My Present Past
A genealogical experience
Clifford Lamotte Nichols
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Background Image:
Chicago Burlington & Quincy Freight House
Galesburg, Illinois
After leaving Wyanet, Illinois in 1874 where he had been a night operator and watchman for the Chicago
Burlington & Quincy Railroad since 1870, Clifford went to Galesburg, Illinois to be a relief operator and agent
for the same road. There he met Mabel Ellen Frans and they were married on February 02, 1879.
Leaving Emporia, Kansas in 1883, Clifford headed to
Topeka, Kansas, where he was promoted by the
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe railroad to
Chief Dispatcher and then Trainmaster.

Edward Engel, his brother-in-law, removed to
Argentine, Kansas as an Agent for the Santa Fe  
in 1883.

Left:
1885 Kansas Census
Clifford L. Nichols
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
Living in Topeka, Kansas, Clifford was only 50 miles from his sister Sadie, who lived in Argentine, Kansas. Also
living in Topeka at this time was Albert and Katherine Hugo. Katherine was the sister of Edward Engel.
Clifford Nichols second child, Jessie would later marry Albert & Katherine's son,
Dr. Charles J. Hugo.
In the summer of 1880 he went to Emporia, Kansas, hired as a dispatcher for the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe
Railroad. During this time the Santa Fe was implementing one of the largest westward expansions in the history
of the state of Kansas. Following Clifford and his family was his sister, Sadie and her husband, Edward J. Engel,
who took a position with the Santa Fe at Emporia as an agent in 1881.
In October of 1883, Clifford was promoted to
Trainmaster of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe
at Topeka, Kansas.

In February of 1886, Clifford was elevated to
Assistant Superintendent, Eastern Division of the
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.

Right:  Entry from Sadie Nichols autograph book
Left:
Edward J. Engel and Wife, Employee Pass for the
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe

Signed by Clifford L. Nichols,
Assistant Superintendent, Eastern Division
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad
1860 Clifford L Nichols
1870 Clifford L Nichols
    Born: November 26, 1856 in Wyanet, Bureau County, Illinois
    Died: May 12, 1929 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
    Burial: Roselawn Cemetery Roseville, Ramsey County, Minnesota


    Married: Mabel Ellen Frans  born: September 20, 1858  died: January 08, 1947
    Date of Marriage: February 02, 1878   Place of Marriage: Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois

    Children:
    1) David Earl     born: July 21, 1880 in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois
                              died: July 06, 1967 in Spokane, Spokane County, Washington
    Married: Maude Frieze Walker  Date of Marriage:

    2) Jessie May   born: May 10, 1882 in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas
                              died: December 19, 1972 in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
    Married: Charles John Hugo  Date of Marriage: October 30, 1913

    3) Ethel Frans   born: March 22, 1889 in Ft. Madison, Lee County, Iowa
                               died: August 18, 1965 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
    Married: George Leverett McCain  Date of Marriage: September 27, 1917

    4) Alan Lamotte born: May 06, 1894 in Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois
                                died: August 17, 1918 in Mirafiori Field, Turin, Italy