My Genealogy Hound

L. W. Nichols, secretary of the Standard Vehicle Company, of Pontiac, Michigan, was born in 1875 at Antwerp, Jefferson County, New York, and is a son of E. C. Nichols, a resident of Flint, Michigan, who is a mechanic by trade and located in Michigan in 1880. Our subject has two brothers, both of whom are residents of Pontiac.

Mr. Nichols attended school but a few years, his business ability securing him a lucrative position before he was 13 years of age, when he was engaged as buyer for the Dunlap Vehicle Company with which corporation he was connected for 12 years. He has resided at Pontiac for the past four years as secretary of the Standard Vehicle Company. This business was incorporated August 12, 1901, and was organized by Mr. Nichols in connection with such prominent business men as the following: Henry C. Kudner, Joseph A. Linabury, J. B. Draper, James L. Hogle, Harry E. Peirce, George A. Brown, Frank L. Perry and J. A. Tillson. The officers of the company are: William H. Morgans, president; H. E. Peirce, vice-president; L. W. Nichols, secretary; and Cramer Smith, treasurer. The present board of directors include the officers and in addition: J. B. Draper, J. A. Grady and Chauncy Brace. The plant is located on the south side of Osmun street, near Saginaw, where it was erected by the company for the manufacture of all kinds of vehicles, and covers about 80,000 square feet of floor space. The management of this great business falls most heavily on Messrs. Nichols and Peirce and that it is well managed is proved by the great prosperity which has attended it. The capacity of the plant is about 7,000 jobs annually and about 100 workmen are employed. From Pontiac as the distributing point six traveling men cover the United States in the interests of the company. The plant has been fitted with all modern machinery and appliances regardless of expense, the cost approaching $30,000. The company is capitalized at $50,000 common and $33,000 preferred, the stock being kept in Pontiac, where the investment is eagerly sought.

Mr. Nichols met the estimable lady who is his wife, during a trip through the West, her home being in South Dakota. They have one son, Roger E., who was born at Flint, Michigan, seven years ago. The family residence is located on Park street, Pontiac. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols belong to the pleasant social life of the city and are most highly regarded. They belong to the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Nichols is a Republican, but is too much taken up with business to accept political preferment. Fraternally he is associated with the Knights of Pythias, A. I. U. and the Modern Woodmen of America.