Springfield-Greene
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GEORGE WILLIAM NICHOLS. During his residence in Springfield of nearly thirty years, George William Nichols has figured as one of our most enterprising business men. He has been by no means an idle spectator to the growth of the city from a small town to a city of wealth and importance. He had the sagacity to foresee the great future of the same when he came here and he never lost faith in her great destiny, and no one takes a greater pride in seeing the Queen City advance along all lines than he. Mr. Nichols has been an advocate of right living not only in private but commercial and public life as well, and he is recognized as an upright citizen, square and honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, and as one that can be relied upon when called to perform any of the duties of a faithful citizen.
Mr. Nichols was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, February 11, 1851. He is a son of Chesley H. and Sarah Ann (Sitton) Nichols, both natives of that county also, and there, they grew up, were educated and married and there established their home on a farm and spent their lives there, the father dying in 1873 at the age of fifty-six years, and the mother survived to the advanced age of eighty-six years. William Sitton, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was at one time sheriff of Lincoln county. To Chesley H. Nichols and wife six children were born, three sons and three daughters, namely: George William, of this sketch; Mathias P., Jonathan C., Mrs. Anna Johnston; Mrs. Melissa Williams, and Mrs. Fannie L. Martin.
Jonathan C. Nichols who was born in April, 1865, resides in Springfield, and has been connected in business with his brother, George W., of this sketch for the past five years. He married Laura A. Dillard, in October, 1889, in Lincoln county, Missouri; she is a daughter of John A. and Anna (See) Dillard, both parents dying many years ago. Four children have been born to Jonathan C. Nichols and wife, namely: Olin C., born in 1892; Myrtle E., born in 1896; Dora Ida, born in 1905; and Roy Dillard, born in 1907. These children were given good educational advantages in the Springfield schools.
George W. Nichols grew to manhood in Lincoln county, Missouri, and there received his education in the public schools. He assisted his father with the general work on the home farm, and continued farming until 1885, when he came to Springfield, and engaged in the grocery business, soon afterward adding the wood, coal, feed and fuel business, and conducted both branches with much success until 1903 when he abandoned the grocery store, and has devoted his attention exclusively ever since to the feed and fuel business in which he has built up a very extensive trade, and has one of the best established businesses in this line in the city.
Mr. Nichols was married in September, 1877, to Mary Ida Moore, of St. Charles county, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood and received her education. She was a daughter of S. W. and Mary (Griffith) Moore, of Pike county, this state, where they spent their lives engaged in farming. The death of Mr. Moore occurred in 1905, and his wife preceded him to the grave in 1902.
One daughter was born to George W. Nichols and wife, Lulu E. Nichols, whose birth occurred in St. Charles county, Missouri, in 1878. She was graduated from Drury College and the Missouri State University. She married Dr. W. J. Wills, September 1, 1910. Doctor Wills was graduated from Drury College and from the St. Louis Medical College. They reside in Sedalia, Missouri, where he is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession.
Politically, George W. Nichols is a Democrat. Religously, he is a member of the Congregational church, and fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, is a Knight Templar, and also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his brother, Jonathan C. are members of the Interstate Feed Dealers' Association.
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