Source:
Centennial History of Coshocton  County, Ohio
By Wm Bahmer
Vols. I & II
Illustrated
- Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1909

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ALBERT C. NICHOLS.  The home farm of Albert C. Nichols, situated in Tuscarawas township, is one of the scenic features of this section of the state, commanding a splendid view of the city of Coshocton as well as the valleys of the Muskingum, Tuscarawas and Walhonding rivers.  Mr. Nichols was born in this county, May 22, 1872, a son of Alfred and Ellen (Countryman) Nichols.      The son was reared to farm life, early being trained to the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer boy.  He spent the winter months in the acquirement of an education in the district schools, wherein he mastered the ordinary branches of learning.  He established a home of his own by his marriage on the 13th of October, 1897, to Miss Edith Wood, a daughter of Joseph N. and Sarah Wood, residing near Coshocton.  Following their marriage the young couple took up their abode on their present farm, situated one mile southeast of Coshocton.  It is a highly improved tract of land, well located and arable, with excellent drainage, and supplied with good and substantial outbuildings.  A beautiful country home is also here found, the house standing on the hill overlooking the city of Coshocton and the site of the Muskingum, Tuscarawas and Walhonding valleys, and the place with all its appointments constitutes one of the fine landscape views of this section of the county.  Mr. Nichols is engaged in general farming, and there is also a coal mine on the place, which he operates, thus making it one of the valuable as well as one of the attractive properties of district.      The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols has been blessed with two children: Garnette E. and Joseph A.  Mr. Nichols gives his political support to the democratic party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.  He is a man of push and progress, with a keen interest in all public matters.  He is a man of great natural ability, one who has made good use of his opportunities, so that his success is well deserved. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton  County, Illinois - Vol. I - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1909 - Page 521

ELI NICHOLS.  To those who are at all familiar with the pioneer history of Coshocton county, the name of Nichols is a prominent one, for in the early days there was no citizen of this section of the state who did more for its development and progress than Eli Nichols.  He was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1799, a son of John and Jane (Fallis) Nichols, of English and Irish parentage respectively.  The father preempted land from the government in New Castle township and made his home thereon throughout his remaining days.      Eli Nichols accompanied his parents on their removal from Virginia to the Buckeye state and was reared to the occupation of farming in Belmont county, later removing to New Castle township, Coshocton county.  He was married Mount Pleasant, Mar. 31, 1819, to Miss Rachel Loyd and began his domestic life on the farm which had been entered from the government by his father.  He here built a palatial residence of stone, this being erected in the old English style of architecture with Gothic roof.  It was surrounded by well kept grounds and on the whole it was a picturesque property.  He was engaged in general farming and in connection with that pursuit also practiced law in Belmont county, being one of the pioneers of the legal profession of Belmont county, which he represented in the state legislature.  He became a very successful man, owning at one time four thousand acres of land in Coshocton county, while at the time of his death he possessed thirty-two hundred acres.      Mr. Nichols was reared in the Quaker faith but as he reached mature years he studied very closely the doctrines of that denomination and becoming convinced that his views did not accord therewith, he withdrew from the church and did not become identified with any denomination until his later life, when he became a Spiritualist.  He took a deep and helpful interest in the political life of the country and became a stanch abolitionist, meeting bravely and courageously the rebuke to which the advocates of this cause were subjected.  He was also among the first who advocated the system of free schools in this state and took an active and helpful part in the cause of education.  It is certain that no citizen of this district took a more helpful and prominent part in its moral, educational and substantial development then did Nichols and he well deserves mention in this volume among its founders and builders, for although more than thirty-seven years have come and gone since he was called from this life, his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many and his example is well worthy of emulation.  He lived to be seventy-two years of age, his death occurring March 20, 1871, while his wife died at the age of sixty-eight years and six months, after a happy married life covering almost a half century.      The family of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Nichols numbered fifteen children, six sons and nine daughters, of whom only two daughters survive.  Rebecca N. and Jessie M. D. are deceased.  Charles served in the Civil war, being captain of Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He died in the hospital in Clinton, Tennessee, Jan. 1, 1865.  Clarkson Collins, he was later Colonel, enlisted as a soldier of the Civil war when only eighteen years of age.  He organized a company which was assigned to the Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made first lieutenant, serving in that capacity for one year.  He then returned home and organized another company for the Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made captain, and later rose to the rank of colonel, serving in that capacity until the close of hostilities.  Returning to his home in Ohio, he resumed his studies at Lebanon, Ohio.  Returning to his home in Ohio, he resumed his studies at Lebanon, Ohio, where he remained for two years, subsequent to which time he took up the study of law at Mount Vernon under the direction of W. C. Cooper.  After two years he was admitted to practice and removed to Topeka, Kansas, where he opened a law office, and later was made prosecuting attorney of Harvey county, that state.  He owned a tract of land near Park City in the Sunflower state.  His death occurred at the home of his sister, Mrs. Samuel Hagans, near New Castle, Ohio, July 11, 1878, when he was thirty-one years of age.  Jane was the next in order of birth and is also deceased.  Mercy A. is the wife of Samuel Hagans, a resident of New Castle.  Mary Lloyd and Paxton have departed this life.  Lloyd managed his father's farm until his death.  Eliza N. is the widow of Lemuel H. Lawrence and is mentioned below.  Eugene, the next in order of birth, is deceased.  Lucy Ellen is also deceased.  Lundy B., Susan and Hortense complete the family and all have departed this life.      Eliza N. Nichols, the fifth daughter and tenth-child of her father's family, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1832, and acquired her education in the schools of Delaware, this state.  In 1853, when a young lady of twenty-one years, she gave her hand in marriage to Lemuel H. Lawrence, who was reared in New Castle township and in early life engaged in merchandising in New Castle.  Following their marriage, however, the young couple located on a farm and Mr. Lawrence continued to follow agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1881.  He acquired a farm property, comprising three hundred acres of rich and well improved land in New Castle township and his widow now makes her home on her father's old homestead where she has about three hundred acres.  Mr. Lawrence gave his political support to the republican party and in religious faith was a Methodist.  No man was ever more highly respected and no man of this community ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people and none better deserved such respect and confidence.  In his lifetime his neighbors and friends, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement, and since his death they have cherished his memory.      By her marriage, Mrs. Lawrence became the mother of three children, but one son died in infancy.  Eugene wedded Miss Blanch Owens, by whom he has four children, Lemuel H., Lundy, Charles and Eulalie.  The other member of the family is Nana Eliza Lawrence.  Mrs.. Lawrence was reared in the Quaker faith but attends and supports the Methodist church.  She has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and is an estimable lady, enjoying the respect and regard of a host of warm and admiring friends. Source: Centennial History of Coshocton  County, Illinois -  II - Publ: Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1909 - Page 236-240

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