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Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Uriah J. Nichols, one of the leading citizens of Altus, Franklin Co., Ark., was born in Marion County, Tenn., August 19, 1840, and is the son of Harvey and Linia (Blansett) Nichols, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee respectively. The father was born March 10, 1814, is still living, and is now residing in Hogan Township, Franklin Co., Ark. The mother was born in Tennessee November 20, 1820, and died in Franklin County, Ark., May 20, 1873. After her death Mr. Nichols married Mrs. Margaret Cargyle, widow of James Cargyle. Harvey Nichols after his first marriage lived for some time in Tennessee, then moved to Alabama, and after a residence there of two years, moved to Franklin County, Ark., in 1850, and located near Ozark. He has been a farmer all his life, and in connection also followed the carpenter trade. He has held numerous county offices, as justice of the peace, constable, deputy sheriff, etc., and was at one time a candidate for sheriff, but was defeated by two votes. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To his first marriage were born seven sons and two daughters, six sons and one daughter now living: Uriah J., W. F., T. J., K. d., James H., A. J., and Margaret, wife of John Carr. John L. and Mary E. are the ones deceased. Uriah J. remained with his father until in the spring of 1961, when he enlisted in the State troops, Walker’s company, and served a short period in the State troops. He afterward enlisted in Company K, of the Second Arkansas Cavalry, Federal service, serving three years and two months. He was at Iron Mountain, and during Price’s raid was sent to Tennessee, but was never in any more general engagements. February 18, 1864, he married Miss Elizabeth Ann Jackman, daughter of Capt. Richard Jackman, of Barry County, Mo., where his daughter was born July 3, 1842. Mr. Nichols and wife remained in Cassville until the fall of 1866, when they returned to Franklin County, Ark., and have since lived in the neighborhood of Altus, engaged in farming. He helped lay off the town of Altus. He was engaged in general merchandising for several years, and built the Commercial House, of which he was landlord for five years. This was, and is now, the best hotel in Altus. Mr. Nichols is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Nichols is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 163 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Franklin County, Arkansas family biographies here: Franklin County, Arkansas

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