HUMPHREY G. NICHOLS

HUMPHREY G. NICHOLS, a prominent pioneer of Lincoln Township, was born in New York State, Essex County, January 30, 1832. He is a son of Aaron and Eleanor (Cole) Nichols, both New Englanders by birth. Humphrey G. was a babe when his parents went to Orleans County, Vermont, where he grew to manhood and received his education. Mr. Nichols was united in marriage October 29, 1854, to Miss Caroline Hanson, a native of New Hampshire, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Eunice (Furnel) Hanson, also natives of New Hampshire. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Nichols emigrated to Iowa, settling in Chickasaw County,where they lived one winter. They then went to Floyd County, where they bought land, and lived for three years; their next residence was in Winnebago County, Iowa, where they remained one year. They then went to Decatur County, Iowa, and from this place to Polk County, where Mr. Nichols worked at farming and in a saw-mill. They then came to Shelby County, Iowa, Mr. Nichols driving a yoke of steers and a yoke of cows, and Mrs. Nichols driving the other cattle and sheep behind the wagon. They were the first to settle in Lincoln Township, there being only two or three houses built at that time, the fall of 1865. Mr. Nichols has a well-improved farm of 160 acres, a comfortable house, a barn, a grove and an orchard, all showing the thrift and prosperity of the owner. He and his wife are the parents of three children -- Annette, wife of Isaac Parsons, of Audubon County; Julia, wife of Stephen Parsons, of Audubon County; and Leaphey, wife of Uriah Parsons, of Audubon County; they lost one child by death. Our subject casts his political suffrage with the Republican party. He bears his years lightly, is plain of speech and manner, and is numbered with the reliable men of the county.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 632-633. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs