Nicholas - James Milton - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

James Milton Nicholas was born Aug. 7, 1822 at Mt. Sterling, Ky., and died May 20, 1900, near Raccoon, Ind., aged 77 years, 9 months and 13 days. His parents, Charles and Ruth Nicholas came to Putnam County when James was a boy seven years old, and settled on a farm near Greencastle, where they remained one year, after which they moved to the present homestead, where the deceased spent almost seventy years on the same farm. His school advantages were very poor, he going to school only two or three months a year in the old log school house, which had one side out for a log heap fire, greased paper for a window, and a log split in the middle with holes bored for legs, which served for seats, yet he was a well educated man, who kept a complete set of books in regard to all the expenses and income of the entire farm of some nine hundred acres, which he and his wife had made from a start of nothing. He was married to Amanda Hester, Oct. 15, 1846, which proved a helpful and blessed union. To them were born eleven children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are James M. Jr., Alfred H., Monroe, William, Mrs. John Carter, Mrs. John Fall, Mrs. Benton James, and Mrs. Milton Belles. Besides these he leaves one brother, three sisters, twenty one grandchildren, who together with a host of friends mourn his demise.

He had been a faithful member of the M. E. Church for over 50 years, being connected in an official capacity the greater part of the time. To him principally, is due the credit of the building the M. E. church at Raccoon, and helping to exterminate the saloon and letting God’s kingdom on earth have a better access to men’s hearts. He was a kind, yet firm father, husband and neighbor, and his place will be hard to fill in the church and community. His iron will and great courage was characteristic of the man and was the prime cause of his success in life, both morally and financially. To know him well was to love him. He has passed over to the land beyond to join his angel wife and children and the redeemed of the Lord. Verily his cup of happiness is filled to overflowing through the ceaseless years of eternity. His spirit will watch for the safety and welfare of his loved ones left here on earth and will call them to follow him by his spirit day and night to that heavenly home, “That house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.”

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 25 May 1900