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Mrs Nichols Retirement tribute Sunday, March 31. 1985
Alyce Lavinia Nichols as born in Palmyra, Missouri on May 17, 1899 as the thrid child of Katie and John Smiley. She attended public school in Missouri before coming to Chiciago, Illinois. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the Armor Indtitute, which is now a part of IIT; a Bachelor of Art degree in Piano and Organ from the Chicago Musical College, where she studied with Rudolph Ganz, and did graduate work at the American Conservatory of Music. Rudolph Ganz (1877-1972) was a Swiss-born, a pianist, cellist and composer. Dr. Ganz died in 1972 at age 95.
Rudolph Ganz (1877-1972) was a Swiss-born, a pianist, cellist and composer. From her marriage to Austin Martin she had five children. She was subsequently widowed by Otto Meine and Shelby Nichols.
She worked with the United State Treasury Department until they moved from Chicago. She taught both piano and organ and was the organist for many Chicago churches, including over ten years at Saint Mary's A.M.E. Church. She was an active member of Eighth Church of Christ, Scientists and served as it's organist for over forty years until her retirement in 1985. She accompanied many soloist and played for the Mundy Jubilee Singers, a group sponsored by the WPA. She was a member of the American Guild of Organist, the Chicago Negro Opera Guild, the Chicago branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians; and the Chicago Club of Women Organist.
Alyce and her sister Della Hudson was at the The National DuSable Memorial Society, Inc twelfth annual installation tea on Sunday June 9, 1940 at the home of Mrs. Annie E. Oliver, 5323 South Michigan avenue, who is the permament president. Mesdames Della Hudson was installed as parliamentarian and Alyce Martin was installed as chairman of program committee.
1900 United States Federal Census Smiley family
1900 Census Twelfth Ceunus of The United States
Schedule No. 1 Population, State Missouri, Liberty township
Supervisor District No. 147, Enumeration District No. 94, sheet 5
Name of city, town: Palmyra City, Ward 1
Name: John Smiley
Home in 1900: Palmyra, Marion, Missouri
Age: 44
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's Name: Katie J
Race: Black
Occupation: Laborer
Can read: Yes
Can write: Yes
Can speak English: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
John Smiley 44
Katie J Smiley 36
Rosa E Smiley 17
Della M Smiley 13
Alice L Smiley 1 (note: census taker spelled name as Alice instead of Alyce.)
Name: Katie J Smiley
Home in 1900: Palmyra, Marion, Missouri
Age: 36
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1864 image Aug 1863
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Wife
Spouse's Name: John
Race: Black
Can read: Yes
Can write: Yes
Can speak English: Yes
Name: Rosa E Smiley
Home in 1900: Palmyra, Marion, Missouri
Age: 17
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1883 image Oct 1882
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's Name: John
Mother's Name: Katie J
Race: Black
Occupation: Teacher business
Can read: Yes
Can write: Yes
Can speak English: Yes
Name: Della M Smiley
Home in 1900: Palmyra, Marion, Missouri
Age: 13
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1887 image Feb 1887
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's Name: John
Mother's Name: Katie J
Race: Black
Occupation: at School
School years: 9 years
Can read: Yes
Can write: Yes
Can speak English: Yes
[Della Smiley Hudson was born on Febuary 4, 1887 and died May 1969 (Social Security Death Index).]
Name: Alice L Smiley
Home in 1900: Palmyra, Marion, Missouri
Age: 1
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1899 image May 1899
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's Name: John
Mother's Name: Katie J
Race: Black
1930 United States Census April 17, 1930
Second 1930 census of Zephyr family this time her father dead
Name: Alice Martin
Home in 1930: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Age: 29
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1901
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Head
Race: Negro (Black)
Household Members: Name Age
Gwendlyn Martin 7
John A Martin 5
Alice G Martin 3 and 3/12
Harold A Martin 1 and 4/12
Zephyr Martin 2/12 (Zephyr only one born in Illinois every else born in Missouri)
1930 United States Census April 2 1930 (Zephyr family first 1930 census before her father died)
Name: Austin Martin
Home in 1930: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 34
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Missouri
Birthplace of Father: Missouri
Birthplace of Mother: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Head
Occupation: Barber at Barber Shop
Veteran: No
Value of home if own or monthly rent: $500
Spouse's Name: Allie (Alyce)
Race: Negro (Black)
(most of following name misspelled by census taker)
Allie Martin 29 (wife Alyce)
Gwendlyn Martin 7
J Austin Martin 5 (John)
Allan Martin 3 (Alyce)
Herald Martin 1 (Harold)
Zethy Mae Martin 1/12 (Zephyr still only one born in Illinois)
World War I Draft Registration Card for Austin Martin
Registration card No.92
Name in full: Austin Martin | Age in years: 21
Home Address: Frankford, Missouri
Date of birth: January 23rd 1896
You are: Natural born citizen
Where were you born? Frankford, Ms. U.S.A.
What your current trade, occupation, or office? Common Laborer
By whom employed? Arthur Bailey
Where employed? Vandalin, MS.
Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, a sister or brother under 12, solely dependant on you for support? No
Married or single? Single | Race? Negro
What military service have you had? Rank No: branch No: Years No: Nation or State No
Do you claim exemption from draft? No
Tall, medium or short? Short
Color of eyes? Back | Color of hair? Black | Bald? No
Has person lost arm, leg, hand, foot, or both eyes, or is be otherwise disable? No
Percinet: Frankford
City or County: Pike
State: Missouri
Date: June 5th 1917
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1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Robert Martin (Zephyr's grandfather)
Age in 1910: 59
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1851
Birthplace: Virginia
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Birth Place: Virginia
Spouse's Name: Eliza O
Home in 1910: Frankford Ward 2, Pike, Missouri
Speak English
Occupation: Barber own shop
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Name: Eliza O Martin (Eliza may be a familiar form of Louisa)
Age in 1910: 46
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1864
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Father's Birth Place: Maryland
Mother's Birth Place: Missouri
Spouse's Name: Robert
Home in 1910: Frankford Ward 2, Pike, Missouri
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Name: Lissa J Martin (short form of Elizabeth)
Age in 1910: 20
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1890
Birthplace: Missouri
Birthplace father: Kentucky
Birthplace mother: kentucky
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Name: Eliza O
Mother's Birth Place: Missouri
Home in 1910: Frankford Ward 2, Pike, Missouri
Occupation: Teacher Public School
Marital Status: Single
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Name: Eulo Naphia Martin
Age in 1910: 19
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1891
Birthplace: Missouri
Birthplace father: Missouri
Birthplace mother: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Name: Eliza O
Mother's Birth Place: Missouri
Home in 1910: Frankford Ward 2, Pike, Missouri
occupation: seamstresses at parent home
Marital Status: Single
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Name: Austin W Martin (Zephyr's father)
Age in 1910: 14
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Robert
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Name: Eliza O
Mother's Birth Place: Missouri
Home in 1910: Frankford Ward 2, Pike, Missouri
Marital Status: Single
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Name: Ina P C Martin
Age in 1910: 12
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1898
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Name: Eliza O
Mother's Birth Place: Missouri
Home in 1910: Frankford Ward 2, Pike, Missouri
Marital Status: Single
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Name: Zelcia b Martin
Age in 1910: 10
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1900
Birthplace: Missouri
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Father's Birth Place: Virginia
Mother's Name: Eliza O
Mother's Birth Place: Missouri
Home in 1910: Frankford Ward 2, Pike, Missouri
Marital Status: Single
Race: Black
Gender: Female
1900 United States Federal Census
State: Missouri | County: Pike | Frankford City
Enumerated June 6th 1900
Name: Robert Martin
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 53
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847
Birthplace: Missouri
Birthplace of father: Missouri
Birthplace of mother: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Spouse's Name: Louisa A
Race: Black
Occupation: barber
Read? Yes | Write? Yes | Speak English? Yes
Name: Louisa A Martin
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 38
Estimated Birth Year: April 1862
Birthplace: Missouri
Birthplace of father: Maryland
Birthplace of mother: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Wife
Spouse's Name: Robert
Race: Black
Read? Yes | Write? Yes | Speak English? Yes
Name: Robert F Martin
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 16
Estimated Birth Year: July 1884
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Father's Name: Robert
Mother's Name: Louisa A
Race: Black
Read? Yes | Write? Yes | Speak English? Yes
Name: Ethel B Martin (Ethel mainly a girl name.)
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 13
Estimated Birth Year: November 1886
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Father's Name: Robert
Mother's Name: Louisa A
Race: Black
Read? Yes | Write? Yes | Speak English? Yes
Name: Liska j Martin (short form of Elizabeth)
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 11
Estimated Birth Year: July 1888
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Mother's Name: Louisa A
Race: Black
Read? Yes | Write? Yes | Speak English? Yes
Name: Eulo p Martin
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 9
Estimated Birth Year: October 1890
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Mother's Name: Louisa A
Race: Black
Read? Yes | Write? Yes | Speak English? Yes
Name: Austindo Martin (a form of Augustine)
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 4
Estimated Birth Year: June 1896
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Son
Father's Name: Robert
Mother's Name: Louisa A
Race: Black
Speak English? Yes
Name: Jutt p Martin
Home in 1900: Peno, Pike, Missouri
Age: 2
Estimated Birth Year: February 1898
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's Name: Robert
Mother's Name: Louisa A
Race: Black
Speak English? Yes
Alyce first husband and Zephyr father, Austin Martin died April 1930 when Zephyr was about 2 month old.
Alyce L Meine Nichols died May 31, 1991.
She is survived by four her children: John A. Martin, Alyce G. Monroe, Harold A. Martin and Zephyr M. Craddock; five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; a niece, Rosa Scott of Kansas City, two grandnieces, and many other relatives and friends.
Carter Temple C.M.E. Church, 7841 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois on Thursday June 6, 1991 had Wake 7:00 P.M. and Funeral Service 7:00 P.M. Tributies were gived by Rev. Willaim A. Johnson, M.A., D.D. St. John Church-Bapist; Mr. Theodore Charles Stone, President Chicago Music Association, Poem by Mrs. Mildred D. Johnson.
Interment was at Lincoln Cemetery on Friday, June 7, 1991 at 10:00 A.M. . Honorary Pallbearers were grandsons Burton Craddock, Kenneth Craddock and Robert Monroe; and James Lipscomb, and Alvermon Jackson.
Tho chords upon chords Ring out their mighty splendor, Moving through the air To touch our souls, She took her place, Her wondrous way with organ Ever extolled. She moved with quite grace And humble manner, Glad to share God's gifts In broad arry, With those who listened raptly To her greatness, Who homored in her presence Heard her play. Now she plays a great celestial organ, And angels sweetly sing Her chorus strong, That she's come to join them, The heavens ring out, Joyous songs and long. At Chicago by Mildred D. Johnson June 1, 1991 Author/Educator/Family friend
Alyce knew Shelby Nichols at least a year before she married Otto Meine. Shelby was in Chicago in 1947 for singing booking. On page 24 of 1947 issue Music News had the ad SHELBY NICHOLS, NEGRO BASS BARITONE, New Booking 1947-1948 season, Estalle Lutz Artist Bureau, 1321 Kimball Bdg Har. 3435. Alyce was schedule to play the piano during Shelby performance at Estalle Lutz Artist Bureau on October 17, 1946 but the performance was rescheduled to December 14, 1946 with her John Martin playing the piano. The officers of "Grand Opera The Allied Opera Guild" included Shelby Nichols as President, John A, Martin as Vice President, Della Smiley Hudson as Executive Secretary, and Zephyr M. Martin as Corresponding Secretary. On June 29, 1947, Grand Opera The Allied Opera Guild presentes "Cacalleria" and Zephyr had the role of one of Temple Maidens.
At the Composer Forum, Federal Project of the Work Process Administration in Chicago on June 15, 1937, Shelby Nichols was one of the Bass in Octet, "The Wind and the Sea" with word by Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Mrs. Alyce Lavinia Martin married Mr. Otto Meine on October 21, 1947. Her sister Mrs. Della Smiley Hudson sent the invitation for the marriage reception.
Mrs. Della Smiley Hudson
requests the pleasure of your comany
at the marriage reception of her sister
Alyce Lavinia Martin
and
Mr. Otto Meine
on Tuesday the twenty-first of October
Nineteen hundred and forty-seven
from eight-thirty to eleven in the evening
Elam Home
4726 South Parkway
Chicago, Illinois