First Name:
Oliver
Last Name:
Nickerson
Type: Light Keeper
Collection / Donor:
Middle Initial:
A.
Born:
1836
Died:
1911
Place(s)
Place:
Title / Position:
Principal Lighthouse Keeper
Cause of Termination:
Died
Year Started:
1874
Year Departed:
1911
Begin Salary:
500
End Salary:
624
Source:
Register of Lighthouse Keepers
More Information
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Oct 05, 2018
Falmouth Enterprise, Saturday, May 20, 1911; Page: 7
DEATH OF CAPT. OLIVER A. NICKERSON
Keeper of Nobska Light for Thirty-seven Years Expires Suddenly.
After 37 years, of faithful service as keeper of the lighthouse on Nobska Point, Captain Oliver A. Nickerson died suddenly on Saturday, May 13. He was on duty to the last, having stopped the machinery that operates the fog whistle only a few minutes before his death.
Captain Nickerson had been gradually failing in health for several years, but had been able to attend to his duties, although his labors were made as light as possible by his son and other members of his family. After the fog horn was put in operation last year an assistant keeper was appointed, and he has relieved Captain Nickerson of practically all the heavy work.
On the morning of his death, Captain Nickerson was apparently as well as usual. After eating breakfast he walked down to the whistle house, and shortly after, when the fog cleared away, he shut down the apparatus. When found by George Cameron, the assistant keeper, he was sitting in his accustomed place in the whistle house, apparently asleep. Death was due to heart failure.
Oliver A. Nickerson was born in Chatham, Mass., Aug. 22, 1836. He was the son of Oliver A. and Betsy Ryder Nickerson. In November, 1857, he was married to Mary E. Nickerson of Chatham, who survives him. Nine children were born to them, eight of whom—three sons and five daughters—are living. Captain Nickerson was in the employ of the government for many years. Previous to assuming charge of Nobska light 37 years ago, he served as captain on several lightships. The present lighthouse and cottage were erected a few years after he came to Nobska.
Captain Nickerson was of a retiring disposition and a man who attended strictly to his own affairs. Aside from an occasional visit to his old home in Chatham, he scarcely ever left the reservation.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, Rev. George Fisher, rector of the Church of the Messiah, officiating. Interment was in the Village cemetery.