Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 519
PHINEAS NICHOLS, a leading and representative farmer of Wapsinonoc Township, residing on section 18, and one of the early settlers of the county, was born in New York, in the county of Geneva, 1827, and is a son od Jonas Nichols. The days of his boyhood were passed in his native State, and he was educated at the common schools. In the spring of 1853 he followed Horace Greeley's advice----" Go West young man, go West," and emigrated to Muscatine County, Iowa, locating on section 18, Wapsinonoc Township, where he has since continued to make his home. He purchased 480 acres of land, which he immediately began to develop, and now owns one of the best improved and cultivated farms in the vicinity. He has had a nice residence erected, barns and all other out-buildings necessary to a well-regulated farm have been built, and everything about the place shows that its manager is systematic and enterprising.

During the autumn of 1850, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage with Miss Martha G. Gibson, a native of the Buckeye State. Six children have been born of their union: Joseph, now a farmer of Wapsinonoc Township; Harriett, who became the wife of Albert Whitaker, who resides in Johnson County, Iowa; Lura, who makes her home with her parents; John Clark, at home; Rosetta and Rosella, who are also inmates of the parental home. Mrs. Nichols is lady highly esteemed for her many excellencies of character, is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Politically he is a Republican. His first vote he cast for Zachary Taylor, but since the organization of the Republican perty he has been a earnest advocate of its principles, a party whose leaders are numbered among the most able statesman of our country. He has several times been honored by his fellow-citizens with various local offices of trust, among which was the office of Township Trustee. In connection with general farming Mr. Nichols engages quite extensively in stock-raising, having upon his farm a fine grade of horses, cattle, and hogs, and in this branch of business has been very successful. He also owns, besides his large farm in Wapsinonoc Township, land in both Kansas and Nebraska.

As before stated our subject is one of the early settlers on this county, having been numbered among its leading citizens for over a third of a century. Since his coming he has seen the wild and uncultivated prairies transformed into beautiful homes and farm, towns and villages sprung up as if by magic, churches and schools have been built, and the iron horse traverses what was once an Indian trail. In all the work of development and progress Mr. Nichols has always borne his part, and he is numbered among the most highly respected citizens of the community.

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