GREEN, NICHOLAS, now living practically retired at Beardstown, although still vitally interested in current events, is one of the substantial men of Cass County. He was born in Luxemburg, December 20, 1844, a son of John and Margaret (Hoffman) Green. John Green died in Luxemburg, and his widow later married her first husband's brother, in 1853 they started on a sailing vessel for the United States. The voyage consumed seven weeks, and after they landed at New York they made their way to Chicago, Ill., and from there by boat proceeded to Port Washington, Wis. There Mrs. Green died, and Mr. Green later married a widow with two children. The family became a large one, as Nicholas Green had four brothers and sisters, and later there were several half brothers and sisters.

In spite of these several elements in the family, Nicholas Green continued to live at home and remained until he was fifteen years old, although he received but few educational advantages. At that age he came to Springfield, Ill., where he found employment in a private family. On April 1, 1863 he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in Company D, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and his regiment was ordered to a point twenty-five miles from Memphis, Tenn. After the fall of Vicksburg, Company A, of the same regiment, was assigned to duty as General Grant's body guard, and when General Grant and General Sherman left Vicksburg, the whole regiment was sent to Texas, where Mr. Green was honorably discharged in April, 1866. During his service he was advanced from private to corporal, and then to bugler, and continued as such until his discharge. While on a scouting expedition his horse was killed, throwing him into a ditch, and both of his wrists were sprained, and several times thereafter he was injured in the same manner, but otherwise escaped with the exception of a sunstroke, received at Vicksburg.

Following his discharge, he returned to Springfield, Ill. It was his intention to attend school, but found it not advisable to do so owing to the effects of the sunstroke above mentioned, and finally went to Chauncey, Ill., where he worked about two years, during which time he had his foot injured while assisting in loading a wagon with stone. In 1872 he came to Beardstown and worked on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, during the time that the railroad bridge was built across the Illinois River. Following this he began working for farmers, and then rented land at Bluff Springs for five years, following which he rented another farm in the Sangamon bottom for a year, when he went to Iowa and bought a farm. Within a year, however, he sold out and returned to Beardstown, where he once more entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and was in their shops for many years. Owing to continued ill health he then retired from active work. He has acted as janitor of the Methodist church since 1910.

On April 17, 1873, Mr. Green married Mary Douglas, born at Beardstown, March 29, 1841, the daughter of Peter Douglas, and they became the parents of the following children: John D., who was born January 24 1875, lives at Beardstown; Paul McClure, who was born July 8, 1877, lives at Beardstown; and Allen N., who was born August 8, 1880, died in Wisconsin in 1882. The Congregational church holds his membership, and in politics Mr. Green is a Republican.