In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1910) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910), The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882)
WILLIAM H. NICHOLAS, farmer and stock dealer, section 24, was born in Vinton County, Ohio, December 23, 1844. When he was six years of age his parents moved to Stark County, Illinois, and in the year 1876 he came to his present location. He was reared on a farm and made agricultural pursuits his occupation during life, excepting the years 1877 8-, when he was engaged in the hardware trade at Quitman. February 18, l86< he enlisted during the late war, in Company B, of the Seventh Illinois, ami was mustered out July 9th of the same year. His landed estate consists of 20 acres, with more than ordinary improvements. Mr. Nicholas is a member of Burlington Junction Lodge, No. 442, A. F. and A. M. He has been twice married —first December 20, 1800, to Miss Mary M. Colwell. She was born in Peoria Count)', Illinois, in September, 1847, and died October 14, [868. They had one child: Delia, now deceased. Mr. X. was married the second time September 10, 1872, to Miss Sarah Darby. She was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 24, 1854. They have five children now living: Nettie P., Pearley D., Charley, Ann ami Allie — and one son. Elmer 1 is deceased.
As printed in The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
W. H. NICHOLAS.
How true and comforting that life is measured not by years alone, but rather by a purpose achieved, by noble deeds accredited to it. How often are we confronted, when a loved friend answers the final summons, with the question, “Why must he go when there yet remains so much for him to do, when he can so illy be spared?" But the grim reaper heeds not and we are left to mourn and to accept submissively. The death of Mr. Nicholas, on the 16th day of February, 1903, removed from Nodaway township one of its strongest characters, a man who through the years of his residence here constantly grew in the estimation of those who knew him and in his death the community suffered a distinct loss.
W. H. Nicholas was born in Vinton county, Ohio, on December 23, 1845, and was the son of John and Nellie (Graves) Nicholas. His parents were natives of North Carolina, who removed to Ohio in an early day, settling in Vinton county. About 1848 they removed to Stark county, Illinois, local ing near Wyoming, where they carried on farming pursuits. They remained there until 1876, when they came to Nodaway county, the subject and his wife coming with them. Together they bought two hundred and eighty acres of land, where Mrs. Nicholas now lives, and there the parents spent the rest of their days, they being now buried at Burlington Junction. The parents also owned one hundred and sixty acres across the road from the home farm, of which they gave to their son Leonard eighty acres. They had also owned several hundred acres of land in Illinois. They were good farmers and gave considerable attention to the raising of good livestock. The subject of this sketch was reared by his parents and remained with them after his marriage, coming, as has been said, with them to this county. He had secured a good education in the common schools and was an intelligent and well-read man. He became a successful farmer and stock raiser and was numbered among the leading farmers of his township. On February 23, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served one year.
On September 18, 1870, Mr. Nicholas married Sarah Darby, who was born in Vinton county, Ohio, March 13, 1853, the daughter of Britton and Nancy (Graves) Darby. The father was probably born in North Carolina and died in Vinton county, Ohio. He was a successful farmer and was a veteran of the Mexican war. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas were born the following children: Nettie Belle, born February 17, 1871; Elmer Layton, born August 7, 1872, died in 1876; Pearl Day, born July 27, 1874; Charles, born March 14, 1876; Anna, born August 23, 1878; Allie, born September 15, 1880; Zella May, born February 28, 1883; Lima, born May 24, 1885? Fred, born May 10, 1887; Harry, born July 27, 1889; Gertrude Myrtle, born February 15, 1893; Nellie Ethel, born October 25, 1895, died February 7, 1897.
Fraternally Mr. Nicholas was an appreciative member of the time-hon ored order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for many years and in his life he exemplified the sublime principles of that beneficent order. His religious membership was with the United Brethren church, to which he gave liberally and in the success of which he was deeply interested. Possessing a genial disposition and always on the alert to be of service to others, especially those of his own household, he lacked not for friends and his home was the center of a large social circle. He was one of God’s noblemen and was eminently deserving of the high opinion in which he was generally held.
As printed in Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Burlington Junction
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.