Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 739 - 740 

WILLIE E. NICHOLS. There is probably not a finer farm in all its appointments on the northern line of Sedgwick County than the one being built up by the subject of this history, who is a young man still, and of whom, on account of his enterprise and industry, great things are expected in the future. He owns and operates 320 acres of fertile land, the greater part of which is under cultivation and admirably adapted to farming and stock-raising, in the latter of which Mr. Nichols is especially interested. He deals mostly in Short-horn cattle, usually keeping a herd of from sixty to eighty head, and from fourteen to fifteen head of horses, besides from fifty to 100 head of Poland-China hogs. For the accommodation of the stock there is an abundance of stabling, together with a fine barn and all the other necessary out‑buildings. The residence is in keeping with the taste and means of the proprietor, and one of the most attractive features of the farm is a beautiful grove of trees, three or four acres in extent. The whole forms a picture which invariably attracts the admiration of the passing traveler.

             Mr. Nichols commenced farming on his own account when a youth of sixteen years, having been invested with more than ordinary responsibilities at that age, owing to the death of his father, which occurred when the latter was quite a young man, in 1877. Subsequently he was the principal guardian and support of his mother and sister, and performed the duties devolving upon him in a most praise-worthy manner. His early home was in Coshocton County, Ohio, where his birth took place Nov. 20, 1861, and of which State his parents were also natives. His father, Clarkston C. Nichols, followed the profession of a lawyer from the time he was a young man until his death, and opened his first office at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Thence he removed to Topeka, Kan., where he established the Park City Kansan, which he conducted three or four years, then repaired to Sedgwick City, Harvey County, and resumed his law practice, giving afterward to this his entire attention. In the meantime he was elected County Attorney of Harvey County, and from there a few years later, removed to Newton, in the same county, where he practiced five years, and then, on account of failing health, returned to die among the friends of his youth in his native State. A part of his family returned there with him, but the three eldest children remained in Sedgwick City, and after the father's death were joined by the mother and the rest of the children and have since made their home here. The father of our subject took a lively interest in political affairs and did good service in the ranks of the Republican party, of whose principles he was an ardent supporter. He was fully versed in the intricacies of common law, was a close student and an extensive reader, and considered one of the most able attorneys of the State. He was a graduate of the Michigan State University, and upon being admitted to the bar abated in nowise his close application to is library.

            The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Orvilla Lakin, and born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1844. She is still living, making her home with her son Willie E. The latter is the eldest of six children, the others being named respectively: Laura Lorena, Sophia Belle, Elnora R., Ada, and Maude. Sophia is the wife of Amos J. Fry, a well-to-do farmer of Butler County, Kan., and the mother of one boy. The others are unmarried and live with the subject of this sketch.

            Mr. Nichols was deeply imbued with Republican principles by his honored father, and like the latter, upholds these with characteristic zeal. His extensive farming interests, however, preclude him from taking much part in political affairs, although his fellow-townsmen would be very glad to intrust him with a portion of the interests and responsibilities pertaining to the welfare of the general public. He was elected Clerk of School District No. 38, in 1884, but after serving a year resigned, feeling that he could not give to the office the attention which it required.

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