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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  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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WALTER NICHOLS, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Bloomington; born in Boyle Co., Ky., Dec. 29, 1805; his grandfather, Walter Nichols, emigrated and served in the American army during the Revolutionary struggle. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in Newport, R. I. He emigrated to Kentucky, and followed his trade of cabinet-maker until 1844, when he came to Illinois; he died in Rushville, Schuyler Co. The subject of this sketch learned the cabinet-maker’s trade, which he followed until his marriage, when he purchased a farm of 800 acres, and followed farming and stock-raising in Kentucky until 1858; in the fall of 1860, he came to McLean Co., Ill., and purchased Sec. 28, Towanda Township, where he has since lived; he has since disposed of all, except eighty acres of the above, which he now rents to his son. His marriage with Elizabeth M. Thompson was celebrated Nov. 29, 1832; she was born in Virginia, and died Nov. 15, 1840, leaving three children—Mary H., Sarah T. and Nelson A. Upon the 16th of January, 1845, he was united in marriage with Martha Dunlap; she was born in Fayette Co., Ky.; they have six children now living by this union; having lost three by death, the living are: Louisa, Nannie B., James M., Ella R., Mattie O. and Walter; the deceased died in infancy. Presbyterian; Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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