Nicholson - William - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Francis M. Nichols was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1829. At an early age came with his father's family to this county and settled near Whitesville. Here he grew to manhood, enduring all the hardships of pioneer life. At the age of 18 he entered the saddle and harness shop of William Nicholson, who was then the leading harness maker of the town. Having learned the trade he entered the harness shop of B. L. Ornbaun in 1856, where he remained till last fall, when he was compelled to give up on account of the malady which caused his death. On Nov. 20, 1857, Mr. Nichols was married to Martha C. Mitchell, daughter of Andrew Mitchell, one of the early settlers of Crawfordsville. To them was born one daughter, Ida Geneva, who is now Mrs. Selby. His wife, Martha C., died on Mar. 1, 1801. On Dec. 30, 1808, he was married to Mary J. Crane, daughter of Washington Crane, who came to this county more than seventy years age. To Mr. Nichols and his last wife were born four children: John Roy, Everett Lee, Harry Morton, and Grace Mae, who with their mother, are left to mourn their irreparable loss

Mr. Nichols was a man of indomitable energy and industry. For forty years he scarcely lost a day from his bench except when at his country's call he shouldered his musket and went forth to battle valiantly for her salvation. For a year or more he had been an intense and constant sufferer but through it all he bore himself the heroic soldier that he was. Mr. Nichols was a kind and accommodating neighbor, a faithful friend and a loving husband and father. A Friend.