Biography of George W. Nichols, Franklin Co, AR

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        Date: 16 Aug 1998
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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed
Publishing Co., 1889.

George W. Nichols, merchant, of Altus, Ark., and native of Franklin
County, was born February 23, 1848, and is a son of Jesse and Julia
Ann (Ransom) Nichols, who were born in Marion County, Tenn., November
22, 1817, and Marshall County, Ala., July 8, 1820, respectively. They
were married in Marshall County, Ala., and there made their home until
1848, when they came to Arkansas and located near Ozark, where they
resided, and where the father was engaged in farming and carpentering
until his death, June 11, 1888. He was a devoted Christian, and a
member of the Masonic fraternity, and at one time represented Grenada
Chapter. Lodge 151, in the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He was a life-long
Democrat, and during the late war served as a private, first in the
State troops and afterward in Company K, Col. Edmondson's regiment
regular infantry. The following are some of the engagements in which
he participated: Oak Hill, Elkhorn, Prairie Grove, Poison Springs, and
others. He was noted for his liberality and many deeds of kindness,
and his memory will long be [p.1265] cherished by the present
generation. He was of German-Irish descent, and became the father of
nine children, seven of whom are living: Lucinda, wife of L. D. Knox;
George W.; Mary, wife of James Yarber; Elizabeth, wife of William
Taylor, Alice, widow of D. L. Greenwood; A. J., a lawyer of Cooper,
Texas, and Laura, wife of E. Mooma. George W. Nichols received his
education previous to the war, and during the first part of 1864
enlisted in the same company as his father, serving until the close of
the war. He then returned home and began working at the carpenter's
trade with his father, and was also engaged in farming. At the age of
twenty-one years he began farming for himself, and up to January,
1888, was engaged in that occupation. He then embarked in his present
business in partnership with Bailey P. Miller, and has been doing well
financially. On the 22d of October, 1870, he was married to Emily S.
Miller, of Franklin County, by whom he has five children: Minnie A.,
Bathus, Maud, Georgie and Jackson M. The family worship in the
Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. Nichols is a Mason, and in his
political views is a Democrat. In 1880 he was elected justice of the
peace and served two terms.