Nichols, Adna J.

NICHOLS, FINNEY, WALLS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/14/2003 at 19:57:04

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

ADNA J. NICHOLS.

Adna J. Nichols, who for many years was identified with the agricultural interests of Clinton county, but is now living a retired life in Camanche, was born on the 25th of August, 1849, in Westport, Essex county, Vermont, a son of Jonathan and Anna (Finney) Nichols, whose family numbered four children, all of whom are living, our subject being the youngest in order of birth. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in June, 1853, emigrated westward with his family, settling in Camanche township, Clinton county, Iowa, upon a tract of one hundred acres of land, for which he paid nine dollars per acre. There he continued the cultivation of his fields until his death, and in the meantime he had added to his farm until at one time he was the owner of one hundred and eighty acres, constituting a very valuable property. His death occurred in 1892. The mother of our subject had died in the east and the father had afterward married Orilla Augier, of Vermont, by whom he had one child. In his political views he was always a stalwart Republican and as a citizen whose deep interest in the welfare of his community was manifested in many substantial ways.

The subject of this review was only four years of age when he came with his father to Clinton county, and in the district schools of Camanche township he pursued his education. He also early became familiar with all the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist and assisted his father in the improvement of the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age, when he made preparation for the establishment of a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Fanny Walls, who was a native of England and came with her parents to Clinton county in 1853, the family locating in Eden township. She was one of eight children. Her father died about 1872 and her mother passed away in 1898. He was one of the pio-neer farmers of the community, and in his political allegiance was a stalwart Republican. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols was blessed with one child, Roy Adna, but they were called upon to mourn his loss in infancy.

After his marriage Mr. Nichols continued farming on his own account until 1882, when he established an agricultural implement store in Camanche, which he conducted for four years. He then went to Kentucky and embarked in the lumber business, but the latter enterprise did not prove profitable, and, returning to Clinton county, he engaged in farming until about three years ago, when on account of ill health he put aside the duties of an agricultural life. He now owns two hun-dred acres of rich land and from its rental derives a good income. He resides in Camanche, where in addition to his home he owns other town property. He and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist church, and he has been prominent in his township in connection with public office. He served as township assessor for ten consecutive years, has been a member of the township board of trustees and is now serving as township clerk in a most acceptable and commendable manner. The greater part of his life has been passed in Clinton county, and the fact that many of his warmest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is indicative of an upright, useful and honorable career.