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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  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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PHINEAS PENDLETON NICHOLS, D. D. S., a popular and promising young dentist of the city of Northampton, was born April 19, 1860, in the town of Searsport, Me. The family are of English origin. The American ancestors, having emigrated to the United States, were early settlers on the coast of Maine. James Nichols, the great-grandfather of Dr. Nichols, was born in Searsport in 1733, and there spent his entire life. Ship-building was then in its infancy; and he became interested in the trade, finally adopting it as his life occupation. He was one of the founders of this industry in Maine.

William Nichols, the grandfather of the Doctor, was a well-known ship-builder of Searsport. His union in 1802 with Nancy Pendleton, a daughter of Alexander Pendleton, strengthened the tie between two of the most prominent families of that town. They reared five sons and three daughters, of whom William G. Nichols became the father of the subject of this sketch.

William G. Nichols was born in Searsport, April 5, 1833, and has since continued a resident of the place of his nativity, becoming one of its most respected and esteemed citizens. On September 28, 1857, he was united in marriage to Lillias Pendleton, a daughter of Captain Phineas and Wealthy (Carver) Pendleton. The Carvers are lineally descended from Sir John Carver, who was first Governor of Massachusetts, his descendants having located on the Penobscot at an early day. The Carvers, Nicholses, Pendletons, and Griffins are very prominent in business and marine circles, being sea captains or ship builders. It is claimed they captain and control one-tenth of all the deep sea ships of the United States.

Dr. Nichols is one of two children born to his parents. The other child, a daughter, died in infancy. Ample opportunity was afforded him for obtaining an education, and after leaving Williston Seminary he was graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College in 1881. He began the practice of his profession in the place of his nativity, and during the eight years he remained there he met with flattering success. Desiring a more extended field Dr. Nichols came to Northampton in 1891, and formed a partnership with Dr. R. D. Brown. Three years later he bought out Dr. Brown’s interest, and has since carried on the business independently. Dr. Nichols’s practice is large and lucrative. He has earned a high reputation for skilful work.

On the 28th of January, 1891, Dr. Nichols was united in marriage with Maud McCready, a daughter of J. E. B. and Maud (Frieze) McCready, of St. John, N.B., where her father is well known as the editor of the St. John Telegram. Mrs. McCready died in early life, leaving two children, Mrs. Nichols and a son, Ernest W. McCready, who is on the editorial staff of the New York Herald. The only child born to the Doctor and his wife is a little daughter, Lillias Louine, born in 1895. Like her husband, Mrs. Nichols is finely educated, being a college graduate, and is the possessor of much artistic talent and taste. In politics the Doctor is a stanch Republican. He is a Knight Templar, and quite prominent in Masonic life, having joined that organization when twenty-one years old. He takes an intelligent interest in everything pertaining to the progress of the city or county, and is held in high regard in business and social circles. In the spring of 1895 he purchased his elegant residence on Elm Street, which is one of the finest in the vicinity.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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