For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 166
VALENTINE F. NICHOLSON. Valentine F. Nicholson, who has reached the venerable age of ninety years, has been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and is the owner of one hundred and thrity-five acres of valuable land in Fulton township. His birth occurred in Washington county, Indiana, on the 10th of January, 1821, his parents being Thomas and Margaret ( Dow ) Nicholson, who were born, reared and married in Virginia. The father was born on the 10th of January, 1789, while the mother's birth occurred in May, 1785. Thomas Nicholson was a slaveholder in the Old Dominion but released them after locating in Kentucky. From that state he removed to Indiana, where his remaining days were spent, his demise occurring in 1848. His wife was called to her final rest in August, 1844.Valentine F. Nicholson remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own, settling on a farm in Fulton township, Muscatine county, Iowa, where he has resided continuously since. By his first purchase of land he came into possession of a tract of eighty acres, which he improved and eventually transformed into a productive farm. He also entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres but later sold that property. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchase until it now embraces over one hundred and thirty five acres of valuable land on section 36, Fulton township, thirty-five acres thereof being in timber. His labors as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and he has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
On the 24th of March, 1844, Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shroyer, by whom he had three children, as follows: one who died in infancy, Thomas B., who died while serving as a soldier in the Civil war; and John T., who is a resident of Douglas, Arizona. The wife and mother passed away on the 28th of July, 1852, and about two years later Mr. Nicholson wedded Mrs. Rinerson, the widow of Isaac R. Rinerson. She bore the maiden name of Mary A. Daniels and was a native of Kentucky, while her parents were born in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson had eleven children: Lusetta, Marian J., Charles W., Martha E., Mary E., William S., Alvin W., Isaac Lincoln, Nora, Anise, and one who died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Nicholson is an advocate and supporter of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He has held the office of school trustee for many years and in fact has filled all of the positions in connection with the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. The period of his residence in Muscatine county covers two-thirds of a century and he is well and favorably known within its borders. He has passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey and received the respect and vereration which should ever be accorded one who has travled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
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