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(Evening Herald, Frackville Edition, June 27, 1975) The Nice Funeral Home used a horse and wagon as their first hearse. In later years Mr. W. A. Nice was the first undertaker to have an auto hearse and this was displayed at the convention of the New Jersey Undertaker's Association by its makers J.W. Henny and Company of Freeport, Illinois. It was the first of its kind ever made and he was the first to have one in Schuylkill County.
He was also the first owner of a side-loading funeral car in the State of Pennsylvania. With his permission this was on display at the convention in Atlantic City. Eleven undertakers placed their orders, seven going to New York City, one to William Weber at Pottsville, and the rest to parts of New Jersey.
The car was a model of perfection. It was known as a side-loading car and a casket could be loaded from either side or from the rear by a movable table which swung the basket entirely free of the car. The car itself made a wonderful appearance; the body being made of aluminum with non-rust steel mud-guards and hood which covered a Continental Red Seal engine and a one shot oiling system. The car could be driven two miles an hour in high gear. The interior of the car was upholstered in French leather.
The Nice family have been in Frackville for four generations.
Walter R. Nice was born in Hamburg, Pa., July 17, 1841. He was a pioneer citizen of Frackville, was a cabinet-maker by trade, later a carpenter and for ten years was actively engaged as a contractor and builder. In 1876 he established the furniture and undertaking business which he successfully conducted until his death, June 4, 1888, at the age of forty-seven. After his death his widow conducted the business for nine years and then it was conducted by the estate for several years. He was married to Sarah Adams of Berks County and they had six surviving children, Sarah Morgan, Lizzi Deisher, Marion Weller, Curtis, Woodward A. and Walter.
Woodward A. Nice, undertaker, coal dealer, and general contractor of Frackville was born August 15, 1873. He was educated in the public schools of town and after the death of his father in 1886 assisted his mother in conducting the business until 1897, when he became a licensed embalmer and took charge of the undertaking business. In 1905 he entered the general contracting business, and in 1906 became a member of the firm of Grabey and Nice, dealers in coal. On February 27, 1901, he married Sadie Moore and they had three children, Wilda, Flo and Winn. Mrs. Nice died October 31 1918. In 1920 Mr. Nice married Minnie Moore Harvey and they had one son, Harvey. Mr. Nice died July 10, 1929. The business was then continued by his widow, Minnie and son, Winn.
Winn A. Nice, was born August 22, 1909 and was educated in the Frackville Schools. He was licensed by the State Board of Undertakers in December 1834. He was married to Elizabeth Lindenmuth of town and they had one son, Ronald. Mr. Nice passed away on February 16, 1953. At this time the business was conducted by Mrs. Minnie Nice until her death June 14, 1967.
Ronald H. Nice, was born April 25, 1941. He is a graduate of Frackville High School, attended Penn State Center and graduated from the Eckels School of Philadelphia. He was licensed by the State Board of Undertakers in January 1964. He is the fourth generation to continue the undertaking business at the same address as it began by his grandfather in 1897. He is a member of Trinity E.C. Church, F.&A.M. Lodge 737, Reading Consistory, Elks Lodge 1533, Good Will Hose Company, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is married to the former Joanne Lech and has two children.
Go to the Dr. David Taggart biography which was originally printed with this tale (now located in the Old Timers section).