Elizabeth Lyman Nice, And The Early SPCA In Lycoming County

 

Elizabeth [Lyman] Nice, wife of John Nice

Elizabeth Keziah Lyman Nice (1832 – 1895) was a woman "known by reason of the zealous and unflagging devotion to humane enterprises, having practically given up her life to philanthropic work", according to her obituary.  She dedicated her life to the care of others.

"Others" was not limited to just people - Betsy was also was dedicated in the protection of animals from abuse by their owners. She  established a branch of the Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals in Lycoming County.  As her obituary stated, "She was untiring in showing up and bringing justice those who maltreated dumb brutes." 

Mrs. Nice had once mentioned that it would serve the horses well to have a water trough near the park.  

In 1895, Mrs Nice developed typhoid fever, and died.  A committee was formed to raise money for a monument to honor her, and more than $1000 was raised. The monument, which would be placed near the entrance to Vallamont Park, was to feature a water trough for horses.

On August 12th 1895 - The Sun Gazette reported that the Nice Memorial Fountain at Vallamont was almost completed.  The fountain, with two water bowls, was in memory of Mrs. Nice, and was erected by by the Society for The Protection of Cruelty To Animals 

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The Horse Drinking Fountain

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The Horse Statue At The Entrance To Vallamont

The fountain was placed at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Prostpect Terrace [later renamed Vallamont Drive]

August 12 1895 

The fountain proposed to be erected in the memory of Mrs Niece, by the Society for The Protection of Cruelty To Animals

1895

The monument was located at the bottom of this road, and can just, barely, if you zoom in, be seen in this photo.

An article in the Sun Gazette states that the statue was moved to the East End of the Golden Strip, but exactly where, or when it was removed, is unknown.

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More about Vallaont in Williamsport - https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/vallamont-park.html

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Note - most write ups about Elizabeth say that Elizabeth Lyman was born in 1832 in New York, the daughter Of Richard Lyman, a physician.  Both her mother and father had died by the time she was 13 - her father having been killed in an accident with a "vicious" horse. 

Personally, I could not verify that. [Which does not mean it's not true] .  

Sometime between 1860 and 1867, Elizabeth married John F. Nice, who was listed in the Williamsport Ward 2 census as a Photographer.  John had a photography business in Jersey Shore, then Lewisburg, before settling his business at 3 East 3rd street in Williamsport, and a home at 329 Maynard Street.

John F. Nice [Husband of Elizabeth Lyman] and Robert Y. Nice, brothers, were both photographers in Williamsport Pa.  They appear to have always maintained separate studios.

Both were sons of George and Eleanor [Marroly] Nice, in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County Pa.  Although his death certificate lists his father as John, I'm [mostly] certain that is a mistake, his father was George.

After Elizabeth [Lyman] Nice died, John remarried, to Elizabeth Hepburn.  John and both Elizabeth's are buried at Wildwood Cemetery.  John & Elizabeth [Lyman] are listed on the front of the stone, Elizabeth [Hepuburn] 1847-1922, is on the back.

George and Eleanor, John's parents, are buried at Jersey Shore.  I found it interesting to note that the tombstone is very similar - nearly identical - to John's stone at Wildwood.

In 1850 John was 15 years old, living with his parents in Jersey shore, with the occupation of Coach Maker in the Railroad and Misc Transportation Industry. His father had the same information for his occupation.

In 1860, John is still found in the Jersey Shore census, but now he is in a list of names found under Hugh Shaw, hotel keeper.  His occupation is listed as Daguerrean [photographer].  Daguerrean refers to the early photographic process invented by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, where a mirror-like silver copper plate image is produced. The census lists John's personal estate at a value of $500 - twice that of the only other on the list of hotel residents with an amount listed.  In later editions of the Gazette and Bulletin, under a column titled 'looking back", Nice is noted as having been a photographer since 1857.

Sometime between 1860 and 1867, John married Elizabeth. By 1868, John had a photography studio in Williamsport, advertised as "in the Mussina Building" No 3 East third street, corner of Market, Williamsport Pa. "   Jacob Lyons Mussina 1807-1888, was a clockmaker.  He built a new store on the northeast corner of Market Square in Williamsport in 1858.  In some photographs of the building, a sign for "R.Y. Nice Photography" can be seen.  Robert Y Nice 1848-1929 was the younger brother of John.

Elizabeth Nice was added to Williamsports First Baptist Church membership list on March 11 1867.  [Her membership was dropped Oct 6 1877, with a note to "see minutes Folio 458".]  

  In 1870, John is a photographer in Williamsport, with a personal real estate of 6,000.  Elizabeth is 3 years older than him, 38 to his 35.  A 19 year old Elizabeth Hood resides with them, with the occupation of "Working Photo Stall".  Miss Hood was also from New York state.  In 1875 the Daily Gazette in Williamsport reported that John F. Nice "and lady" are visiting friends in Illinois.

1875 Directory

In 1879 John was listed, along with John D. Fessler [?] and William N. Jones, in a lawsuit against Horace F. Taylor and Peter Herdic, "having conspired together to defraud them."  The charge was in regards to "certain certified checks marked by H.F. Taylor as good; said checks purporting to be drawn upon the banking house of H.F. Taylor, and Peter Herdic not having the money there to meet them...  obtained large sums of money thereon to wit: $16,000 [the equivalent of about $51,000 in 2025] from R.W. Adams and Co, John F. Nice, and others."  

Still in Williamsport, on "May West Street" [West Maynard], the 1880 census tells us that Elizabeth's parents were from Massachusetts.  Now Elizabeth is listed as 5 years older, 48 to John's 43.  In 1889, the Williamsport Directory lists John at 329 Maynard Street, Williamsport. 

329 Maynard Street is located across from Ways garden, two houses back from Backhouse Coffee.  John lived there until his death in  

John was also a painter, in addition to a photographer.  In 1882 he had a painting exhibited a the second annual Lycoming Agricultural Fair.

By 1883, Robert Y. Nice, brother of John, had his photography studio at Market Street.  In the 1875 directory, both John and Robert are listed as photographers, at different addresses.  John was at the Market Street location, and Robert was at 62 1/2 Lycoming Street.  In 1878, John was advertising the property at 62 1/2 Lycoming for rent - "a neat little cottage six rooms, hydrant water..." In January of 1883, Robert was "laid up with illness but improving slowly.  The Daily Gazette and Bulletin said that "his business was kept going by competent workmen" , with no mention of his brother John.  In 1884, Robert moved from South Williamsport to "fourth street below Mulberry".  The photo of the Russell Tavern so often shown in historical publications, the building that served as Williamsport's first court house, was taken by Robert Nice.

In 1890, Dr. W.H. Messimer and family "arrived at the home of his brother in law, John F. Nice" on Maynard street.  "From Florida, in a shivering condition, well prepared to enjoy that 'open-gate fire' in opposition to Dr. Doane in Colorado"  William Hilbbris Messimer married Rachel Ellen Nice, sister of John Nice.  

In 1891, the editor of Globe Magazine, Philadelphia, was a guest at the Nice home.

In 1900 John was widowed, owned his own house, and was still a photographer.  His housekeeper was "Lizzie" Hepburn. [In 1877, Lizzie Hepburn was a seamstress, staying at the American House Hotel].  

An article in the Gazette and Bulletin, Dec 29th 1902, reports that John and Miss Lizzie Hepburn were married in the Parlor of Mrs. John M. Pross of Lewisburg.   "Mrs. Pross is a sister of Mr. Nice."

Assorted articles in the Gazette and Bulletin mentioned the Nice's keeping bees, and feeding birds.  [These articles would refer to the second Mrs Elizabeth Nice]

In the 1910 census, John and Elizabeth [Hepburn] are married, with the census reporting that they had been married 7 years.  When Elizabeth [Hepburn] Nice died in 1922, John gave the information for her death certificate.  For her birth place, parents, and parents birth place, he reported, over and over "Don't know".  Her birthdate was listed as Feb 4th 1847, and she died on Dec 29th 1922.  

In 1911 John offered a $25 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who destroyed the fence around his property at the corner of Maynard and Vine on the night of October 31st.

In 1913, a thief broke into Nice's house and stole ham, bacon, beer, and liver.  They also ate half of an apple pie. 

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Market Square, 1906. On reverse of photo: "1906 Boyd's Directory: Jacobs, Harry A., Clothier, hatter and furnisher, 2 W. 3rd and 309 Market, h. 506 W. 3rd. Kline and Co. (James N. Kline) hardware, 15, 19 and 21 E 3rd. Nice, Robert Y, photographer, 3 E. 3rd, h. 638 Market, South Side. Mussina S. and Son (William V.) jewelers and opticians, 1 W. 3rd (Northeast corner Market Square) (1989 - Jersey Shore State Bank)."