Lee Nichols

NICHOLS, COLE, LUCAS

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 11/28/2007 at 20:51:12

Lee Nichols, living on section 25, King township, Winnebago county, was born in Bloomington, Illinois, on the 22nd of January, 1865, a son of John and Comfort (Nichols) Nichols, who were natives of Kentucky and of Illinois respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and in early life went to Illinois, where he engaged in farming throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1867. His widow still survives and is now a resident of Bloomington, Illinois.

Lee Nichols spent his youthful days under the parental roof at Heyworth, Illinois, and his educational opportunities were those afforded by the district schools. He was only twelve years of age, however, when he began to provide for his own support by working as a farm hand at twelve dollars per month. He was employed in that way for twenty years, after which he rented land in Dallas county, Iowa, and continued its cultivation for about five years. He then purchased the farm upon which he was living and further developed and improved it for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he came to Winnebago county and in 1913 bought two hundred and twenty-one and three-fourths acres of land on sections 7 and 18, Linden township. For four years he has cultivated and improved this place, which is now a valuable property. The buildings are insured for over five thousand dollars and the improvements upon it make it a model farm property. At length, however, he rented that place and removed to King township, since which time he has cultivated a tract of one hundred and fifty-four acres on section 25, which he purchased. He today has a nicely improved place, pleasantly and conveniently located about two miles from Thompson. He is a wide-awake and progressive farmer, carrying on his work according to progressive methods, and his labors bring good results. He is engaged in the raising of thoroughbred Hampshire hogs and for years made a business of feeding stock but does not carry on that work at the present time, concentrating his energies upon the raising of hogs and upon the general development of his farm.

On the 28th of February, 1901, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Alchie Cole, a daughter of John and Mary (Lucas) Cole, who were natives of Indiana. The father was a farmer and followed that occupation in Indiana for a few years, after which he drove across the country to Dallas county, Iowa, in 1855, before the era of railroad building through this section of the middle west. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Dallas county, where he purchased government land at a dollar and a quarter per acre. He at once began to develop and improve that tract and continued its cultivation throughout his remaining days, his death occurring May 8, 1899. His wife survived for only a brief period, passing away September 14, 1902.

Fraternally Mr. Nichols is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is true to the teachings and purposes of the organization. He is also a loyal and helpful member of the Methodist church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. While a believer in its principles, he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farm work, which is now carefully and successfully managed.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, page 510.

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