Biographical Sketch of

John Nichols

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 361 and 362


John Nichols, a farmer of Green Lake Township, Green Lake County, residing
on section 8, was born in Wyoming County, New York, in the village of
Arcade, June 28, 1832, his parents being John and Sarah (Smith) Nichols.
The family is of Irish origin. The paternal great-grandfather was born in
Ireland, where he was married and reared several children. He emigrated to
this country at a very early day, settling in New Hampshire, where John,
grandfather of our subject, was born. The latter served as a Revolutionary
soldier and afterwards received a pension. He married Sarah Steel and had
nine children. With his family he removed to Wyoming County, New York,
making the journey in a wagon boarded up, they calling it "Noah's Ark," and
it was drawn by oxen. There were but six families living in the township
where they settled. Mr. Nichols there engaged in farming until his death,
which occurred at the ripe old age of ninety years.

The maternal grandfather, Moses Smith, was a millwright by trade and became
owner of a grist and saw mill. He married a Miss Shepherd, and unto them
were born seven children. In an early day they moved to Wyoming County, New
York, where he worked at his trade. He was a good mechanic and made the
first coffin in his township.

John Nichols was born in New Hampshire in 1793, and was eighteen years of
age at the time of the removal of the family to Washington County, New
York. He afterwards returned to his native State and brought his parents to
his new home. He was a soldier of the War of 1812 and participated in the
battle of Erie when Buffalo was burned. He belonged to a militia company
which was defeated in an engagement and as most of the under officers were
killed the commanding general told the forces that they must surrender to
the enemy or try to escape. They chose the latter resort and Mr. Nichols
succeeded in getting away though most of his comrades were killed. He
married Miss Smith, a native of Vermont and having lived in Wyoming County
until about 1840, they settled in Allegany County, and thence, in
September, 1848, they came to this county. Mr. Nichols was once owner of
some valuable property but misfortune overtook him and he was completely
ruined financially. He supported the Democratic party and was called upon
to serve in various town positions. Both he and his wife were members of
the Congregational Church and were greatly respected by all who knew them.
He died at the age of seventy-seven years, and Mrs. Nichols in the
seventy-sixth year of her age. Their family numbered six children, three
sons and three daughters: Florilla and Lucretia live with our subject; Dr.
James makes his home in Pennsylvania; Sarah is the wife of Joseph Baker of
New York; Lucius is a resident of Minnesota.

The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the family. He as reared to
manhood on his father's farm and acquired his education in the district
schools. When twenty-one years of age, he and his brother Lucius bought an
ox team on credit, hired four others and broke sod for the incoming
settlers. In the fall, he purchased his brother's interest and thus became
the happy possessor of his first team. His first real estate was a 50-acre
tract for which he was to pay $450. After clearing the land and raising two
crops of wheat thereon, he sold out for $1000. That proved a profitable
investment and from that time forward, Mr. Nichols has been very prosperous
in his business transactions. Like every one, he has met with some reverses
but has been generally successful and is now the owner of a fine farm of
230 acres which pays tribute to his care and cultivation. His first home
was a one story frame house, 16 x 22 feet, but he now has a commodious
residence, spacious outbuildings amd all that pertains to a model farm.

On the 28th of January, 1862, Mr. Nichols wedded Lola Parker who was born
in Pennsylvania in 1843, and came with her parents to Wisconsin when a
child, the family settling in Ripon. One son was born of their union,
Edward, who died at the age of eleven years. In 1871 the mother's death
occurred, and on the 9th of October, 1872, Mr. Nichols was united in
marriage with Emma Fortnum, who was born in Birmingham, England, Dec. 6,
1853. Her parents, John and Caroline (Gillett) Fortnum were born in
Oxfordshire and came to America in 1858, but returned to their native land
in 1864. The following year, however, they again came to America, settling
in the town of Green Lake, Green Lake County, where the father is still
living. His wife died in 1875, at the age of fourty-two years. They were
the parents of nine children, eight of whom are yet living.

To Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have been born five children--Minnie B., John E.,
Jennie A., May M. and Myrtle E. Mr. Nichols is a Democrat in politics and
his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He has served as assessor of
his township for seven years and is numbered among the representative and
prominent citizens of the community. He never inherited wealth, but
possessed the energy and ability to so conduct his business that he has
accumulated considerable property. For forty-one years he has been a
resident of the county, has seen its growth and progress, has aided in its
development and has identified himself with its leading interests. He is
currently deserving of representation in this volume and it is with great
pleasure that we record this sketch.






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