Biographical Sketch of Thomas F. Nicholas, Texas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, from Earliest Times to the
Present" Published by Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889.

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Thomas F. Nicholas, circuit clerk and recorder of Texas County, MO.,
is a native of Texas County, MO., born February 28, 1852, and is the
son of Walker and Isaminda (Elliott) Nicholas, natives of Missouri 
and Indiana, respectively, and both deceased, he in the State of
Louisiana, March 17, 1885, when fifty-five years of age, and she in
Texas County, MO., March 21, 1852, at the age of eighteen or nineteen,
when the subject of this sketch was an infant only twenty-one days
old.  The father when a boy came from Washington County, MO., to Texas
County, of the same State, and was married February 14, 1851, and re-
mained in that county until after the death of his wife.  He then, 
when Thomas F. was one year old, left him in Missouri, and March 1,
1853, went to California, and was engaged in mining for nine years, or
until about the breaking out of the late war.  Returning to Missouri,
he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served as forager or wagon-
master until cessation of hostilities.  He then went to Central America
engaging in the timber business and trading, but afterward returned to
Louisiana, about the year 1869 or 1870, where he turned his attention
to farming.  He then married Miss Mary Barrow, who is now living in 
Louisiana.  To Mr. Nicholas and his first wife was born one child,
Thomas F., the subject of this sketch.  While his father was in Cali-
fornia Thomas F. was left in the care of Miss Mary Hamilton, an un-
married lady, who is now living with our subject.  The latter received
his education at the schools in Texas County, worked on the farm, also
cut cord-wood and worked in saw-mills, and in 1876-76-77 he taught
school in Texas County.  In 1878 he was elected circuit clerk and re-
corder on the Democratic ticket.  Since then he has been re-elected
twice to the same position by the Democratic party, and the last time
had no opposition.  April 9, 1876, he married Miss Drucilla Farris, a
native of Missouri, and the daughter of James Farris, one of the first
settlers of Texas County, MO.  To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas have been born
three children: Mary, Orlena and Daisy.  Mrs. Nicholas is a member of
the Baptist Church, and Mr. Nicholas is a decided Democrat in his pol-
itical views.  He is a member of the Masonic lodge, and has represented
the same twice in the Grand Lodge of the State.  He is also a member of
the I. O. O. F.  His success has been attained by a life time of hard
labor and attention to his official duties.

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