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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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Judge William N. Nichols was born in East Tennessee, September 8, 1822, and is a son of George N. and Elizabeth (Kilgore) Nichols, also natives of that State, where they were married. Later the family removed to Blount County, Ala., where the father died when our subject was but an infant. The mother then returned to Tennessee, and afterward married Mr. Lesley, who settled among the Chickasaw Indians in Mississippi in an early day. William N. thus grew to manhood with Indian youths and maidens for companions, the white settlements being widely separated. In 1845 he married Mary Ward, a native of Tennessee, who was reared in that State and Mississippi. Until 1854 Mr. Nichols was engaged in the tanning business, and he then went to Arkansas. After traveling over twenty-two counties he returned to Mississippi, and two years later immigrated to Polk County, Ark., where he resided a number of years. He served three consecutive terms as county and probate judge of that county. In 1868 he purchased his present place in Franklin County. This contains 100 acres of cultivated land, near Altus, and is one of the best improved and well cared for farms in the county. Although Mr. Nichols has not aspired to political honors since coming to this county, he has always taken an interest in local affairs, and has served in several minor offices of trust and honor. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have nine children: Jackson L. (married), James A., William P. (married and in Indian Territory), Palsa (wife of D. Barnes), Lulie A. (wife of D. G. Dillard), J. D. (married), George W. and Margaret A. Three of their children are deceased, viz.: Elizabeth Blaylock (who left a family), Amanda (who died when three years old) and Rufus D. (who left a family). Judge Nichols, his wife, and almost all of his children belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Judge is a Master Mason, and for two years was Master of his lodge. He has also filled other positions in the lodge, and is a gentleman highly respected by the community.

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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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