For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 419
J. P. NICHOLS. The distinguishing characteristics of men who achieve success in various lines of business in America are energy, perseverance and clear judgment. Having these three attributes a man should hope to accomplish a worthy object in life, especially if he is blessed with a sound constitution. This has been illustrated in innumerable instances, and the career of J. P. Nichols, deceased, is another evidence of the truth of this statement. Born in Muscatine county, March 1, 1855, he was the son of Phineas and Martha (Gibson) Nichols, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.J. P. Nichols grew up under the favoring influences of a well regulated home and received in the public schools an education that prepared him excellently for the responsibilities of later years. He remained at home until after arriving at maturity, and having married at twenty-three years of age, he began farming upon his own account, continuing with a high degree of success until 1903, when he removed to West Liberty and retired from active labors. He died May 26, 1906, and was laid to rest in Oakridge cemetery. During his business career he made a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and cattle, and as a breeder of shorthorn cattle attained a reputation which placed him among the most successful men in that line in the state. He was also to great extent, a breeder of a standard grade of horses and was always an owner and lover of good horses. He was identified with various business enterprises and for a number of years served as director of the Peoples State Bank of West Liberty.
On the 21st day of February, 1878, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Elnora P. Hall, a native of Johnson county, Iowa, and daughter of N. M. and Sophia (Means) Hall, the former a native of Knox county, Ohio, and the latter of the state of Virginia. The parents lived in Wisconsin for a short time and came to Iowa in 1857, Mr. Hall becoming one of the prosperous farmers of Johnson county. In 1903 he sold his farm and now makes his home in West Liberty, having arrived at the venerable age of seventy-nine years. His wife passed away in September, 1891. There were six children in their family, three of whom are now living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nichols one daughter, Nellie Blanch, was born, January 23, 1879. She is a graduate of the West Liberty high school and also attended the University School of Music at Iowa City and is now a successful teacher of that art. She makes her home with her mother.
Mr. Nichols was a member of the Knights of Pythias of West Liberty and also of the Methodist church. He was a man of many attractive qualities who made friends readily and retained their sincere respect. Mrs. Nichols and her daughter are the owners of three hundred acres of land in Muscatine county and a fine residence on Third street in West Liberty and also five lots in Oak Park. Mrs. Nichols also has stock in the Peoples State Bank. She is a valued member of the Pythian Sisters and an active worker in the Methodist church, while Miss Nichols holds membership in the Pythian Sisters and in the P. E. O. Society. She is also a member of the Fournightly Club. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols reared a niece, Sarah Bertha Hall, who became a member of the family at the age of three years. She received a good high-school education and is now a popular teacher in the schools of West Liberty.
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