A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA
HON. JOHN D. NICHOLS
HON. JOHN D. NICHOLS, is the senior member of the law firm of J. D. & C. Nichols, of Vinton, Iowa. He is one of the oldest members, in years of continuous practice, at the Benton county bar, and also one of the most prominent, standing as a leader in professional ranks. In social and political circles he also occupies an enviable position, and to-day he is one of the most esteemed citizens in this section of the State. A life characterized by all that is honorable and noble, by fidelity to duty and trustworthiness, well entitle him to representation in this volume.
Mr. Nichols was born in Leeds county, Ontario, Canada, July 22, 1834, and is a son of Rev. Hugh and Avis (Schofield) Nichols, the former a native of Canada and the latter of New York. The father was a Baptist minister and devoted his entire life to the cause of Christianity, laboring in Canada up to the time of his death. His excellent wife still survives him, and at the age of eighty-six years is in possession of all her faculties.
Our subject was the second son in a family of seven children, three brothers and four sisters, of whom six are yet living. He spent his youthful days in the place of his nativity and acquired his education in the common schools. In 1856 he crossed the border into the United States and took up his residence in Salem, Henry county, Iowa, where he learned the trade of carriage-making, following that pursuit for several years.
In 1871 Mr. Nichols entered the law office of Traer & Gilchrist, of Vinton, with whom he studied until he was admitted to the bar, in 1872, by Judge Rothrock, now of the Supreme Court. Immediately afterward he opened a law office in Vinton and soon won high standing at the bar, working his way steadily upward until he had left the ranks of the many and gained a place among the successful few. He first formed a partnership with Robert St. \ Clair, under the firm name of St. Clair & Nichols. In 1879 he associated himself with George W. Bumham, and the partnership was continued until 1886. In 1892 he was joined in business by his son Clarence, under the firm style of J. D. & C. Nichols, and they now command a large business. The junior member attended the law department of the State University and is a young man of high promise. Success is not a matter of genius, but of ear nest, persistent labor, accompanied by the exercise of those abilities with which nature has endowed one and which can be acquired. Mr. Nichols came to the United States without capital and no influential friends to aid him. His fidelity, energy and industry in his pursuits secured him success, while a keen, analytical mind, combined with a thorough preparation and faithfulness to his clients' interests has won him prominence at the bar.
Mr. Nichols is a pronounced Republican and has been associated with the party since its organization. In 1876 he was elected State Senator to succeed Colonel John Shane, who resigned in order to accept the judgeship of the Eighth Judicial District of Iowa. In 1878 Mr. Nichols was re-elected for a full term, and while a member of the Senate served on judiciary and other important committees, discharging his duties with commendable fidelity, and was regarded as one of the most able men in the Senate during his incumbency.
In 1854 Mr. Nichols was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stevens, of Leeds county, On tario, Canada, and a daughter of Rev. Reuben Stevens. They have two sons: Malcolm E., assistant stenographer for Ramsey county, Minnesota; and Clarence, the junior member of the law firm. Mrs. Nichols passed away in 1870. In 1872 Mr. Nichols married Miss Phoebe Brennen, of Leeds county, Ontario. They have two sons: George C., an employee of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Company; and Frank B., who is in his father's office. In November, 1881, Mr. Nichols was again called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. In 1883 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Carrie A. Landgraff, a native of Oswego county, New York.
From A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Volume II, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp. 1098-1099. Transcribed July, 2015 by Conni McDaniel Hall.