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JOHN H. NICHOLS, residing on section 34, Marshall Township, is one of the prominent farmers of Louisa County. The family name was formerly spelled by some of his ancestors, Niccolls, but has long since been changed to the present mode of spelling. John was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Aug. 1, 1821, and is a son of Robert and Rebecca (Baldridge) Nichols, the former born Oct. 13, 1791, and the latter Nov. 22, 1797. They were also natives of Pennsylvania, and in Westmoreland County reared a family of eight children: Joseph B., born Aug. 4, 1818, is a real-estate agent of Ft. Scott, Kan.; Anna M., born Dec. 28, 1816, died at the home of our subject, Aug. 5, 1888; John H.; Margaret E., born Nov. 1, 1823, is the wife of Joseph S. Benton, a farmer of Labette County, Mo., George S., born April 3, 1826, died July 22, 1881; William T. B., born Nov. 4, 1828, died Feb. 23, 1885; Rebecca J., born May 31, 1837, is now making her home with our subject.
John attended the schools of his native county and there received a good knowledge of the common branches. In his youth he learned the carpenter’s and joiner’s trade, which he followed for about a year, and afterward engaged in farming. In 1841 Joseph B. Nichols made a trip to Louisa County to look up a location, and being pleased with the country sent back a favorable reply, so the following year the father, accompanied by his family, started for Iowa. Reaching his destination in 1842, he purchased eighty acres of land on section 34, Marshall Township, where the family has since continued to reside. It continued to be his home until his death, which occurred Aug. 1, 1868. The mother, too, died on the old homestead, March 4, 1879, and both were for many years members of the Presbyterian Church. They were ever active workers in the cause of their Master, and were honored and respected citizens of the county. They early trained their children in the teaching of the Bible, and with the exception of one, all were members of the church to which the parents belonged. William united with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On account of the failing health of his father, John was placed in charge of the home farm, having full control, and well did he manage and care for its interests. He proved himself to be a practical and systematic farmer, possessing good business ability. His youngest sister still resides with him. On coming to Iowa when it was yet a Territory, he entered a claim of forty acres, which was the foundation of his present valuable farm. From time to time he has added to his original possessions, buying the old homestead of forty acres, and also purchasing other lands, until he now owns 477 acres in Marshall Township. He has improved and cultivated his farm until it is considered one of the best in Louisa County, and from his home residence, which is situated on a rise of ground, one can look for miles over the broad and beautiful acres of waving grain. At the time of Mr. Nichols’ arrival in the county, the broad fields, which yield a bounteous tribute to the care and cultivation of the owner, were wild and unbroken prairie, the country was but sparsely settled, there being but three or four small cabins on what is now known as the Iowa City Road, through the county, and bands of Indians were frequently seen passing and repassing the cabins. Mr. Nichols has not only witnessed, but been a participant in the changes which have . . .
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. . . transformed the county into a land of abundance and prosperity. Every enterprise for the social, educational and religious advancement, has received his earnest support. He has held several offices of trust in Marshall Township, and has served as Trustee of the Oakland Presbyterian Church. During the forty-six years of his residence in the county, he has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact, and as a citizen and honored pioneer, he receives universal respect.
We present in connection with this sketch a portrait of this highly esteemed gentleman.
