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PROF. JOHN B. NICHOLS. "Our schools are the hope of our country," and no more fitting subject for representation in this RECORD can be found than one whose talents are given to promote the cause of education. Professor Nichols, who is Superintendent of the Mt. Vernon schools, was elected to that position in 1892, and is now serving his second year. Mr. Nichols was born in Fond du Lac County, Wis., July 19, 1857, and is the son of Thomas Nichols, who was a native of Edwards County, this state, and later for many years a prominent stock dealer in Wisconsin. The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Nichols, was an Englishman by birth, and after making his home in America formed one of the colony of Englishmen to settle at Shawneetowu. He was unanimously appointed overseer of the farms of the colony, and later, when Alfred Flowers went to Edwards County in 1817 and located in the town of Albion, he became one of the leading factors in the place. He was quite well-to-do, and at one time owned one thousand acres of valuable land. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Clarissa Brown. She was a native of Maine, but was residing in this state at the time of her marriage, having accompanied her parents hither when quite young. By her union with Thomas Nichols she reared a family of four children, those besides our subject being George F., who is a telegraph operator in Mt. Vernon; Thomas M., station agent at Boonville, Ind.; and Olive, now deceased. John B. Nichols, of this sketch, passed his boyhood days on his father's farm in Wisconsin, and having been deprived of his mother's care when fourteen years of age, he then went to Albion, where lie attended school. Later he entered the Central Normal College at Danville, Ind., from which institution he was graduated, and for a number of years thereafter was engaged in teaching at Albion. He then became a student in the Southern Illinois Normal University, at Carbondale, and after a thorough course in that college accepted the position of Principal of the Albion schools, which position he filled satisfactorily for five years. In 1892 Professor Nichols came to Mt. Vernon as Superintendent of the city schools, and as an able and thorough educator has brought the standard of scholarship in the city up to a much higher grade. The lady to whom lie was united in marriage October 3, 1883, was Miss Jane Marritt, of Albion, ILL. Mrs. Nichols was born August 17, 1865, and is the daughter of John and Nancy Marritt, natives of Edwards County, ILL. The home of Professor and Mrs. Nichols has been blessed by the birth of four children: Claude W., Nora, Edna and Ruth. In religious affairs our subject is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which he is a regular and liberal contributor. Socially, he is a Mason, and belongs to the chapter in Mt. Vernon.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
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