John C. Nichols

As printed in 1911

JOHN C. NICHOLS.

Muscatine county does not owe its high standing exclusively to the labors of men attracted from other sections of the state or country, for many of its leading citizens were born in this country and have devoted the principal years of their lives to the upbuilding of this region. John C. Nichols, a well known business man of West Liberty, is a native of Muscatine county who has contributed his full share toward its material development. He was born near West Liberty, August 26, 1867, a son of Phineas and Martha (Gibson) Nichols. The father was one of several brothers who came to Muscatine in the early days and passed the remainder of his life in Wapsinonoc township on a farm five miles west of West Liberty. He was a man of the highest honor and integrity and a leader in the community, becoming not only one of its most successful farmers but also vice president of the Peoples Bank. Politically he gave his support to the republican party. Both hand his wife have passed away and were laid to rest in Oakridge cemetery. Mrs. Nichols was a native of Muscatine county and a woman of many admirable characteristics. There were six children in the family: J. P., deceased. Mrs. Albert Whitacre, Mrs. J. E. Sanders, John C, Mrs. Rosetta Muckey and Mrs. J. C. Wolfe, twins.

lohn C. Nichols received his preliminary education in the district schools, later attending the Iowa City Commercial College, where he gained a practical knowledge which assisted him very greatly in the course of his business affairs. He began farming upon his own account upon a place just over the county line In Johnson county, but after one year returned to Wapsinonoc township, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until July 9, 1909, when he entered the hardware business in West Liberty, which is conducted under the firm name of Eves & Nichols. The firm carries a full line of hardware, tinware, stoves and furnaces and enjoys a large and growing patronage. Mr. Nicholas is the owner of eighty-five acres of land which is outside of the city limits, and also of a handsome residence and five acres on Columbus street. He is a stockholder and director of the Peoples Bank.

On the ist of January, 1888, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Sadie E. Hall, a native of Johnson county, and five children have blessed their union: Hazel B., now a student at Drake University; Zona S., a teacher of the schools of eastern Iowa; Phineas, who is twelve years of age and is attending the public schools; Elinor, nine years of age; and Gladys, aged seven.

Mr. Nichols gives his support to the republican party and as a patriotic citizen served in a most satisfactory manner as a member of the city council. He has been active in advancing the affairs of the community and is a member of the building committee for the construction of the new opera house, also president of the Agricultural Society, which includes parts of Muscatine, Johnson and Cedar counties. This society was organized forty-five years ago and his father was one of its active promoters, being for a number of years its vice president. Mr. Nichols socially is identified with the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife are valued members of the Presbyterian church. A man of unusual enterprise and public spirit, he has gained many friends and is justly regarded as a highly useful citizen of broad sympathies and one who possesses a clear comprehension of the possibilities of West Liberty and vicinity.

As printed in History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.