"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 307.  Baker County.

WILLIAM C. NICHOLSON

     This energetic and successful farmer and fruit raiser, residing eight miles
west of Haines, is deserving of representation in any work whose province is
similar to that of our volume, he being not alone a leader in his line of
activity but also an esteemed and highly respected citizen of his community and
county, public spirited and a potent factor in the promotion of the general
welfare.  He was born in Hayward county, Tennessee, on March 19, 1842, and there
he resided until sixteen years old, acquiring his educational discipline in the
local private schools.  In the year mentioned he accompanied the remainder of
the family to Jackson county, Arkansas, where his home was until about 1867.
     Our subject was not privileged to remain with his parents much after 1862,
however, for the cause he believed to be right was summoning him to sterner
duties, and in that year he enlisted in Colonel Matlock's cavalry regiment.  He
participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, where Colonel Young was killed and
Hicks became colonel of the regiment, and in the battle at Helena, where he was
wounded in the right chest and taken prisoner.  Upon being exchanged in the fall
of 1863, he joined Grider's battalion, and then under Colonel McGee, ranking as
orderly sergeant, he participated in Price's campaign in Missouri, taking part
in the battles of Bridgeport, Pilot Knob and in numerous other engagements and
skirmishes.
     In 1867 our subject moved to northern Arkansas and two years later came
thence across the plains to Baker county, making the trip with ox-teams.  For
about eight years he farmed at Wingville, and two were passed in like employment
in the Grande Ronde valley.  He also followed agricultural pursuits in various
other parts of the county until 1883, when he pre-empted a quarter section eight
miles west of the present Haines, upon which he has since lived.  He now has
three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, most of which has been brought by
industry and skill to a high state of cultivation, also a good house, and all
the needful outbuildings, fences, etc.  His premises are an unmistakable
monument to his industry and thrift.
     Fraternally, Mr. Nicholson is a charter member of Haines Lodge No. 112,
I.O.O.F., and of Haines Lodge No. 11, A.O.U.W.  He is also a leading member and
a deacon in the Baptist church.  Twice our subject has been married.  In
Arkansas in the year 1865, he wedded Miss Sarah Miller, and to their union were
born three daughters:  Mary, now Mrs. Skaw, operating a boarding house at North
Powder; Nancy, wife of Grant Hoburg, living at Baker City; Naomi, residing at
Sumpter.  His second marriage was solemnized on January 4, 1880, the lady being
Mrs. Martha Burke, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth T. (Baker) Haines and a
native of Ohio.  Mrs. Nicholson has one living son by her former marriage, James
Burke.

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