History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 198 - 199

JOHN J. NICHOLS

One of the attractive features of the landscape in Clam Lake township is the well improved farm of John J. Nichols, located on section 19. This is a fine farm, well equipped with all the accessories and conveniences known to the model agricultural home of the twentieth century. The rich soil produces splendid crops and in the midst of the property stands a commodious and pleasant residence which is characterized by an air of neatness and thrift and it is tastefully furnished, making one of the comfortable homes of this section of the state. Mr. Nichols is a native of Ontario county, Canada, born on the 20th of September, 1839. His parents were John and Sophia (DeBoyce) Nichols and the former died in Ontario county, Canada, when about thirty years of age. The mother afterwards came to Wexford county and died at the home of one of her sons in Clam Lake township in the eighty-second year of her age. She had but two children, John J., of this review, and Isaac, who is a well-known and prominent agriculturist of Clan Lake township. The former was reared to farm life in Canada and the experiences of his early boyhood were those which usually fall to the lot of farmer lads. He lived in his native country until 1873, but the previous year had come to Wexford county, Michigan, and entered a claim comprising eighty acres of land in section 30, Clam Lake township. In September, 1873, he returned with his family to Michigan and located upon the homestead which he had secured. He has since been a resident of the township and at the time of his arrival here he at once began the development of his eighty-acre tract, of which he still owns forty acres, while his brother, Isaac, is now the proprietor of the other forty acres. Mr. Nichols of this review likewise has thirty-nine acres on section 19 of the same township, so that his farm comprises altogether seventy-nine acres, of which seventy acres have been converted into rich fields, from which he annually harvests good crops. On the other nine acres stand his farm buildings, including two good houses and substantial barns and outbuildings. On the 15th of July, 1873, John J. Nichols was married, in Lambton county, Ontario, to Miss Sarah J. Van Natter, who was born in Haldeman county, Ontario, on the 21st of May, 1848, a daughter of James and Regina (Miller) Van Natter. Her parents spent their entire lives in Canada and are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have been born two children: Regina J., now the wife of William Anway, and Philena S., the wife of M. E. Shippy. Mr. Nichols takes an active part in church work and is an evangelist. He is deeply interested in the moral development of the community and in the adoption of Christian principles, but he is not a believer in creeds or dogmas, being unsectarian in his religious beliefs. He bases his belief merely upon Bible teachings, preferring to make his own interpretations of the scriptures rather than accepting something that has been evolved by religious leaders in former ages. When Mr. Nichols and his brother came to Wexford county in 1873 this was still a frontier region, the work of progress and improvement being scarcely begun. They built a log house upon the homestead and there lived together for sixteen years, during which time four children were born to Isaac Nichols and two children to John Nichols. They were all rocked in one cradle. The two families lived together as one, having a common pocketbook, sharing alike in everything. At length when they decided to separate the division was made in a manner entirely satisfactory to each. The division was finally brought about because of an accident which occurred to Isaac Nichols, who was bitten by a black squirrel on the right hand. This caused blood poisoning and necessitated the amputation of the little finger. As the years passed the brothers watched the development of the county and took an active part in its growth and improvement. Deeply interested in everything pretaining to public progress, John J. Nichols has labored effectively for the welfare of the county and for its intellectual and moral, as well as material advancement. He is a man of strong purpose, of marked individuality and keen intellectuality. He looks upon life from a broad humanitarian standpoint, realizing that this life is but a preparation for the life to come and that the preparation for a future existence is the building of an upright character.