Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 384.
 
WILLIAM T. B. NICHOLSON

     Came to Oregon in 1858, and is a native of New York city, born December 6,
1836.  He is the son of Sobrias Watson Bryham, who died when William was a
child.  His mother married Mr. Nicholson whose name was given to William.  The
family originated in England and his mother's maiden name was Margaret
McClenchan of Irish ancestry.  Mr. Nicholson went with the family to
Philadelphia and resided there until he was eleven years of age.  Here he was
sent to school, he then went to the old Hopkins' farm, fifteen miles out of the
city and remained there until he was fourteen years of age, and then came to
California with his mother and sister, Mr. Nicholson having proceeded to the
coast in 1849 and sent for them to follow.  They made the journey by the way of
Panama on the steamer Brother Jonathan on her first trip, and on the first trip
of the steamer Pacific on this side.  In San Francisco he was sent to the  San
Francisco Academy, afterward helped in his father's store, and later Mr.
Nicholson assisted in establishing a night school at the corner of Dupont and
Sacramento streets.  From that sprang the first night schools in the city.  In
1858 William went to the Fraser river mines.  A large company of men fitted a
ship for that purpose.  Having no success at the mines he returned to the sound
and was engaged in surveying lumber, and in November came to Portland and was a
clerk for the pioneer merchant, John R. Foster for some time.
     In 1859 he was married to Miranda L. Cason, daughter of Hillery Cason,
local minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.  Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson
have had six children born in Portland, namely:  Minnie L., the eldest daughter,
married George H. Hill, who is now chief clerk in the First National bank;
Maggie married E. R. Root, who is chief clerk and acting cashier of the Terminal
Company; and the other children are, William Edward, Rodney Adelbert; the
children at home are Earl Vivian, and Grace Edith.
     Mr. Nicholson has been for years engaged in the collecting and brokerage
business and has had the business of the oldest and best houses for may years.
He has also invested in real estate and has both bought and sold on his own
account and for others.  In 1866 he purchased in East Portland fifteen acres of
land, which cost him $751.50.  He subdivided the property, making eighty lots of
it, and has recently sold one of the lots for $2,500, which is an illustration
of the growth of the city and the increase of the value of property.  Mr.
Nicholson has built a nice home of his own in East Portland, where he resides
with his family.  He is a Republican in politics, but has declined office.  He
is a member of the Methodist Church, and has been a member of the official
board.  Early in his history in Portland he took the contract to cut the brush
on 130 acres in East Portland.  This contract he completed, doing the whole of
the work with his own hands.  His mother resides in San Francisco.  She has
attained the age of eighty-four years.  Time has dealt very lightly with him,
and he is still a young looking man.  He is a kind-hearted and agreeable man,
and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
 
08-04-1860  Census of Multnomah Co, OR; Multnomah Pct, p470, family #868
                     W.T. B. Nicholson, 23, NY, clerk
                     Miranda, 17, AR
                     Minnetta, 11/12, OR
00-00-1870  Census of Multnomah Co, OR; East Portland Pct, p135, family #354
                     Wm. Nicholson, 37, NY, bookkeeper, $3000, $400
                     Miranda, 27, AR
                     Minna, 10, OR, att. school
                     Maggie, 8, OR, att. school
                     Wm, 6, OR, att. school
06-03-1800  Census of Multnomah Co, OR; NE Portland Pct, p355, family #34, 16th
st
                     Wm. C. Nicholson, 42, Ny, ENG, IRE, broker
                     Miranda L, wife, 37, AR, GA, IL
                     Minnetta L, dau, 19, Or, NY, AR
                     Margretta E, dau, 18, OR, NY, AR, att school
                     William E, son, 16, OR, NY, AR, att school
                     Rodney D, son, 3, OR, NY, AR
06-04-1900  Census of Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 43, p 214, 50 E 16th st
                     W.T.B. Nicholson, 63, Wd, Dec 1836, NY, ENG, CAN, 		
                     	capitolist
                     Rodney A, son, 23, July 1876, OR, NY, AR, single, farm 
                     	laborer
                     Earl V, son, 17, Nov 1882, Or, NY, AR, Div, clerk
                     Grace, dau, 15, Jan 1885, OR, NY, AR, att. school
04-18-1910  Census of Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 64, Wd 8, p 154, 50 E 15th
                     William T. B. Nicholson, 73, Wd, NY, NY, NY, own income, 
                     	owns home free
                     Maude Malon, niece, 26, OR, OR, OR, mar 1, mar 4 yrs, 0 
                     	children, no occ.
                     Martha, sister, 74, Wd, PA, PA, PA, 5 children-3 living, no 
                     	occ.

 
OREGON DEATH INDEX
Name:    Nicholson, William T
County:    Portland 
Death Date:    18 Sep 1918 
Certificate:    2123 


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2006 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.