27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry

Rosters

Picture and Biography submitted by
Janet Nicol
For more information please see her website
Click on the link for David and Mary Blackler Nicol

David M. Nicol came with his parents to Mitchell County in the northeastern part of Iowa, settling with them in Stacyville. On August 2, 1862, at 19 years of age, he joined the Union Army, mustering in as a private with Co. K, 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During the war, he contracted malaria on a mission to escort Confederate prisoners from Vicksburg, Mississippi. By the end of the war, David had risen in rank to corporal.

Celene Nicol Eliason of Nora Springs, Mitchell County, Iowa, sent us the following passage taken from The History of Mitchell County, 1883 and published shortly thereafter. (Celene is the great-granddaughter of William R. Nicol, cousin to David M. Nicol.)

"David M. Nicol, farmer, has been a resident of Union township since the spring of 1862, when he settled on section 35 where he still lives. He was born in the state of New York, July 31, 1843, and left his native place May 6, 1861, when he settled at Stacyville and remained one year. He enlisted Aug.2, 1862, in company K, 27th regiment, Iowa Volunteers, and was in the service three years. On being mustered in at Dubuque, he went to Fort Snelling, Minn., where the regiment remained six weeks, going thence to Cairo, Ill. and Memphis, Tenn., where he boarded a transport for Vicksburg to exchange prisoners. The regiment went into winter quarters at Jackson, Tenn., and the spring of 1863 Mr. Nicol with regiment was detailed as parole guard until August, when they were sent to Helena, and afterwards to Little Rock in September, 1863. In 1864 he went to Meridian, Miss., and aided in destroying sixty miles of railroad. He was with General Banks in the Red River Expedition, and with General Smith through Missouri. He was in the two days fight at Nashville, Tenn., with General Thomas against General Hood, followed the latter to Eastport. In the spring of 1865, they went to New Orleans, thence to Mobile and were at the taking of Forts Blakely and Spanish. The regiment was discharged at Clinton, Iowa, August 16, 1865. Mr. Nicol was married to Mary Blackler, November 26, 1868. She is a native of England, born February 26, 1838. They have four children--Frank T., Albert J., Ivy E. and Mary E. Mr. Nicol owns 400 acres of first class land, and is now engaged in raising stock."

After the war, David married Mary Blackler who had emigrated from England in 1850. They had two sons, Frank Taylor and John Albert. Their two daughters, Ivy Estella and Edna Mary, died at 15 years and 23 years of age, respectively. We have been told by Midge Nicol, wife of Donald D. Nicol, that Edna died of a ruptured appendix. She was a graceful young woman with delicate features and sandy brown hair like her father's. In an 1899 letter from Robert H. Nicol, (Robert B. Nicol's son) to his half-sister, Bessie Nicol, he describes Edna. "You will like Edna. She is a sweet little girl and very pretty, and she plays and sings nicely." Albert John, their brother, in tribute to his sisters, named his first-born daughter Edna Mary and gave Ruby, his third daughter, Ivy's middle name, Estella.

David and Mary's family tree:

David M. Nicol b. July 31, 1843 , in Hammond, New York, St. Lawrence County m. November 26, 1868 in Stacyville, Mitchell County, Iowa d. March 29, 1922, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Father: William May Nicol. Mother: Margaret Pollock.

Mary Blackler b. February 26, 1838, in England d. April 10, 1920, in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California. Mother: Harriet Blackler.

1. Frank Taylor Nicol b. May 5, 1870, in Mitchell County, Iowa d. February 13, 1948, in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California. Spouses: Anna Amelia Groth, Cora Alma Smith, Blanch LaFern Cryder.

2. Albert John Nicol b. May 14, 1871, in Stacyville, Mitchell County, Iowa m. December 26, 1900, to Anna Martinson d. June 24, 1952, in Milford, Iowa, Dickinson County, Iowa. Spouse: Anna Martinson.

3. Ivy Estella Nicol b. October 24, 1873, in Stacyville, Mitchell County, Iowa d. July 01, 1888, in Stacyville, Mitchell County, Iowa.

4. Edna Mary Nicol b. September 18, 1877, in Mitchell County, Iowa d. (burst appendix) August 06, 1900, in Stacyville, Iowa.

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