Willis Nickel was born in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, on January 5, 1862.

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His first wife was Matilda Heckleman.  They were married January 30, 1889 in Three Rivers, Michigan.  She is described as a stern and frugal woman.  


    

Matilda died in 1925. His second wife, Ella, was remembered by her step grandson as a nice lady.
  

Willis Nickel was a foreman in a paper mill in Three Rivers.  There were no unions, but there was almost certainly labor unrest over wages and working conditions.  As the foreman, keeping the mill and the labor in working order was his responsibility.

He was quoted as saying, "no man is worth a dollar an hour"

His grandson visited him a few times in Three Rivers.  He may have lived there his whole life.

He died March 18, 1931