Henry Nichols, 1868

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Fri, 16 Feb 2001

Surname: NICHOLS, JOHNSON, BULLRICK, VanGuilder, HUTCHINS, SHELDON

----Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

HENRY NICHOLS, a prosperous farmer residing in Section 17, Loyal Township, was born in Hingham, Sheboygan County, Wis., July 3, 1868. His parents were Charles and Jane (Johnson) Nichols, the father being a native of Ohio. When a boy Charles Nichols accompanied his parents to Sheboygan County., this state, and worked on a farm there until he was 18 years old. He then enlisted in the 3ist Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Feb. 3, 1864, as a private in Company H, his captain being E. K. Bullrick and the colonel of the regiment H. West. This organization was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, 20th Corps, Army of the James, and Mr. Nichols took part in the siege of Atlanta, the battle of Peach Tree Creek, siege of Savannah and the actions at Averasborough and Bentonville, being with Sherman on his march to the sea. He took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., May 25,1865, and was honorably discharged July 20th the same year.

Returning to Sheboygan County, he then married Mrs. Jane Johnson, a widow, whose husband had been killed in the war, and devoted himself to clearing a farm, in which work he continued there until 1882. During that time three children were born to them--Henry, Lydia and Effie. In the year last mentioned, Mr. Nichols came with his family to Loyal, Clark County, buying a partly improved farm of forty acres, which was his home for the rest of his life. Henry Nichols remained at home and attended school until he was 16 years old. He then began working in the woods and was employed for four winters, being occupied on the farm in the summer. March 16, 1895, he was united in marriage with Eliza Hutchins, whose father, Ransom Hutchins, was a farmer in Unity Township, to which place he had come from Fond du Lac County, Wis. He was born in New York State, the son of Abner and Harriett (Van Guilder) Hutchins, and was a child when he accompanied his parents to Fond du Lac County, where he was subsequently reared and educated. Mrs. Nichols' mother was, before her marriage, Lorinda Sheldon.

After his marriage, Mr. Nichols resided with his wife on his parents' homestead for fourteen years, and then moved to the village, where for two years he did various kinds of work. At the end of that time he bought forty acres in Section 17, Loyal Township, it being an improved farm. Here he has since built a barn 28 by 40 feet in size, and a fifty-five-ton silo, and has remodeled the house, installing it with modern equipments. He raises graded Holstein cattle with profitable results, and ranks as one of the prosperous citizens of his township. He and his wife have two children: Evelyn and Geneva, both living at home.