Pvt. Adam Nickelson, Co. C

Adam Nickelson was born Nov. 2, 1840 in Milford Twp, Somerset County, PA, in what is currently part of Black Twp, the son of John and Phoebe (Snyder) Nicholson. It is said that Adam changed the spelling of his name during the war.

According the 1860 Federal Census, the Nicholsons had moved to Paddytown in Upper Turkeyfoot Twp, where the family was farming. Adam was listed as a farmer, living in his parents house with 10 other children. One of these children was Adam's older brother Jacob, also a member of Co. C 142nd PVI.

On Aug 26, 1862, Adam Nickelson was mustered into Co. C, 142nd PA Volunteer infantry and was able to muster out with his company on May 29, 1865.

Above is a picture of Adam Nickelson as an older man.

According to Nickelson's obituary, he was married twice. His first wife, Rosetta Eicher, passed away in 1868, while giving birth to their son, William. Adam married his second wife, Maria Snyder, in 1871, and this couple had eight children.

Adam Nickelson lived as an adult on a farm near Draketown in Lower Turkeyfoot Twp and in his obituary, "was a noted hunter, tree grafter and bee man."

Adam Nickelson passed away on Christmas Day, 1934.

His obituary also states that "He had a leading part in cleaning up and beautifying the old portion of the Jersey cemetery." This is the cemetery in which Adam Nickelson now rests, together with Maria.