Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Nicholas, William S.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bedminster Township


WILLIAM S. NICHOLAS veterinary surgeon, P.O. Bedminster, is 
a great-grandson of Jacob Nicholas, born January 3, 1750, 
and died January 13, 1837.  His wife, Elizabeth Barbara 
Brey, was born May 1, 1752 and died February 13, 1837.  They 
were residents of Haycock.  He lost one of his legs by 
accident, but lived many years thereafter a useful man.  His 
son, John Peter Nicholas, was born June 16, 1795, and died 
March 26, 1876.  He was grandfather of William S. and was a 
farmer and weaver.  His wife, Elizabeth Helmer, was born 
September 8, 1796, and died February 26, 1858.  Their son, 
Josiah F., was the father of the subject of this sketch.  He 
was born in Tinicum November 6, 1823, and now lives in 
Haycock.  He is also a veterinary surgeon, having practiced 
that profession for thirty-five years.  He has virtually 
given up practice, though he occasionally responds to the 
calls of his neighbors.  He is a man of good character and 
reputation, a member of the Keller Lutheran church, and at 
one time deacon.  His wife was Sarah Shives, born December 
9, 1829, and died October 26, 1880.  Their children were:  
Pierson and an infant, deceased; Mary Catharine, wife of 
Abraham Althouse, in Haycock township; Lizzie, wife of 
Mahlon Durn, in Philadelphia; Mahlon, in Quakertown; Ella, 
wife of Abraham K. Hess, in Haycock; Amandus, in Perkasie; 
Emma, Adaline, Clara, and Harvey, with their father; and 
William S., who was born in Haycock township July 30, 1857.  
When 21 years old he went to Kutztown Normal school to 
complete his education, after which he taught for two terms, 
and in 1882 went to the Columbia Veterinary College and 
School of Comparative Medicine in New York city, from which 
he was graduated in 1884.  He then practiced in his father's 
office for a year, and on his marriage removed to his wife's 
father's house. There he stayed for nineteen months and 
then, his wife having died, he removed to Bedminsterville.  
February 12, 1885, he was married to Euphemia, daughter of 
Josiah and Elizabeth Mickley, who was born March 9, 1864, 
and died March 7, 1886, leaving one child, named for the 
mother.  Dr. Nicholas has the advantage of a thorough 
training in one of the best veterinary colleges in the 
country and is very successful, having a large and growing 
practice.