My Genealogy Hound

GARRIT S. NICHOLS, a descendant of an old New England family, was born at Port Providence, Montgomery county, October 12, 1839. He is a son of the Rev. Dyer A. and Laura (Ward) Nichols.

Rev. Dyer A. Nichols (father) was born in Rhode Island, being the son of James Nichols, of the same state. Dyer A. Nichols was well educated and studied navigation, learning to navigate the ocean. He was afterwards converted to the Baptist faith and attended Hamilton College, at Clinton, New York, to prepare for the ministry. He was ordained at Auburn, New York, where he married. About 1826 he removed to Pennsylvania, his first charge being at Harrisburg. He afterward was called to Roxboro, Phoenixville, Valley Forge and later to the upper part of Chester county. He helped to organize the Rock church in Chester county. He settled at Port Providence, and ministered at many different places. He helped to organize and build the First Baptist church, at Norristown, and many other churches throughout the country. He was an excellent singer and attracted large audiences wherever he went. Although he never aspired to political preferment, he was a strong Henry Clay man, and served as postmaster of Port Providence. He went to Rhode Island to attend to some property, and while he was returning, he had a paralytic stroke near Philadelphia, from the effects of which he died. He was buried in the Morris cemetery, Phoenixville, in 1869, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife survived him and died in 1883, at the age of eighty-five years. Their children were: Egbert K., an attorney-at-law and member of council of Philadelphia, who is prominently identified with city affairs; Phineas P., a physician; Anda C. (Mrs. T. F. Highley); Garrit S., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Rev. Dyer Nichols was born in Vermont.

James Nichols (grandfather) was a native of Rhode Island. His wife belonged to a distinguished family of seafaring people. He was a farmer and well known man of his county. He was a leading member of the Baptist church and lived and died in his birthplace. His children: Benjamin, a farmer; Charles, a farmer; Rev. Dyer A.; Hannah (Mrs. Day); Lucy, married Captain Joseph Spenser, a sea captain. Alexander Nichols (great-grandfather) was a descendant of the immigrant who came from Wales and settled in New England during the colonial days. John and Deborah Ward, of Vermont, the maternal grandparents of Garrit S. Nichols, were descendants of early colonial families. John Ward was a drummer boy and soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was a prominent farmer in Vermont for many years, afterwards removing to Auburn, New York, where he died. He was a leading member of the Baptist church, and a Free Mason. Ashel Ward, the maternal great-grandfather, was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and was taken prisoner. During his imprisonment he suffered many tortures, but the Ward family were always noted for the fact that they were willing to lay down their lives for their country. They were farmers, professional men and bankers.

John Ward had several children, among others being: Laura, mother of Garrit S. Nichols, and Alexis, for a number of years president of a bank at Olean, New York.

Garrit S. Nichols lived with his father in Montgomery county during his youth, and in 1861 enlisted in Company E, Eighty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (the Cameron Guards), with Colonel George P. McLane, for three years’ service in the Rebellion. He was a private. After long, hard service he re-enlisted as a veteran, and fought in the Army of the Potomac. He participated in many skirmishes and many hotly contested battles, his first service being at Cedar Mountain, and he was with his regiment in every battle until he was wounded in the arm at Antietam. He remained in the field hospital until he was again able to serve and at the preliminary battle of Spottsylvania Court House he again received a bullet wound in the upper part of his left thigh, the ball remaining in his body for about twenty-five years, when he was compelled to have it cut out. He has never fully recovered from the effects of this wound, and it has materially interfered with his business career. He was promoted on merit first to sergeant, then to second lieutenant, and finally to first lieutenant. On account of his wounds he was mustered out of service at the Marine Hospital, and received honorable discharge at Washington, D. C., October 5, 1864. He draws a small pension.

After returning to his home he placed himself under the care of a physician, and was unable to do any work at all for more than a year. He went to Michigan, and at Cold Water served as deputy county register of wills, and later as clerk in an abstract office. In 1869, at the time of his father’s death, he returned to Montgomery county. Later he was appointed baggage master and car inspector at Perkiomen Junction for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company. He later became brakeman and then train master on the Perkiomen road, filling almost every position there was to offer. At the end of eight years he was obliged to resign on account of his wounds, and remained unemployed for two years. Then the railroad company placed him as watchman at the Schuylkill bridge, where he still remains. He has been in the employ of the railroad for thirty years. From his earliest voting he has been a strong Republican, and has worked for his party in campaigns.

Garrit S. Nichols married Miss Mary E. Rossiter, who was born at Port Carbon, Pennsylvania. She received a good education and was a school teacher for a number of years. Their children: Orville, died in 1896, at the age of twenty- six years; Herbert S., died in 1895, at the age of twenty-three years; Ward, born in 1874, is a railroad man; Laura M., and Breta A. All are unmarried. In 1892 Mrs. Mary E. Nichols died. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. Her husband is a Dunkard. Mrs. Nichols was the daughter of Armot and Mary E. (Coates) Rossiter, both natives of Montgomery county. He was a school teacher and a prominent educator. He served in the war of 1812, and died at Port Carbon. He was a brother of Lindley Rossiter, a prominent man. The Rossiter family were members of the Society of Friends, and the Coates family Episcopalians. The children of Armot and Mary E. (Coates) Rossiter: Linsley, a pattern maker; Preston, died while serving in the Civil war; Samuel C., a literary man; Rachel (Mrs. H. Acker), and Mary E. (Mrs. Nichols).