NICHOLS, Edwin

NICHOLS, COOMES, HENDRICKSON

Posted By: Jennifer Gunderson (email)
Date: 3/15/2021 at 20:49:58

The first man to break sod in this township was Edwin Nichols, in 1858, at which time he broke nine acres of his present farm. He raised his first wheat in the summer of 1860. He made improvements from time to time, and in 1866 erected a house, which was the first dwelling in the township. Mr. Nichols did not live on the farm himself, but rented it. Edwin Nichols came to Cerro Gordo county, in company with Oscar Stevens, and brought the machinery for a steam saw mill which they established at Clear Lake. After operating the mill two seasons, Mr. Nichols sold his interest to Mr. Stevens. He had, on coming to the county, purchased 400 acres of land, and, on disposing of his mill property, he gave his landed estate his undivided attention.

When the rebellion shook the country to its remotest limits, Mr. Nichols responded to the Nation's cry for help by enlisting in company B, 32d Iowa, and after active service through three years was discharged for physical disability.

He returned to Clear Lake, but impaired health precluded his engaging in any active business. He managed the improvements on his land and put it in first-class condition, and, in 1880, established his residence thereon. His farm now includes 300 acres, and is one of the most valuable and desirable homesteads in this part of Iowa. His principles are those of the democratic party.

Edwin Nichols was born in Massachusetts, March 7, 1827. He is a son of Charles and Fanny (Coomes) Nichols. They left the Bay State in 1846 and settled in Dane Co., Wis., where the father died Aug. 26, of the same year. The mother died in 1850. Of their family of eleven children, six only are living. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Nichols are Emmeline, Mary, Susan, John and Harriet E. In 1852 Mr. Nichols connected himself with the westward tide flowing with increasing volume toward the Pacific slope, and spent two years in the mining ventures of California, meeting with signal success.

His domestic history dates from May, 1856, when he was married at Portage City, Wis., to Elizabeth Hendrickson. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have had five children — Florence A., Edwin J., Charles B., (born Oct. 16, 1859, and died March 9, 1860), Charles L. and Wilfred C. Mr. Nichols belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Source: History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo Counties, Iowa. Union Publ. Co. Springfield IL. 1883. p. 908.