My Genealogy Hound

NICHOLS, JOHN P., retired farmer; Sec. 19; P. O. Columbus; was born in Fayette county, Ky., Nov. 8, 1797. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Perkins) Nichols, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Maryland. His father died when he was five years of age; his mother married again and removed to Bourbon county. He learned the book-binding trade in Lexington, but after working at it four years, found it disagreed with his health and abandoned it and turned his attention to farming. He married Kitty Carter, Nov. 16, 1826, who was born in Bourbon county, Ky., March 21, 1808. They moved to Illinois and landed in Adams county in November, 1831; lived north of Quincy two years, then in February, 1834, two years later, he assisted in burning off the prairie and laying out the lots for the village of Columbus. They have had twelve children, nine living: Mrs. Mary Durant, Mrs. Louisa Thomas, James, Mrs. Emily Evans, Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols, John T., William H., Mrs. Salina McNeall and Mrs. Anna Torrence. Mr. N. has held the office of Collector and Supervisor, and was Assessor for five years, the first four immediately after the township was organized. He owns 160 acres in the home place, worth $40 per acre.