(portrait)

Mildred Ruth Spear

Last updated 20 Feb 2024 in Spear–Johnson Family.

Individual

Born: 15 May 1904 in , , South Dakota, United States

Died: Bef 8 Oct 2012

Father: Ernest Wilfred Spear (1876 – 1960)

Mother: Floy G. Smith (1884 – 1966)

Supporting evidence for:
name

census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, South Dakota, Custer County, Pringle Township (T5R4), enumeration district 17-8, sheet 2A (form/penned) or page 23A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed before 18 August 2018) ⟩ "South Dakota ⟩ Custer ⟩ Pringle ⟩ District 0008" image 3; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2221 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2341955]

Reference Detail: Line 46, dwelling 28

Comment Detail: Source includes [married] name (Mildred R. Nicolls).

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-639-82b: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-639, sheet 82B; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5 May 2021) "⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-639" image 48; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 381 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 5456462 image 204]

Reference Detail: Line 65, house number 46

Comment Detail: Source includes [married] name (Mildred Nicolls).

misc-spear-date-notebook: Spear birth and death date notebook; multiple contributors; privately held

Reference Detail: Page 5 - May Births

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Mildred Ruth Spear).

marriage-nicolls-spear-1925: Record of marriage for Asa Boyd Nicolls and Mildred Ruth Spear (1925); South Dakota, Marriages, 1905-2017, database with images, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com: accessed 30 Mar 2008) ⟩ “1925-1926” image 1621; citing “South Dakota Department of Health; Pierre, South Dakota; South Dakota Marriage Records, 1905-2016

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Mildred Ruth Spear).

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,
birth

census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, South Dakota, Custer County, Pringle Township (T5R4), enumeration district 17-8, sheet 2A (form/penned) or page 23A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed before 18 August 2018) ⟩ "South Dakota ⟩ Custer ⟩ Pringle ⟩ District 0008" image 3; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2221 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2341955]

Reference Detail: Line 46, dwelling 28

Comment Detail: Source includes age (25) and location (South Dakota). Using her age and the official census date of 1 Apr 1930 gives a birth date range from 2 Apr 1904 to 1 Apr 1905.

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-639-82b: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-639, sheet 82B; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5 May 2021) "⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-639" image 48; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 381 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 5456462 image 204]

Reference Detail: Line 65, house number 46

Comment Detail: Source includes age (35) and location (So Dakota). Using her age and the official census date of 1 Apr 1940 gives a birth date range from 2 Apr 1904 to 1 Apr 1905.

misc-spear-date-notebook: Spear birth and death date notebook; multiple contributors; privately held

Reference Detail: Page 5 - May Births

Comment Detail: Source includes date ([May] 15th [...] 1904).

marriage-nicolls-spear-1925: Record of marriage for Asa Boyd Nicolls and Mildred Ruth Spear (1925); South Dakota, Marriages, 1905-2017, database with images, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com: accessed 30 Mar 2008) ⟩ “1925-1926” image 1621; citing “South Dakota Department of Health; Pierre, South Dakota; South Dakota Marriage Records, 1905-2016

Comment Detail: Source includes age (21). Using the marriage date of 22 Sep 1925 gives a birth date range from 23 Sep 1903 to 22 Sep 1904.

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,
death

obituary-ernest-nicolls-2012: Obituary for Ernest E. Nicolls (2012); Dignity Memorial (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/: accessed 22 Sep 2023), Chapel of the Pines (Placerville, California)

Comment Detail: Source includes date of Ernest's death (October 8, 2012) and notes that he was predeceased by his parents.

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,
father

obituary-ernest-spear-1960: Obituary for Ernest Wilfred Spear (1960); “Ernest Spear Rites Conducted Tuesday,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 13 Nov 2022), image “United States ⟩ South Dakota ⟩ Rapid City ⟩ Rapid City Journal ⟩ 1960 ⟩ 12 ⟩ 24” page 3; citing “The Rapid City Daily Journal (Rapid City, South Dakota), 24 Dec 1960 (Saturday), page 3, column 2”

Comment Detail: Source identifies Mrs. Mildred Bradbury as a daughter of Ernest Wilfred Smith.

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,
mother

obituary-floy-spear-1966: Obituary for Floy Spear (1966); “Last Rites Thursday for Mrs. Floy Spear,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 20 Feb 2021), image “United States of America ⟩ South Dakota ⟩ Rapid City ⟩ Rapid City Journal ⟩ 1966 ⟩ 03 ⟩ 18" page 4; citing “The Rapid City Journal (Rapid City, South Dakota), 18 Mar 1966 (Friday), page 4, column 1”

Comment Detail: Source identifies Mrs. Mildred Beebe as a daughter of Floy Spear. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.

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Family

Spouse/Partner: Asa Boyd Nicolls (1900 – 1971)

Married: 22 Sep 1925 in Wessington Springs, Jerauld County, South Dakota, United States

Supporting evidence for:
marriage

census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, South Dakota, Custer County, Pringle Township (T5R4), enumeration district 17-8, sheet 2A (form/penned) or page 23A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed before 18 August 2018) ⟩ "South Dakota ⟩ Custer ⟩ Pringle ⟩ District 0008" image 3; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2221 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2341955]

Reference Detail: Lines 45,46, dwelling 28

Comment Detail: Source identifies Mildred R. Nicolls as the wife of A. Boyd Nicolls.

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-639-82b: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-639, sheet 82B; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5 May 2021) "⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-639" image 48; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 381 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 5456462 image 204]

Reference Detail: Lines 64,65, house number 46

Comment Detail: Source identifies Mildred Nicolls as the wife of Boyd Nicolls.

marriage-nicolls-spear-1925: Record of marriage for Asa Boyd Nicolls and Mildred Ruth Spear (1925); South Dakota, Marriages, 1905-2017, database with images, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com: accessed 30 Mar 2008) ⟩ “1925-1926” image 1621; citing “South Dakota Department of Health; Pierre, South Dakota; South Dakota Marriage Records, 1905-2016

Comment Detail: Source includes location (Wess[ington] Springs, Jerauld County [, South Dakota]) and date (Sept 22, 1925).

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Child: Sylva Jean Nicolls (1926 – 2013)

Child: Ernest Edward "Ernie" Nicolls (1928 – 2012)

Child: Charles Keith Nicolls Sr (1930 – 1987)

Child: {private}

Child: {private}

Miscellaneous Facts

Attributes

Residence: at Wessington Springs, Jerauld County, South Dakota, United States

Residence: at Pringle Township, Custer County, South Dakota, United States

Residence: at Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota, United States

Residence: at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Residence: at Diamond Springs, El Dorado County, California, United States

Residence: at Diamond Springs, El Dorado County, California, United States

Residence: at , , California, United States

Residence: at Chico, Butte County, California, United States

Supporting evidence for:
attributes

marriage-nicolls-spear-1925: Record of marriage for Asa Boyd Nicolls and Mildred Ruth Spear (1925); South Dakota, Marriages, 1905-2017, database with images, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com: accessed 30 Mar 2008) ⟩ “1925-1926” image 1621; citing “South Dakota Department of Health; Pierre, South Dakota; South Dakota Marriage Records, 1905-2016

Comment Detail: Source includes location (Wess[ington] Springs, Jerauld County [, South Dakota]) and marriage date (Sept 22, 1925).

census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, South Dakota, Custer County, Pringle Township (T5R4), enumeration district 17-8, sheet 2A (form/penned) or page 23A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed before 18 August 2018) ⟩ "South Dakota ⟩ Custer ⟩ Pringle ⟩ District 0008" image 3; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2221 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2341955]

Reference Detail: Line 46, dwelling 28

Comment Detail: Source includes census date (1 Apr 1930) and location (Pringle Township, County: Custer, State: South Dakota).

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-639-82b: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-639, sheet 82B; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5 May 2021) "⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-639" image 48; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 381 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 5456462 image 204]

Reference Detail: Line 65, house number 46

Comment Detail: Source includes date (1 Apr 1935) and location (Rapid City, Pennington County, So Dakota).

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-639-82b: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-639, sheet 82B; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5 May 2021) "⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-639" image 48; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 381 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 5456462 image 204]

Reference Detail: Line 65, house number 46

Comment Detail: Source includes date (1 Apr 1940) and location (Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California).

periodical-placerville-student-weds-nebraskan-1950: “Placerville Student Weds Nebraskan,” wedding description; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 22 Sep 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ California ⟩ Sacramento ⟩ The Sacramento Bee ⟩ 1950 ⟩ January ⟩ Jan 21 1950, Sat ⟩ Page 24”, column 2; citing “The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California), 21 Jan 1950 (Saturday), page 24, column 2”

Comment Detail: Source includes date (Jan. 21 [1950]) and location (Diamond Springs [, California]).

periodical-nicolls-favre-1952: “Nicolls-Favre,” wedding description; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 23 Sep 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ California ⟩ Sacramento ⟩ The Sacramento Bee ⟩ 1952 ⟩ August ⟩ Aug 23 1952, Sat ⟩ Page 24”, column 7; citing “The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California), 23 August 1952 (Saturday), page 24, column 7”

Comment Detail: Source includes date ("Friday ... last week" [for a story published Saturday, 23 Aug 1952]) and location (Diamond Springs [, California]). Note that Mildred isn't explicitly mentioned, but is implied by the use of "Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Nicolls.

obituary-ernest-spear-1960: Obituary for Ernest Wilfred Spear (1960); “Ernest Spear Rites Conducted Tuesday,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 13 Nov 2022), image “United States ⟩ South Dakota ⟩ Rapid City ⟩ Rapid City Journal ⟩ 1960 ⟩ 12 ⟩ 24” page 3; citing “The Rapid City Daily Journal (Rapid City, South Dakota), 24 Dec 1960 (Saturday), page 3, column 2”

Comment Detail: Source includes state (California) as of publication on 24 Dec 1960.

obituary-charles-nicolls-1987: Obituary for Charles K. Nicolls Sr. (1987); California, San Joaquin, County Public Library Obituary Index, 1850-1991, record collection, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 23 Sep 2023), "Navarro, Bart - O'Keefe, T. C.", image 1390; DGS 004929726, image 1390; citing "San Joaquin County Public Library, Stockton, California" [Image of obituary from unknown newspaper, but presumably one from the San Joaquin Valley, possibly Stockton, California. The notation "1/27/87, B8:2" is penciled on the printed clipping. This appears to be the date of the obituary in the paper, along with the page number and column number.]

Comment Detail: Source includes date of Charle's death (Jan. 18 [, 1987]) and location (Chico [, California]).

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General Notes and Anecdotes

In 1930, Mildred (Spear) Nicolls' parents, Ernest and Floy Spear, along with their daughter Hannah, were living with their her and husband Asa's family. [census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2a, census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2b]

Supporting evidence for:
general notes

census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, South Dakota, Custer County, Pringle Township (T5R4), enumeration district 17-8, sheet 2A (form/penned) or page 23A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed before 18 August 2018) ⟩ "South Dakota ⟩ Custer ⟩ Pringle ⟩ District 0008" image 3; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2221 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2341955]

Reference Detail: Lines 45-49, dwelling 28

census-us-1930-ps-sd-custer-8-2b: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, South Dakota, Custer County, Pringle Township (T5R4), enumeration district 17-8, sheet 2B (form/penned) or page 23B (stamp sequence, not visible on page); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed before 18 August 2018) ⟩ "South Dakota ⟩ Custer ⟩ Pringle ⟩ District 0008" image 4; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2221 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2341955]

Reference Detail: Line 51-53, dwelling 28

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Research Notes (Conflicts/Spelling/Followup)

FOLLOWUP

Mildred may have been born in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. [research-a-spear-family-history]

Was she the owner of Mildred's Coffee Shop in Loyalton, California in 1954? (Sierra Booster, Loyalton, CA, two issues: 12 Nov 1954, p.19, c.5 and 29 Oct 1954, p.15, c.5; ad for Mildred's Coffee Shop, with the name Mildred Nicholls mentioned in it.)

She may have divorced Asa sometime after 1945, when they are still identified as Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Nicolls in their daughter Sylva's marriage announcement (Elmira Star-Gazette, Elmira, CA, 8 Mar 1945, p.7, c.1)

Marriage to James Bradbury:

She married _____ Bradbury. [obituary-ernest-spear-1960]

She may have married James E. Bradbury (1900-1962) on an unknown date. [research-a-spear-family-history]

Marriage to Clarence Beebe:

She may have married Clarence J. Beebe (-1971) on 4 Feb 1965. [research-a-spear-family-history]

Before or upon marrying Clarence James Beebe, she may have moved to Cheyenne, WY, where Clarence died on 28 Aug 1971. (Ancestry databases: (1) Wyoming, U.S., Marriage Records, 1869-1971, path "Index to Marriage Certificates Bride and Groom ⟩ 1959-1966 ⟩ 1959-1966", image 1569; (2) Wyoming, U.S., Death Records, 1909-1971, path "Dept of Health Vital Records Death Certificates 1971 ⟩ 1971", image 3756)

Marriage to Edward Lee:

She married _____ Lee. This was her last husband before she died. [obituary-charles-nicolls-1987, obituary-ernest-nicolls-2012]

She may have married Edward Darvin Lee (-1989) on 31 Aug 1973. [research-a-spear-family-history]

She may have married Eddy D. Lee on 31 Aug 1974 in Douglas County, Nevada. (Nevada, U.S., Marriage Index, 1956-2005, no image)

Mildred may have died 7 Mar 1999 in Sacramento, Sacramento California, and was buried in East Lawn Cemetery, also in the city of Sacremento. [research-a-spear-family-history]

Supporting evidence for:
research notes

obituary-charles-nicolls-1987: Obituary for Charles K. Nicolls Sr. (1987); California, San Joaquin, County Public Library Obituary Index, 1850-1991, record collection, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 23 Sep 2023), "Navarro, Bart - O'Keefe, T. C.", image 1390; DGS 004929726, image 1390; citing "San Joaquin County Public Library, Stockton, California" [Image of obituary from unknown newspaper, but presumably one from the San Joaquin Valley, possibly Stockton, California. The notation "1/27/87, B8:2" is penciled on the printed clipping. This appears to be the date of the obituary in the paper, along with the page number and column number.]

(no additional information)

obituary-ernest-nicolls-2012: Obituary for Ernest E. Nicolls (2012); Dignity Memorial (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/: accessed 22 Sep 2023), Chapel of the Pines (Placerville, California)

(no additional information)

obituary-ernest-spear-1960: Obituary for Ernest Wilfred Spear (1960); “Ernest Spear Rites Conducted Tuesday,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 13 Nov 2022), image “United States ⟩ South Dakota ⟩ Rapid City ⟩ Rapid City Journal ⟩ 1960 ⟩ 12 ⟩ 24” page 3; citing “The Rapid City Daily Journal (Rapid City, South Dakota), 24 Dec 1960 (Saturday), page 3, column 2”

(no additional information)

research-a-spear-family-history: {private} Engelmann, A Spear Family History, privately printed 1988, updated 2002, 2005; privately held

(no additional information)

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Sources

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