Nichols - Jonathan M.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 131.
Jonathan M. NICHOLS, President of the National Bank of Rockville, was
born in Monroe County, Indiana April 6, 1824 and is the son of Jonathan
and Eliza Hamilton Nichols. His father was a native of Tenn but in a
very early day removed to Indiana and established himself in Monroe
County when the improvements in that section of the state were very
meager. His profession was that of a teacher for which he was
peculiarly adapted, both by nature and education. He always maintained a
deep interest in educational matters and for a long time served as a
Trustee of the state university at Bloomington, Indiana. He was also a
business man of judgment and energy and engaged in merchandising a
number of year. To Mr. Nichols' parents 10 children were born, 3 now
living. Our subject was the recipient of good educational advantages and
in his childhood was a pupil in the Bloomington schools. To state that
he availed himself to the utmost of every advantage offered him in his
youth is but to record what actually occurred. After his schooling
ceased he learned the trade of a tinner and at the expiration of his
apprenticeship came to Rockville where he followed his trade 4 years. He
then accepted a clerkship in a mercantile establishment where he
remained for a number of years. During the great gold excitement of
1849, Mr. Nichols was one of the number who sought a fortune in the
West. With a part of men he made the overland trip, leaving Rockville on
the 19th of March and arriving at the Golden State about 1 October.
His destination reached, he at once engaged in mining and for two years,
continued in this occupation, meanwhile meeting with fair success. It
was not, however, his intention to establish a permanent home in
California and at the expiration of two years returned as far east as
Ky, where he remained a short time. Later he clerked for awhile in his
former home at Rockville and then formed a partnership in the mercantile
business with Isaac J. Silliman, which continued 10 years. When Mr.
Silliman served his connection with the business his interest was
purchased by Messrs. Thompson and McCune, and the establishment was
conducted under the firm name of Nichols, Thompson & McCune until
1864, when the entire concern was sold out. The above-named firm, on
selling out their mercantile establishment, erected a woolen mill which
they operated 10 years and then the partnership dissolved. In 1873, Mr.
Nichols was called to the Presidencey of the 1st National Bnak of
Rockville and continued at the helm of that financial institution until
its affairs were closed out, 4 years afterward. At the inception of the
National Bank of Rockville in 1877 he accepted the position of President
and he still occupies that responsible office. The bank is the largest
institution of the kind in the county and has a capital of $100,000.
The policy of its officers and directors has been such as to win and
retain the confidence of the business men of the community and the high
rank held by the bank among other corporations of the State is
undoubtedly due to the indefatigable efforts and excellent judgment of
the President. In 1855, Mr. Nichols married Miss Lucinda Freeman who
died 1858. His 2nd marriage united him with Miss Martha McCune and they
became parents of two children: Frank, who is employed in the iron and
nail works at Greenfield, Indiana and Maude S, deceased. During the
late war Mr. Nichols was one of the valiant men who offered his services
to the country in its time of direst need. In 1862 he enlisted as a
member of Co. C, 78th Ind Inf and served as 1st Lt. Among the
engagements in which he participated was that of uniontown, where Capt.
Howard was killed and the entire company captured as prisoners. When
released from imprisonment, their term of enlistment having expired,
they returned to this homes. Socially, Mr. Nichols is connected with
the Masonic order. He is a man who ever feels a deep interest in the
welfare of the city and is constantly in the front whenever any
improvement in contemplated. His position is among those public spirited
citizens whose highest aim in life is not the achievment of personal
success but the doing of that which will in the highest degree enhance
the progress of the community. - transcribed by kbz