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Below is a family biography included in The History of Jefferson County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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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William T. Niccolls was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., February 26, 1842, and is a son of William T. Niccolls (deceased), also a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and a farmer by occupation, who died in 1848. William T. Niccolls, Jr., was reared to the pursuit of farming, and educated in Elder’s Ridge Academy, Indiana County, Penn. He enlisted for service in the late war as a private in an independent company, known as Gen. Anderson’s Troop, where he served a portion of the time as body guard, and was afterward transferred to the command of Sherman, then served under Buell, and later, under Rosecrans. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Antietam, Stone River and others, and was discharged as captain of his company. In 1870 he removed to Emporia, Kas., and was engaged in farming until 1874, which he was compelled to abandon on account of failing health, resulting from injuries received in the army. He then (in 1875) engaged in mercantile business in Xenia, Ohio, dealing in grain and agricultural implements, until 1877, when he assumed charge of the railway station at Carlisle, on the C. H. & D. R. R. one year, also carrying on his grain business. In 1878 he went to Ironton, Mo., and the following year settled in De Soto, where he has since lived. The first four years of his residence in Missouri he was assistant claim agent for the Iron Mountain Railroad, and has since been contracting for railroad supplies and dealing in lumber. December 25, 1867, he married Mary S. Thomas, whose father (now deceased) was of Westmoreland County, Penn. They have three children, Nellie, Samuel and Margaret. Mr. Niccolls is a member of the Knights of Honor, and the Society of Chosen Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Niccolls are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 224 biographies included in The History of Jefferson County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Jefferson County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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