My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Sumner County, 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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Samuel Nickelson (deceased), late manufacturer of woolen goods in Gallatin, was born in Salem, Mass., in 1814, son of John and Jane (Williston) Nickelson. (For further particulars of parents see sketch of J. Nickelson.) At the age of seven our subject went to Newton Upper Falls in Massachusetts, and was employed in the cotton factory, learning carding and spinning. When a youth he was quite skillful and afterward became superintendent. About 1839 he went to Covington, Ky., where he resided two years. In 1841 he went to Lebanon, Tenn., and was employed as superintendent of the cotton-mills. 1848 he passed in Massachusetts, and the following year he went to California, it taking him 169 days to make the trip. He lived in the Golden State three years and during this time worked in the gold mines. He was among the first influx of immigrants to the State after the discovery of gold. He returned to Lebanon in 1852, and October 4 of the same year he married Miss Dorthula V. Phipps, a native of Lebanon, Tenn., born in 1826,and the daughter of W. R. D. Phipps, of Yazoo County, Miss. To them were born seven children: Albert O. P., who is in the government employ in Indian Territory; William R. D., an M. D. of Pastoria, Ark.; Samuel, Leola V., Ophelia and Victoria (twins), and Edwin F. In 1854 Mr. Nickelson went to Pulaski, Tenn., and began manufacturing cotton goods, which he continued until 1864, when he moved to Cambridge, Mass., and from there to Gallatin in 1868, where he erected a woolen-mill known as the Eagle Woolen Mills. In December, 1874, the mill was burned, and the following year Mr. Nickelson erected another, or the present one. Mr. Nickelson also owned twelve acres in Gallatin and a beautiful home. He also owned 335 acres in Alabama. He died June 5, 1877, and after his death his oldest son operated the mill. Mr. Nickelson was a Democrat in politics, a Mason and a Baptist in belief, although his family were members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a man of much public spirit, a Christian gentleman and a good citizen.

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This family biography is one of 115 biographies included in The History of Sumner County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of Sumner County was included within The History of Sumner, Smith, Macon & Trousdale Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Sumner, Smith, Macon and Trousdale Counties of Tennessee

View additional Sumner County, Tennessee family biographies here: Sumner County, Tennessee

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