James M. Nichols

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt 1879, Montague Co, Texas
• Residence: 1882, Indian Territory (Love Co, Oklahoma)
• Residence: Abt 1884, Crawford Co, Arkansas
• Residence: Abt 1887, Polk Co, Arkansas
• Residence: Abt 1888, Chocaw Nation
• Residence: 1889, Lamar Co, Texas
• Residence: 1890, McClain Co, Oklahoma
• Residence: 1912, Comanche Co, Oklahoma

Notes:

James Nichols biography in "History of Oklahoma" (1916)
by Joseph B. Thoburn (American Historical Society: 1916), vol. 4, page 1412. https://books.google.com/books?id=Bdq7qWCr_KcC&pg=PA1412

James M. Nichols. One of the live, energetic and enterprising weekly newspapers of Southern Oklahoma is The American, which is edited at Comanche by James M. Nichols. During a long and active career Mr. Nichols has been engaged in various lines of endeavor, in all of which he has won a fair measure of success, but since 1903 has devoted himself almost exclusively to journalism, which it would seem is the field for which his attainments are best adapted.

Mr. Nichols belongs to a family which originated in France and came to America prior to the War of the Revolution, settling in North Carolina, and he is a native of Arkansas, having been born in Polk County, February 6, 1867, a son of James Fletcher and Charlotte (Stinnett) Nichols. His father was born in DeKalb County, Alabama, in 1840, and as a young man went to Arkansas, where he resided in Polk County until 1879, in which year he was a pioneer to Indian Territory. He settled on a farm near the present site of Waurika, Oklahoma, and commenced agricultural operations, in which he had been engaged throughout his life, but did not live long after coming to the new community, as his death occurred December 1, 1879. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Protestant Church, in the faith of which he and his wife reared their children. In political matters he was a democrat, and during the Civil war his sympathies were with the South and he served for a short time as a soldier in the Confederate army, under Generals Price and McCullough. Mrs. Nichols was born in Polk County, Arkansas, in 1843, and there her death occurred in 1873. She was the mother of four children: James M., of this notice; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of R. R. Henington, who is now a farmer of Jefferson County, Oklahoma; Ardelia, who died at the age of four years; and Charlotte, who is the widow of the late M. C. Runyan, a barber, and resides at Maysville, Oklahoma.

James M. Nichols was six years of age when his mother died and was but twelve when his father passed away. He received his early education in the public schools of Polk County, Arkansas, and when his father died went to Montague County, Texas, where he attended school for two months, in the meantime earning his own living by accepting such honorable employment as came his way. In 1881 he left school and apprenticed himself to the trade of machinist in cotton gins, and in 1882 moved to Indian Territory, locating in what is now Love County, where he was engaged in farming until 1884. Subsequently, for three years Mr. Nichols farmed in Crawford County, Arkansas, and then spent one year in Polk County, Arkansas, this being followed by two years of work at his trade in the pineries of the Choctaw Nation. In 1889 Mr. Nichols returned to Texas, locating in Lamar County, where he farmed for one year, and in 1890 came to what is McClain County, Oklahoma, where he first worked at his trade and subsequently engaged in the mercantile business until 1903. In that year he became identified with journalism, taking charge of the Johnson Journal. Subsequently, the town of Johnson was renamed Byars, and Mr. Nichols founded Byars Banner, of which he continued as proprietor until 1912. He then came to Comanche, where he has leased The American since March 1, 1913, and of which he is also the editor. This newspaper was originally a republican organ and was established May 5, 1908, by E. A. Bourne, and March 1, 1910, was acquired by its present owner, P. W. Tucker, who changed its policy to correspond with the principles of the democratic party. It has an excellent circulation in Stephens and adjoining counties, as well as a good outside list and is considered a valuable advertising medium. Its modern offices and plant, located in the Wade Building, are well equipped in every way and include up-to-date presses and type for the best kind of job work. The newspaper circulates weekly, and as edited by Mr. Nichols furnishes the people with clean and reliable news, interesting accounts of local happenings and timely and well-written editorials. Mr. Nichols is a democrat. He is an ex-member of the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen.

On February 16, 1905, Mr. Nichols was married in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, to Mrs. Martha (Carroll) McDowell, daughter of A. C. Carroll, deceased, of Jndian Territory, but a native of Missouri. Mrs. Nichols is the widow of John McDowell, who was a farmer of Pottawatomie County, where he died. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nichols: Eura Fae, born February 28, 1908. Three children were born to Mrs. Nichols by her former marriage: Ira Ray, who is a graduate of the graded schools and now an apprentice in the office of The American; Rua Rufus, who is in seventh grade of the public schools; and Iva, who is a scholar in fifth grade.

James married Martha Carroll-McDowell on 16 Feb 1905 in Pottawatomie Co, Oklahoma. Martha was born in Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Eura Fae Nichols was born on 28 Feb 1908; and died.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 12 Jul 1860, Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
• Census: 1870, Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
• Residence: 1879, Waurika, Jefferson Co, Oklahoma

Notes:

Census:
12 Jul 1860 Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
residence 441
Grigsby James 40 1820 VA
Nancy 38 1822 VA
Elizabeth 15 1845 VA
Julia A. 13 1847 VA
Eliza 10 1850 VA
William 8 1852 VA
Nancy 6 1854 VA
James Grigsby 21 1839 Texas (corrected to b 1856)

residence 442
Nichols James 50 1810 TN
Lucinda 48 1812 Louisiana
James F. 19 1841 Alabama
Delilah 16 1844 Alabama
Arkansas 14 1840 Arkansas
Samuel T. 12 1848 Arkansas
Benj F. 5 1855 Arkansas
Conway 3 1857 female Arkansas
Arizona 10/12 1859 Arkansas

residence 444
Samuel Nichols 52 1808 Tennessee
Phebe 46 1814 KY

Sarah A. 22 Ala
Isaac 19 1841 Ala
Joseph 17 1843 Ala
John 15 1845 Ark
Pleasant 13 1847 Ark
Calvin 11 1849 Ark
Blackston 9 1851 Ark
Warren 7 1853 Ark
William 4 1856 Ark

residence 445
Nichols Burget 28 1832 TN
Mary 25 1835 TN
George 8 1852 Ark
Paralee 6 1854 Ark
Luvina 5 1855 Ark
Malvina 3 1857 Ark
Robert 1 1859 Ark

residence 450
Nichols James 25 1835 TN
Rachel 19 1841 Ark
Joseph L. 4/12 1860 Ark

Nichols, Carter 21 1839 Ala
Martha 18 1842 Ark
Calvin 4/12 1860 Ark

Census:
Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
25 Jan 1870
residence 152
Nichols, Samuel 63 1807
James 36 1834 TN
Pleasant 23 1847 AK
Calvin 21 1849
Blackstone 19 1851
Warren 16 1854
William 13 1852
Walker, Mary A. (Nichols) 28 1842 Arkansas
Walker Wilberry 10 1860 AR
Walker 5 1865 AR


residence 157
James F. Nichols 30 1840 Alabama
Charlotta T. 29 1841 Tennessee
James M. 3 1867 Arkansas
Sarah A. 2 1868 Arkansas

Residence 156 brother Joseph
residence 155 parents James & Lucinda

Residence:
James Nichols biography in "History of Oklahoma" (1916)
1916
Oklahoma
Bio of James Nichols in History of Oklahoma, by Joseph B. Thoburn (American Historical Society: 1916),
vol. 4, page 1412. https://books.google.com/books?id=Bdq7qWCr_KcC&pg=PA1412

His (James M. Nichols) father was born in DeKalb County, Alabama, in 1840, and as a young man went to Arkansas, where he resided in Polk County until 1879, in which year he was a pioneer to Indian Territory. He settled on a farm near the present site of Waurika, Oklahoma, and commenced agricultural operations, in which he had been engaged throughout his life, but did not live long after coming to the new community, as his death occurred December 1, 1879. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Protestant Church, in the faith of which he and his wife reared their children. In political matters he was a democrat, and during the Civil war his sympathies were with the South and he served for a short time as a soldier in the Confederate army, under Generals Price and McCullough. Mrs. Nichols was born in Polk County, Arkansas, in 1843, and there her death occurred in 1873. She was the mother of four children: James M., of this notice; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of R. R. Henington, who is now a farmer of Jefferson County, Oklahoma; Ardelia, who died at the age of four years; and Charlotte, who is the widow of the late M. C. Runyan, a barber, and resides at Maysville, Oklahoma.

James married Charlotte T. Stinnett about 1866 in Cove Polk Co, Arkansas. Charlotte (daughter of Hiram Marion Stinnett and Sarah Walker) was born in 1841 in Tennessee; died in 1873 in of, Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1843, Polk Co, Arkansas

Notes:

Birth:
James Nichols biography in "History of Oklahoma" (1916)
1916
Oklahoma
Bio of James Nichols in <i>History of Oklahoma</i>, by Joseph B. Thoburn (American Historical Society: 1916), vol. 4, page 1412. https://books.google.com/books?id=Bdq7qWCr_KcC&pg=PA1412

"Mrs. Nichols was born in Polk County, Arkansas in 1843 and there her death occurred in 1873."

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1830, Mississippi
• Property: 1840, near Hatfield, Arkansas
• Census: 1850, White, Polk Co, Arkansas
• Census: 12 Jul 1860, Cove Polk Co, Arkansas
• Census: 1870, Cove Polk Co, Arkansas

Notes:

stated in Dawes application by son William:
"Q State how it happened that you lived in Arkansas what time you was not in Indian Territory?
A. My father lived in Mississippi right on the line and when they made a new Territory it cut his place off right in the state." (see attached application, pg 7)



Property:
"Sam lived on the land on which the cemetery is now located."
Nichols Cemetery.
When Sam first came to this area, he lived in a log cabin across the road from the cemetery site. The log cabin was later occupied by Negro slaves who are buried in this cemetery. There are no markers for their graves.
The father of Sam and Jim Nichols was the first person buried in this cemetery. Thelma does not know the father's name, but she believes that he died in 1845.. (see Note below)
Since the owners of the land had control over who could be buried in this cemetery, the graves of Mowdy, the Greens, and the Negro slaves can be found in the northeast corner..

There were three Cap Nichols. The older Cap Nichols was the first person to live on the land now joining the cemetery. His loved ones here, so the cemetery was used for the Nichols family after that..

Sam was the second Nichols to live on this land. It is his grave that has the wooden grave marker with the following inscriptions..

In Memory of Sam Nichols, W.H.O., Departed this life Nov 30, A15875 (68 years-6 months-14 days).

Sam made his own monument from cedar, ready to be "put up" when he died. Under the engraving he cut into the wood and made a compartment where he placed his personal and lodge papers. He put screws in the cut-out part and put it back into place. A few years ago the cedar monument began to deteriorate and the edges of the papers were showing. Someone removed them. It is believed that Lewis, the next and last Nichols to live on the home place, had possession of the papers at one time..
On July 22, 1944, H. L. (Lewis) Nichols made a deed to J.C. Nichols, Allen Nichols, and Sam Raymond Owens, and their successors for the Nichols Cemetery. The deed was recorded by Arthur Means on July 22, 1944, Book 64, Page 479. The Notary Public was W. N. "Nick" Martin..

As of this writing 8/20/1983, Sam Raymond Owens is the only one of the three named on the deed who is still living..

Thelma Nichols Owens' grandfather was Anderson Nichols. Her father was Calvin Nichols, her mother was Janie Miller Nichols. Sam Nichols was the father of Cap Nichols who was the father of H. L. "Lewis" Nichols..

Hatfield Arkansas.
About five miles West of Hatfield on State Highway 246 on the right between Polk 38 and Polk 151.
SE, NW, Section 8, Township 3 South, Range 32 West Parcel # 10366.
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/5816086/person/-1089519902/mediax/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7CpgNum

comment added to this post by doyla44 (Doyla R. Janes) 1 May 2012
"Ref: Sam and Jim Nichols: I have an old hand written letter from my Grandma Nichols/Janes
which states Sam and Jim left their parents at Fort Smith, Ark. and went ahead to build a log house for them. The winter was very bad and their Father died at the old fort. When they returned to the Fort they got their mother and went to the home.
Lennie Lee Nichols born in 1900 died 1997 in Houston, Texas.
Grandma was very proud of her family and remembered their history. She always enjoyed talking about her family. I got to meet Jessie Nichols and Pinky Wyatt Nichols when I was very young. Doyla R. Janes"

Note: If Sam and Jim sons of William and Dorcas, then Thelma was incorrect that William died in 1845 since he is found in 1850 Census in Mountain Twp, Montgomery Co, Arkansas and next door to their son Joseph.


Census:
1850 White, Polk Co, Arkansas
Residence 178
James Nicholas 1811 Alabama
Lucinda 33 1817 Indiana
Anderson13 1837 Alabama
Lavandra 9 1841 male Alabama
Fletcher 8 1842 Alabama
Delila 7 1843 Alabama
Arkansas 4 1846 Arkansas
Samuel F. 1847 Arkansas

residence 179
Samuel Nicholas 43 Tennessee
Phebe Nicholas 37 Kentucky
Burgess Nicholas 18 Alabama
James Nicholas 16
Sarah A Nicholas 14
Mary A Nicholas 13
Carter Nicholas 11
Isaac Nicholas 9
Joseph Nicholas 7 Alabama
John Nicholas 5 Arkansas
Pleasant Nicholas 3 Arkansas
Calvin Nicholas 1 Arkansas

residence 180
Nicholas, Pleasant 38 1812 Tennessee
Mary 16 1834 Alabama
Lafayette 9 1841 Alabama
Albert 1843 Illinois
Susan C. 1845 Tennessee
Monroe 1 1849 Tennessee


Census:
12 Jul 1860 Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
residence 441
Grigsby James 40 1820 VA
Nancy 38 1822 VA
Elizabeth 15 1845 VA
Julia A. 13 1847 VA
Eliza 10 1850 VA
William 8 1852 VA
Nancy 6 1854 VA
James Grigsby 21 1839 Texas (corrected to b 1856)

residence 442
Nichols James 50 1810 TN
Lucinda 48 1812 Louisiana
James F. 19 1841 Alabama
Delilah 16 1844 Alabama
Arkansas 14 1840 Arkansas
Samuel T. 12 1848 Arkansas
Benj F. 5 1855 Arkansas
Conway 3 1857 female Arkansas
Arizona 10/12 1859 Arkansas

residence 444
Samuel Nichols 52 1808 Tennessee
Phebe 46 1814 KY
Sarah A. 22 Ala
Isaac 19 1841 Ala
Joseph 17 1843 Ala
John 15 1845 Ark
Pleasant 13 1847 Ark
Calvin 11 1849 Ark
Blackston 9 1851 Ark
Warren 7 1853 Ark
William 4 1856 Ark

residence 445
Nichols Burget 28 1832 TN
Mary 25 1835 TN
George 8 1852 Ark
Paralee 6 1854 Ark
Luvina 5 1855 Ark
Malvina 3 1857 Ark
Robert 1 1859 Ark

residence 450
Nichosl James 25 1835 TN
Rachel 19 1841 Ark
Joseph L. 4/12 1860 Ark

Nichols, Carter 21 1839 Ala
Martha 18 1842 Ark
Calvin 4/12 1860 Ark


Census:
Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
25 Jan 1870
residence 152
Nichols, Samuel 63 1807
James 36 1834 TN
Pleasant 23 1847 AK
Calvin 21 1849
Blackstone 19 1851
Warren 16 1854
William 13 1852
Walker, Mary A. (Nichols) 28 1842 Arkansas
Walker Wilberry 10 1860 AR
Walker 5 1865 AR

Samuel married Phoebe Jo Alexandra Watson, (1/4 Choctaw) in 1827 in Alabama. Phoebe (daughter of (..) Watson and (sister of Hiocatubbee), (1/2 Choctaw Indian)) was born in 1814 in Kentucky; died in Apr 1870 in Hatfield, Polk Co, Arkansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Research Notes: 27 May 2014

Notes:

Research Notes:
Calculating percentage of Choctaw blood is proving to be complicated. Her son William applied for Dawes, stating he was 1/8 Indian, meaning Phoebe was 1/4. Witnesses stated that she was niece of Hiocatubbee, who was full Indian; and that her brother was Isaac who was Indian (percent not stated). Sarah Irena Watson married a brother to Phoebe's husband, and there's a write-up floating around on the Internet stating that Sarah was full blood Indian, but no source was given. Perhaps Sarah and Isaac were full by another marriage somehow and half siblings to Phoebe? Taking the facts at hand if William was accurate that he was 1/8, it looks like this might be the line-up:
1. Indian father
+ Indian mother 6g grand
2. Hiocatubbe (uncle to Phoebe)
+ white mother
2. Phoebe?s mother 1/2 5g grand
+ Phoebe father Watson (white)
3. Sarah Irena (if she?s a sister)
3. Isaac (stated as an Indian and a bro to Phoebe)
3. Phoebe 1/4 4g grand
+ m Sam
4. Wm 1/8 as he states
+ Josie (she and the children (1/16) were labeled as Mulatto in 1910 census)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1830, Marion Co, Tennessee
• Census: 1840, DeKalb Co, Alabama
• Census: 1850, White, Polk Co, Arkansas
• Census: 1860, Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas

Notes:

Census:
1840 DeKalb Co, Alabama
pg 20
(not adjacent)
J. (John) Nichols (wife Elizabeth, sis to Hiram)
Thos Nichols
H. (Hiram) Stinnett


Census:
1850 White, Polk Co, Arkansas
Residence 146 pg 5
Hiram Stinnette 50 Tennessee
Sarah 42 Virginia
Lorinda 21 Tennessee
Charlotte 19 Tennessee
Jacob 17 Tennessee
Mitchel 15 Tennessee
Gilford 13 Alabama

pg 6
Residence 178
James Nicholas 1811 Alabama
Lucinda 33 1817 Indiana
Anderson13 1837 Alabama
Lavandra 9 1841 male Alabama
Fletcher 8 1842 Alabama
Delila 7 1843 Alabama
Arkansas 4 1846 Arkansas
Samuel F. 1847 Arkansas

residence 179
Samuel Nicholas 43 Tennessee
Phebe Nicholas 37 Kentucky
Burgess Nicholas 18 Alabama
James Nicholas 16
Sarah A Nicholas 14
Mary A Nicholas 13
Carter Nicholas 11
Isaac Nicholas 9
Joseph Nicholas 7 Alabama
John Nicholas 5 Arkansas
Pleasant Nicholas 3 Arkansas
Calvin Nicholas 1 Arkansas

residence 180
Nicholas, Pleasant 38 1812 Tennessee
Mary 16 1834 Alabama
Lafayette 9 1841 Alabama
Albert 1843 Illinois
Susan C. 1845 Tennessee
Monroe 1 1849 Tennessee


Census:
1860 Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
Hiram Stinnett 60
Sarah Stinnett 52
Charlotte Stinnett 28
Guilford Stinnett 23
Benton Stinnett 19
Cyrus Stinnett 15
Franklin Stinnett 13
Elizabeth Nichols 74

Hiram married Sarah Walker in 1825 in Marion Co, Tennessee. Sarah was born in 1808 in Botetourt Co, Virginia; died in 1862 in Alaska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1840, DeKalb Co, Alabama

Notes:

Family originated in France. Came to America prior 1775 to NC. Later to Tenn./Al
Left Alabama with sons for Ark

Census:
1840 DeKalb Co, Alabama
pg 20
(not adjacent)
J. (John) Nichols (wife Elizabeth, sis to Hiram)
Thos Nichols
H. (Hiram) Stinnett

Died:
Died in Fort Smith while families were traveling to Polk Co. Ark from Alabama

John married Elizabeth Ann "Polly" Stinnett, (Indian - Chickasaw) in 1804. Elizabeth (daughter of Isham Stinnett, Sr. and Elizabeth "Betsy" Austin) was born in 1786 in Tennessee; died after 1860 in Polk Co, Arkansas; was buried in Nichols Cem, Hatfield, Polk Co, Arkansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1860, Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
• Other-Begin: 1896, Dawes Application

Notes:

Census:
1860 Cove, Polk Co, Arkansas
Hiram Stinnett 60
Sarah Stinnett 52
Charlotte Stinnett 28
Guilford Stinnett 23
Benton Stinnett 19
Cyrus Stinnett 15
Franklin Stinnett 13
Elizabeth Nichols 74

(..) married (sister of Hiocatubbee), (1/2 Choctaw Indian) about 1809. (sister (daughter of (..), (Choctaw Indian) and (..), (white)) was born about 1785; died after 1815. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isham married Elizabeth "Betsy" Austin on 14 Apr 1791 in Claiborne Co, Tennessee. Elizabeth was born on 26 Oct 1772 in Tennessee; died on 16 Aug 1835 in Speedwell, Claiborne Co, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]