OKGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must
obtain the written consent of OKGenWeb State Coordinator.

Presentation here does not extend any permissions to the public. This
material can not be included in any compilation, publication,
collection, or other reproduction for profit without permission. Files
may be printed or copied for personal use only.
=====================================================================

GEORGE F. NICKEL
Vol. 3, p. 1336
Book has photo of Mr. and Mrs. Nickel

As cashier in the First National Bank of Alva and all associate in
the chain of Oklahoma banks of which Capt. J. A. STINE is president.
George E. Nickel wields no inconsiderable influence and power in
financial circles in Western Oklahoma. He is a pioneer Oklahoman,
having come to Alva a few years after the opening. Mr. Nickel was
born in Missouri, is a polished gentleman, a man of varied interests
and an astute financier. He had experience as a banker in various
places before coming to Oklahoma, particularly at Amarillo, Texas.
Thus he had no difficulty in impressing himself upon the plastic new
community where he has since been located, and has enjoyed
recognition for his work and for his qualities of real leadership.

During territorial days, Mr. Nickel served seven years as a member
of the board of regents of the Oklahoma State Normal School. For four
years, beginning in 1911, he was mayor of Alva. The city never bad a
more progressive administration, and some evidences of it are found
in the fine city building and in the miles of street paving laid
during that time, and also in the installation of an adequate water
and sewerage system. In 1912 he was one of the republican electors
from Oklahoma.

In banking circles Mr. Nickel is a member of the executive committee
of Group 2 of the Oklahoma State Bankers' Association. He is a thirty-
second degree Mason, and as an Elk served for three consecutive terms
as exalted ruler of Alva Lodge No. 1184.

On January 2, 1895, Mr. Nickel married Miss Lena STINE, only
daughter of Capt. J. A. and Emma J. (LANICH)Stine, reference to whom
will be found on other pages of this publication. Mr. and Mrs. Nickel
have shared their prosperity and accomplishment together, and she has
been a most worthy and effective coadjutor in his career. In fact,
she deserves a place among the notable Oklahoma women. She was born
in Burlingame, Kansas, and is a young woman of many and varied
accomplishments. The best of educational opportunities were presented
to her. She graduated in instrumental music at thirteen, and in vocal
music at the age of sixteen. She completed the course in the Amarillo
(Texas) High School in 1892 and in the Southwestern Kansas College of
Winfield in 1893, in vocal and instrumental music. Her
accomplishments have naturally made her a leader in social circles,
and in club work she is president of the City Federation of Clubs of
Alva, and her beautiful home has been the scene of many of the most
interesting and attractive social functions of Alva. Mr. and Mrs.
Nickel are communicants of the Episcopal Church, and she is. also a
director of the First National Bank of Alva. The home of Mr. and Mrs.
Nickel deserves more than passing mention. It is known as "Buena
Vista" and deserves the title not only for the beautiful site which
it occupies on an eminence at the west side of Alva, but the
residence itself constitutes really "a beautiful view." It is
certainly, one of the most modern, if not the most elaborate, home in
the state, having been built at approximately a cost of $65,000. It
stands as a work of rare architectural merit, and there is the
greater interest in it for the general public as well as Mr. and Mrs.
Nickel for the fact that the owners had an important share in the
drawing of the plans and the arrangement of the home in many details.
"Buena Vista" is constructed of buff pressed brick with terra cotta
roof, and its pleasing architectural features are enhanced by the
careful and pleasing arrangement of the grounds and the various
landscape gardening effect.

Typed for OKGenWeb by Nelda Rowland, November 12, 1998.