BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 661-662.

JOHN W. NICHOLS

John W. Nichols, one of the prominent younger lawyers of St. Clairsville,
and senator-elect from Belmont and Harrison counties, was born in Belmont
county, in October, 1856. He is the son of Nathan B. and Sarah E. (Hoge)
Nichols, both natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio with their family in
1839. His father came to Ohio with his parents when he was thirteen years
of age, and was reared in this county, receiving his education in the
common schools and Brooks institute. In 1849 he went to California, during
the gold excitement, making the trip overland with three yoke of oxen. He
spent but one year there and then returned to Belmont county, where he was
married. Settling on the farm which has since been his home, he has been
engaged in agriculture, and has been highly prosperous, now owning over
1,000 acres of land. He is one of the most prominent and influential
farmers of the county. His son, John W. Nichols, the subject of this
mention, received his early education in the schools of the county, and
then spent two years at Hopedale college, and afterward two years at the
Ohio state university at Columbus. On his return from the university he
decided to study law, and entered the office of Judge Cowan for that
purpose. Under the guidance of that learned attorney he advanced rapidly,
and in 1883 was admitted to the bar. In the following year he opened an
office at St. Clairsville, and has since been actively engaged in the
practice. He has also taken a deep interest in public affairs, and as a
member of the republican party, is one of the foremost in the political
fray. As the candidate of his party for the position of state senator for
the counties of Belmont and Harrison, he was elected in November, 1889. Mr.
Nichols was married in 1884 to Lina H. Hoge, of Illinois, and by this union
has three children: Charles and Wilbur K., and Fred H. He is a member of
the Society of Friends and his wife of the Presbyterian church.