Joe and Irene NICKELSON took over as managers of the Lacona branch of the Midwest Lumber in 1944. The branch closed in 1960 because of problems with the railroad. Joe NICKELSON, along with Frank NICKELSON and Marvin MILLER built the Mobil filling station on the south side of Lacona Main Street in 1960. (Source: Chronology of the early settlers of White Breast Township and Lacona compiled by Edith HEEMSTRA and John FORD sometime around 1980.)