker for Jesse is a memorial marker only. *
Jess attended Fillmore County District 18 school.
As a youngster, he was engaged in farming on the family farm.
He and his brothers worked for their father, pumping gravel and paving county roads.
In 1936, Jess and his brothers, Robert and Howard, formed Nichols Construction Company.
On November 29, 1933, Jess was united in marriage to Eunice M. Clark of Geneva. To this union were born five children: Richard, Lila, Alice, Edgar and Debra.
On November 26, 1984, Jess was united in marriage to Norma Warner Murrin.
In the 1950’s, Jess branched out into the oil exploration business. He formed Nebraska Drillers, Inc., with several partners. Nebraska Drillers originated as a group of road building contractors from eastern Nebraska, who decided to try the oil business as an investment.
Their first venture was to drill a well in Fillmore County south of Geneva.
They drilled wells in York, Seward and Saunders counties before they decided to try their luck in western Nebraska.
After several dry holes and wells without enough production for commercial uses, Nebraska Drillers tried a new location on the Torgeson farm. Early on the morning of June 27, 1951, a drill stem test recovered over 600 feet of greenish-brown crude. This time there was enough oil to make a well.
The Torgeson No. 1 well was the first producing oil well in Kimball County, and opened up oil exploration in western Nebraska.
In August, 1959, a monument was erected on the Torgeson farm. It was dedicated by Ralph Brooks, Governor of Nebraska.
In 1959, Jess sold his interest in Nichols Brothers Construction company to his brothers. He was spending an increasing amount of time with his oil interests and had opened an office in Denver, Co. He and his family moved to Lakewood, Co.
In 1972 he retired from active participation in the oil business, and moved to Solana Beach, Ca.
Jess then began inventing and formed Water Caddy, Inc., a company to market a small suction pump he invented. The Water Caddy pumps water from large bottles to a faucet and eliminates lifting the heavy bottles into a stand. The Water Caddy is sold throughout the world.
Jess had an interest in flying. In 1942, he bought a small single engine plane, took his first flying lesson and his first airplane ride all on the same day.
He continued his interest in flying for many years. In 1947 he completed arrangement for starting a flying school at Geneva.
He was qualified to fly single and twin-engine planes. He was a member of the Nebraska Flying Farmers.
Jess enjoyed playing cards, especially with his brothers. He was an avid golfer. He made many friends through his activities. He had a lively sense of humor and enjoyed pulling practical jokes on his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Howard and Elvin; two infant brothers and Eunice Nichols.
He is survived by his wife, Norma; sons, Richard and wife, Nancy of Geneva; Edgar and wife, Mari of Colorado Springs, Co.; daughters Lila and husband, George Miller of Manitou Springs, Co., Alice and husband Ross Correnti of Arvada, Co., Debra and husband, Jim Wicke of Arvada, Co.; step-daughters, Susan and husband, Robert Brister of Palm Springs, Ca., Janet and husband, Rick Christie of Riverside, Ca.; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert and Maurice, Sister, Helen (Mrs. Kenneth) Hofferber, all of Geneva; many other relatives and friends.
No funeral services were held. There was cremation with burial at sea on August 5 by family members.
The Nebraska Signal August 10th, 1989 page 11.
*The marker for Jesse is a memorial marker only. *
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"BURIED AT SEA"
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Memorial marker only.
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