Nichols, Benjamin L, 1905 Bio, Rio Blanco County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/rioblanco/bios/nichlsbl.txt --------------------------------------- Donated March 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Benjamin L. Nichols The scion of old Kentucky and Virginia families who long lived and labored in those historic states of this great republic, Benjamin L. Nichols, of Meeker, in the various fields of labor which have engaged his attention, has well sustained the traditions of his ancestry and proved the elevated character of his own manhood. He was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, on February 26, 1849, and is the son of William H. and Nancy (Wiley) Nichols, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia, who made their early home in Indiana and in 1855 moved to Kansas where they were among the very early pioneers. They farmed successfully and the father took an active part in politics on the Republican side. He died in 1861 and the mother in 1895. Their offspring numbered seven, four of whom are living, William F., at Fort Collins; Elizabeth (Mrs. Bennett), in Kansas; Lucy (Mrs. Webb), at Joplin, Missouri, in addition to the pleasing subject of this brief review. He received a common-school education and when he was but sixteen answered the last call for volunteers in defense of the Union in the Civil war, and gallantly took the field as a member of Company E, Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry. Returning to his Kansas home at the close of the gigantic conflict, he assumed his father's place in managing the work of the farm and remained there so occupied until he reached the age of twenty-five. At that time he moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, and farmed two years in that locality. In 1876 he changed his residence to Omaha, Nebraska, and during the next five years was engaged in the grocery business in that city, first as a member of the firm of Beal & Nichols, and after selling his interests in that establishment to Mr. Beal, as a partner of Mr. Collins. His success in trade was gratifying, but he had a desire for life farther west, and in 1881 he sold out in Omaha and came to Colorado. Three months after his arrival he located a ranch in North Park, which, after improving it, he sold in 1884. He then moved to Meeker, at that time a small village with but a few inhabitants, and for a year conducted a dairy with profit, then located a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres eight miles south of Meeker, the one now owned by Henry Wilson. This he traded for the ranch which Robert Crawford afterward secured by purchase. After selling it Mr. Nichols devoted a number of years to freighting between Meeker and Rawlins, Wyoming, in the service of Hugus & Company. Prior to this, however, he was appointed road overseer and built the roads in the lower part of the county. He was also appointed the first marshal of Meeker and served a year. In 1900 he was again appointed to this office and held it until April, 1904. He was very active in the defense of the bank at the time of its robbery on October 13, 1896, and for his bravery and skill on this occasion received a handsome and costly rifle from Hugus & Company as a testimonial. Mr. Nichols is a stanch Republican in political faith, and belongs to the order of Odd Fellows in fraternal life. He was married on August 9, 1874, to Miss Anna Von Kennel, a native of Jackson county, Ohio. They have had five children, three of whom are living, Myra (Mrs. George Bloomfield), at Meeker; Fred, at Rangely; and Hazel, at home. An infant, and a son named Clarence, who passed away on September 14, 1895, are dead. Mr. Nichols is universally recognized as a most worthy and useful citizen who fully deserves the high esteem in which he is held on all sides. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.