My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of East Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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W. F. Nichols was born in Sevier County, Tenn., November 1, 1828. He is the son of John J. and Margaret M. (Scantlen) Nichols. Both parents were natives of Bedford County, Va., and one year after their marriage they removed to Sevier County, Tenn., in 1819, and settled on the Little Pigeon River, two miles above Sevierville. Here they reared their family of three sons and two daughters. They were of Irish descent. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812. They died in Sevierville, the father at the age of fifty-three, the mother at fifty-seven. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated in the country schools. He began farming for himself at the age of twenty-six, having been overseer for B. M. Chandler the seven years previous. In 1853 he married Rhoda H. Hill, daughter of Randal and Effie Hill. Five sons and four daughters have blessed the marriage. Our subject commenced farming for himself. He had very little capital, and by hard toil and energy his efforts have been crowned with success, yet he has had many obstacles to surmount. He now owns and cultivates a farm of 400 acres, having owned at one time 700 acres. He has been one of the most successful farmers of the county. He came to Jefferson County in 1868. During the civil war he was a strong Union man, and was refused entrance to the army on account of a deformed arm, but during all the time he was scouting, guiding and recruiting for the Union Army. He is a Master Mason, and an ardent Republican.

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This family biography is one of 938 biographies included in The History of East Tennessee published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: History of East Tennessee

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

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