Jesse Nicholls, p. 1468

JESSE NICHOLLS, one of the self-made and prosperous agriculturists of West Bethlehem township, is a grandson of Rosmos Nicholls, who came from England at an early day. He settled in Hillsborough, this county, where he had a tavern for a number of years before the National pike was built. He afterward bought the "Nicholls' place," a small farm south of Hillsborough, and after remaining there a time again took charge of a tavern in Hillsborough, in a building that is still used as a hotel. In a short time, however, he again returned to the farm, where he remained the rest of his life. He was married to Mary Hall, of West Bethlehem township, and their union was blessed with the following children: James, Stephen, William, Rose, Achison, Mrs. Sarah Kehor, Mrs. Margaret Sargeant and Mrs. Betsey Trago, of whom Achison is the only one now living. Mr. Nicholls was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Nicholls died in 1840, and Mr. Nicholls in 1850.

Stephen Nicholls was born on the old homestead in 1795, and obtained his early education in the common schools. He remained upon the home farm until he was forty years of age, driving teams across the mountains and attending to the usual duties of the farm. In 1835 he married Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Mary Wise, of West Bethlehem township, and they had nine children: Jesse, Mrs. Mary Gregg, Mrs. Nancy Wilkins (deceased), Sarah Jane (deceased), William (deceased), Joshua (deceased), Maggie (deceased), Mrs. Catherine Binns and Hiram. Mr. Nicholls was a true Democrat, although not an active politician. He died in 1881, in his eighty- fourth year; his widow, aged seventy-six years, is still living.

Jesse Nicholls was born December 8, 1836, upon the home farm. He received a partial education at the common schools, and at the age of fifteen years he began life for himself, working by the month. He was married February 4, 1858, to Margaret Taylor, and they had children as follows: Mrs. Sarah McCarthy (deceased), Lucy, Mrs. Emma Kinder (deceased), Laura, Samuel, Joseph, Ray, John and Maggie. Although his early opportunities were few, Mr. Nicholls is an intelligent, well-read man, and beginning life with no capital save strong hands, a quick brain and a healthy body, he has, by dint of honest principles, hard work and economy, succeeded, with the aid and encouragement of his wife, in securing a fine farm of 140 acres and a competence for his family. He is a Democrat, and has served several terms as supervisor of his township, but has been too busily engaged in his private business to give much attention to political questions. Mrs. Nicholls was a member of the M. E. Church. She passed away May 28, 1891, deeply mourned by her many friends and relatives.

Text taken from page 1468 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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