BIOGRAPHIES: William NICHOLLS, Sr., Caledonia Township, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb Coordinator,  18 May 2001      
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William Nicholls, Sr., a pioneer, was born in Kingsbridge, Devonshire, 
England, June 11, 1824, and was there reared and educated.  He came to 
America in 1848, and lived two years in Montreal and Quebec, before 
locating in Whitewater, Wis.  From there, in 1851, he came to Trempealeau, 
and homesteaded 145 acres of section 36, Caledonia township, about one 
mile and a half east of Trempealeau village.  There he builT a shanty 
and started to develop a farm.  As time passed he achieved prosperity, 
and became one of the leading men in the community.  For many years he 
did most admirable service as a member of the town board, and he also 
occupied other positions of public honor and private trust.  He continued 
in active work until he reached the age of 70 years, when he had the 
misfortune to fall and break his hip.  From that time he was able to do 
but little work.  After a long life filled with worthy endeavor, he died 
November 11, 1910.  Mr. Nicholls was married July 9, 1863, to Charlotte 
Dunham, then of Trempealeau Village, who was born in New Haven, Vermont, 
Feb. 17, 1833, and came to Wisconsin with her parents.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Nichols were the parents of three children:  One who died in infancy; 
William, who was born July 18, 1870, and is now a prominent man of 
Trempealeau, and Nellie, who was born Sept. 24, 1874, and is now the wife 
of C. H. Growt of Trempealeau.

--Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," 
pages 789-790