J.A. Nicol, a grain and stock buyer, now of Simpson, Mitchell county, but until recently identified with the interests of Cloud county since 1893, is the senior member of the firm of Nicol & Nicol; the junior member is a son, James Herbert.

Mr. Nicol is a native of Marion county, Missouri, but when ten years of age he moved with his father's family to Shelby county, where he was educated and lived until twenty-two years of age. He then started westward and went on to the Pacific coast, mining and teaming at Austin, Nevada, and Calusa county, California. He was interested in the livery business at the latter place and when three years elapsed he returned to his Missouri home and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1883. Deciding to go west again he went to Nebraska and settled in Otoe county; one and a half years later he removed to Nuckolls county and in 1893 came to Kansas and settled in the southern part of Cloud county, where he farmed successfully and raised and fed stock extensively.

The firm of Nicol & Nicol began business in Simpson in the month of July, 1900. They purchased the elevator, stock and trade of Ira A. Foote, a merchant of Simpson, who established the enterprise about eighteen years ago. The capacity of the elevator is about three thousand bushels. In connection with the grain business they buy and ship hogs and cattle. Mr. Nicol owns and operates a farm in Cloud county, comprising three hundred and twenty acres and one of the best improved properties in that vicinity. He has one hundred and sixty acres of wheat this year (1901) and forty acres of alfalfa. His land is well watered by three never failing wells and two windmills. His farm house is a commodious stone residence of six rooms.

Mr. Nicol's father was Henry N. Nicol, a native of Rappahannock county, Virginia, born in 1810. He moved to Marion county, Missouri, in 1834 and died in Shelby county, Missouri, in 1868. Mr. Nicol's paternal grandfather came with his parents from Germany in his infancy and settled in Pennsylvania. He later settled in Virginia. Mrs. Nicol's people were Virginians.

Mr. Nicol was married in 1871 to Louisa Cochran, a daughter of J.W. Cochran. Her father came from Kentucky in his boyhood and settled in Missouri in 1832. He returned to Kentucky and married Margaret A. Martin. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicol three children have been born: John W., a pharmacist of Walsenburg, Colorado, is a graduate of the Lawrence University, class of 1900. James H., who is associated with his father, took a two years' course in the Ottawa University. Lydia is a teacher in the primary grade of the Simpson schools. She taught two terms in District No. 39. She was a student of the Lawrence University one year. She and both her brothers were graduates of the common schools at Simpson and she and John W. are graduates of the Glasco high school.

Politically, Mr. Nicol is a Democrat. The family are members of the Baptist church at Simpson. He is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, Asherville Lodge No. 361. Mr. Nicol is a public spirited man, has had a successful business career and is ranked among the best citizens of his community. His children have had good educational advantages, and are useful members of society. Mr. Nicol has recently purchased the handsome Duby residence property in Glasco, where his estimable family will be an acquisition to the social circle.