"History of Southern Oregon, Comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and
Coos Counties.  Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources."  A. G. Walling,
Publisher.  Portland, OR.  1884.  pg. 535.

ISRAEL BOYDE NICHOLS

     There are few men in Oregon to whom more credit is due for its development
and settlement than the subject of this sketch who came to Oregon in its very
infancy.  Mr. Nichols was born in Muskingdum county, Ohio, near the town of
McConnisville, September 22, 1824.  His father being a salt manufacturer, Mr.
Nichols' boyhood was spent in his father's works, where he remained until nearly
twenty-one years of age.  In the fall of 1842 he located in the southern part of
Iowa and engaged in farming one year, and then joined a train coming to Oregon
with ox teams.  On arriving on the Humboldt river the train separated -- three
of the wagons taking the California trail.  With the latter company was Mr.
Nichols.  With but few mishaps they arrived at Johnson's ranch in October, 1847,
and made his first home in the golden state at the Santa Clara mission.  In the
spring of 1848 he went to Santa Cruz county, where he remained until the gold
discovery.  Mr. Nichols was among the first to enter the mining district at
Sutter's Fort, and for the following two years engaged in mining and keeping
store at the different camps, until the spring of 1851, when he came with a pack
train to Oregon.  He at that time passed through the beautiful Cow creek valley,
which he has since made his home.  On his first arrival in the state Mr. N.
engaged in the stock business, and in 1852 concluded to locate, and then took up
a donation claim where he now resides, and still continues in the stock
business.  He has since added to his estate by purchase until now he has 1,500
acres of land in the Cow creek valley, on which he has recently built himself a
fine residence, a view of which appears in this work.  During the Indian wars of
1853-6, Mr. Nichols took an active part, serving under Gen. Phil. Kearney and
Gen. Lane.  A detailed account of the many narrow escapes, trials and privations
that Mr. Nichols passed through in those years would fill a good sized volume. 
Suffice it to say, there were few men in the Rogue river wars possessing more
true courage and daring, and who would sacrifice more for his fellow man than
Mr. Nichols.  After a residence of almost forty years on the Pacific coast --
thirty-three of which were spent where he now resides -- he has collected
sufficient of this world's goods to be able to take the comforts allowed an
honest and well spent life, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know
him.  Mr. Nichols was united in marriage in 1852 to Miss Isabelle Riddle, a
native of Ohio.  By this union they had a family of twelve children -- eleven of
whom are living.  Their names are:  Artenicia J., now Mrs. Owen Willis; Rhoda
E., now Mrs. David Thompson; Lewis W., Henry H., Abner E., Ulysses S., Israel
B., Jr., Ben, Clara (now deceased), George E., Maximilian M. and Maria.
 

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.