Our last three Journals of 2016 contained genealogy articles contributed by Janice LaFountain of Wyoming and Faye Barnett Greene of Michigan which helped greatly with researching the ancestor of recent visitors, descendants of Anna Mae Nichols. Anna Mae was the daughter of Hargis Nichols and Polly Ann Keeton.

Polly Ann was a daughter of Lon Keeton and DeFrona Baker who were married in Magoffin on 22 Mar 1907. Lon’s draft registration card in 1918 gave his birthdate as 2 July 1879 Gullett, Magoffin Co. KY and said his wife was Frona Keeton. They lived in Boyd County, KY where Lon worked as a coal miner.

We found Hargis’ surname spelled in a variety of ways in the records we consulted to help us work on this family, including Nickels, Nickles, Nichols, Nickell(s), etc. Hargis Nichols was born in 1916 and died in 1990 Lima, OH. He was a son of Kelly C. Nichols and Ida Patrick.

Kelly C. Nichols was born at Lakeville, Magoffin Co. KY on 17 Aug 1892 and died 23 Aug 1972 in Alger, OH. His wife Ida was born in 1899. Kelly and Ida were married 24 Apr 1913 in Breathitt Co. KY. At the time of their marriage Kelly gave his age as 18, born in Magoffin County and living at Taulbee, KY, the son of Mart and Mandy Nichols. Ida was age 19, lived at Bays, KY and was born in Breathitt County to John and Sarah Patrick. Ida died 23 Mar 1969; she and Kelly are buried in the Preston Cemetery in Alger, OH.

Ida Patrick was born in 1899, a daughter of John Patrick and Sarah Creech. Sarah was born in 1862 in Breathitt Co. KY, the dau of Hiram Creech and Mary "Polly" Elkins. Hiram was killed by "the Raiders" on 9 Apr 1865, the day the Civil War surrender was made while he and a daughter were visiting relatives in Lee Co. VA. Also killed was Hiram’s brother-in-law, David Wells. Hiram was a son of Jonathan Creech and Jane Blair. Sarah’s mother married secondly to a Henry Caudill. Polly Caudill gave her age as 80 in the 1900 Breathitt Co. KY census. At the time she lived in the household of her daughter Sarah and son-in-law John Patrick.

Kelly was a son of Martin Nichols and his second wife Amanda Rowe. Martin was first married in Magoffin County in 1866 to Mary "Polly" Trusty b. 1847. They had a son Green Nichols b. 1867 d. 1943 in Breathitt Co. KY and a son William Nichols b. 1869. This family is listed in the 1870 Magoffin Co. KY census.

By 1880 Martin Nichols lived in Wolfe County and was married to Amanda Rowe. She was born in 1845, a daughter of Mary Rowe b. 1830 in Greene Co. TN.

The 1880 Wolfe County census shows an 8 year old Haden Nichols in the home of Martin and Amanda. He is believed to be the son of Martin and his first wife Polly Trusty. Haden married and lived in Magoffin County; his wife was Rena Gipson.

Martin and Amanda Nichols are listed in the 1900 Magoffin County census and in the 1910 Breathitt County census. Martin died in 1930. Amanda died 1 Oct 1939 at age 86 at Seitz in Magoffin Co. KY. Her death certificate relates that she was buried in the Vanderpool Cemetery but no location was listed. Some researchers believe it is at Lakeville, KY.

As determined by the census and vital statistics, Martin and Amanda were the parents of Cora E. Nichols b. 1878, Samuel Nichols b. 1879, Charley Nichols b. 1883, Alice Nichols b. 1886, George Nichols b. 1889, Mary Bell Nichols b. 1891, Cosby Nichols b. 1893, Arty Nichols b. 1894, Riley Nichols b. 1895, Kelly Nichols b. 1896, Elizabeth Nichols b. 1897, Hobert Nichols b. 1899 and John Nichols b. 1900. In 1910 Amanda reported that she had 12 living children of 16 born.

Much more info can be found in the book: Frederick Rowe, From North Carolina to Eastern KY and Beyond by Lennie Carter. Mr. Carter very generously contributed his work to our historical society to print and sell to help keep our library and Pioneer Village open to researchers. The book is $40 postpaid from Magoffin County Historical Society, PO Box 222, Salyersville, KY 41465.

Martin Nichols was a son of Joseph Nickles b. 1822 in Virginia and died 3 Apr 1889 in Magoffin County. He married Neoma "Oma" Cole who was born in 1820 and died in 1904. Oma was a dau of William Cole and his first wife Obedience Collins. William was a son of John Cole and Cuzzie Anderson.

Those of you who read the quarterly Journals printed by our historical society are very familiar with our special columnist, Patty Auxier. We extend our deepest sympathy to Patty and all the family on the passing of her mother Goldie Lovely Wireman on January 18, 2017. Goldie was born in Breathitt County to Logan and Nancy (Bailey) Lovely. A short while after her marriage to Cledith Wireman they made their home at Waldo, KY on the Trace Fork of Licking. Goldie and Clede were the parents of three children, Kathy Wireman, Patty Auxier and Clinton Wireman. Goldie was a strong, self-sufficient woman who imparted good beliefs and principles to her children and grandchildren. She has left a positive imprint on our minds and hearts.