Richard Thomas Nichols was born on December 7, 1923, in Bradford, Gibson County, Tennessee to Elbert Royal and Mary Frances Piercy Nichols. At the time, he had one sister and two brothers – Mary Frances Nichols Howard, Elbert Royal Nichols Jr. and Walter Piercy Nichols. Eleven years later, he had two more sisters – Nancy Ann Nichols Gross and Margaret Alice Williams.
On June 6, 1943, he married Helen Doris Bomar in Tipton County. They had two children during their marriage – Dr. John Richard Nichols and Laura Lee Nichols Lipscomb.
Richard died on May 21, 2000, at the age of 76 from cancer, in Munford, Tennessee. He is buried in Helen Crigger Cemetery with his wife and family. Richard was well respected in the community.
They’ve Got the Men: Have You Got a Job to Fill?
Nichols Seeks More Listings From Firms
The employment picture is “somewhat brighter” in Memphis.
That’s the opinion of Richard T. Nichols, 35, Munford, Tenn., after five weeks in his new position as manager of the West Tennessee District of Employment Security, in the new building at Poplar and Claybrook.
Nichols replaced W. S. (Tick) Uhlhorn, who was named to Gov. Ellington’s cabinet as personnel director. Nichols had been office manager of te Memphis office, under Uhlhorn, since 1955.
Nichols was succeeded as office manager by L. B. (Dick) Dow Jr., 1480 Vinton.
Need More Jobs
“We are placing a good many people in jobs,” Nichols said. “But we need more jobs. We want more firms to list job openings with us. We have a number of good, qualified workers who need jobs.”
He asked those who need employes of any kind to call Employment Security at BR 2-3001.
Nichols said that for the period ending Jan. 15, the latest official report, there was an increase of 400 in manufacturing employment, but a drop of 4950 employed in non-manufacturing work.
He explained the drop in non-manufacturing work as normal for the time of the year, with after-Christmas layoffs. He said many stores hired extra employes for the Christmas rush, and some kept extra personnel on for January white sales, etc.
Good Up-Turn
“But the up-turn in manufacturing employment is a little unusual at this time of the year, and it’s good,” he said.
Nichols estimated that about 3700 of the non-manufacturing unemployment decrease was the result of reduction in temporary personnel for the holiday season.
“The next biggest reduction was in construction,” he said. “Completion of contracts and unfavorable weather for starting new projects caused construction unemployment.
“I think the February employment will be up some. It looks as tho it’s going to be up.”
Nichols said the settlement of the International Harvester strike in January will add around 1200 to employment rolls, and that about 300 previously laid off have been called back by Harvester since the strike ended. he said reports he has received from some industries show an increase in employment in February.
Nichols said non-manufacturing employment probably didn’t drop any more last month, while manufacturing employment increased. He said construction work usually picks up in March or April, and is beginning to pick up already. This will add to the non-manufacturing employment total, but won’t be reflected until April reports. He said that if favorable weather comes early and remains, it will help the employment picture, as more building will start.
He said that the steam plant employment is way down, and that DuPont and Grace construction projects have been completed. He said employment at the steam plant had reached a peak of 2000 but was about 1200 last month and will continue dropping as the work nears completion.
THEY HELP FIND JOBS – That’s the principal function of Employment Security, a state and federal agency. Richard T. Nichols, left, district manager, and L. B. (Dick) Dow Jr., office manager, are concentrating their efforts of finding jobs for the unemployed. They need more job listings.
Farm Labor Outlook
Nichols said Jewett Johnson, manager of the farm worker division, predicts there will be a decrease in available farm labor. He said some of the older farm workers have quit going out, and many buses which hauled farm workers to the field last year weren’t fully loaded and the owners did not make a profit. He said some will quit this year.
Johnson says not as many young people are going out, and wage and hour law prevents children from going out to work on farms. Shelby County schools no longer close for the spring cultivation season.
Nichols said mechanization and acreage control have caused less demand for part-time farm workers. He said automation also is cutting down some on industry’s demand for labor.
Nichols said that in Memphis about 1200 fewer filed claims for unemployment compensation in February than did in January, and the February figure was about 800 less for 1959 than in February 1958. he said claims in Memphis were down about 23.5% this year compared to last year. he said they are around 7000 now compared to 9000 a year ago.
“I think that’s one of our healthiest signs,” Nichols said. He said that some have exhausted their 22 weeks of compensation and have not returned to work, but the average on compensation is 15 to 16 weeks before jobs are found.
“I want to emphasize that we need more jobs to offer,” he said. “We have around 5000 applications on file, people who want jobs.”
[Clark Porteous, Press-Scimitar Staff Writer, Memphis Press-Scimitar, Memphis, Tenn., Unknown Date]
Nichols to Handle Employment Claims
Office To Be Open Four Days In Week To Aid Unemployed
RICHARD THOMAS NICHOLS | son of Dr. and Mrs. E. R. Nichols, of Munford, was looking for an office in Covington Wednesday. Mr. Nichols, War II veteran, will represent the State Department of Employment Security in Tipton County.
Mr. Nichols will have an office in the courthouse, it is understood.One of the witness rooms on the north side of the courtroom will be used. Mr. Nichols will be available there four days a week to hear the claims of veterans and unemployed workers.
The new employe of the Employment Security Department will spend one day a week in the district office at Brownsville. Dan Scates, in town with Mr. Nichols today, is head of the district office.
Mr. Scates has been coming to Covington one day a week, Thursday, to render assistance to claimants and job seekers. The Thursday morning crowds in the courthouse have been composed of the Tipton Countians trying to see Mr. Scates.
With four days a week available to them, the persons trying to do business with the Employment Security Department will receive better service. The office will be open Monday through Thursday.
[Newspaper Unknown, This was in the scrapbook of Margaret N. Williams, Richard Nichols’ sister. I’m almost certain it is from The Commercial Appeal.]
Nichols to Head Tipton Legion
The Press-Scimitar Correspondent
MUNFORD, Tenn. – Richard Nichols of Munford has been elected commander of Tipton County’s American Legion Post No. 67.
George Baltzer is first vice commander; George Williamson, second vice commander; Tom Anderson Jr., adjutant; W. G. Osborne, finance officer; Rev. John Sivley, chaplain; J. T. Fee, historian; Sam Long, sergeant-at-arms, and E. A. Sage, service officer.
Mr. Nichols is in charge of Tipton County division, State Employment Service, and is active in Munford Methodist Church. He served during War II. He is married the former Helen Bomar and has two children, Johnny, 7, and Laura Leigh [sic], 3. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Nichols, Munford.
Photo 1: Dr. Elbert Royal Sr, Frances, Elbert Jr, Walter, Richard; Photo 2: Uncle Richard, Uncle Walter, and Uncle Elbert – Silly boys!; Photo 3: Uncle Richard with his cat; Photo 4: Mary Frances Nichols, Elbert Royal Nichols Jr., Walter Piercy Nichols, and Richard Thomas Nichols 1927; Photo 5: Uncle Lake Howard and Uncle Richard; Photo 6: Uncle Richard and Mom (Margaret)
Photo 1: Mary Frances Piercy Nichols mother of Richard Nichols and friend; Photo 2: Richard Thomas Nichols; Photo 3: Richard and friends on side porch of Munford house (two doors on side of house, one for Dr Nichols’ patients and the other to the family area); Photo 4: Richard Thomas Nichols and Elbert Royal Nichols Jr; Photo 5 & 6: Uncle Richard
Photo 1: Richard’s Uncle Walter Piercy, Helen Doris Bomar and Richard Thomas Nichols; Photo 2 & 3: Richard and Helen Nichols
Photo 1: Dr. Elbert Royal Nichols Sr. and Richard; Photo 2: Richard in Margaret’s wedding; Photo 3: Nichols brothers – Richard, Walter and Elbert (Junior); Photo 4: Headstone in Helen Crigger Cemetery