Durham, N. N. "Spokane and the Inland Empire; History of the City of Spokane and Spokane County Washington." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. Vol. 2. JOHN J. NICHOLSON John J. Nicholson, present sheriff of Shoshone county, was born in Ireland, on the 9th of August, 1 860, and there spent the first eighteen years of his life. A desire to see the world and find the greater opportunities that he felt must be awaiting him somewhere prompted the young man to come to America, and in 1878 he took passage for the United States, landing in New York city. During the first few years of his residence in this country John J. Nicholson applied his energies to railroad construction work. In 1897 he decided to come west, locating in Wallace, where he turned his attention to mining and prospecting. He met with a fair degree of success in his undertaking and now is the owner of some very promising zinc claims on the west fork of Placer creek. In 1905 Mr. Nicholson became a member of the city police force, serving in this capacity for three years. He discharged his duties with a fine sense of conscientious obligation, and in 1908 was appointed by Sheriff John F. Moffatt to act as his deputy. The ability he displayed in this connection brought him before the notice of the general community and at the next nomination his name was placed on the ticket as the democratic candidate for the office of sheriff. He carried the election and has been the incumbent of the office of sheriff since November, 1910, his term expiring in 1912. During the year of his service Mr. Nicholson has fulfilled the responsibilities of his department in a manner highly satisfactory to his constituency and the community at large. Asbury Park, New Jersey, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Nicholson and Miss Ella Burke, also a native of Ireland, the event occurring in 1882. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson there have been born four children, one of whom is deceased, those living are as follows: Mary, who was born in 1885, the wife of George A. Morrison, of Murray, Idaho ; Thomas, who married Miss Alamie Beal of Wallace, born in 1889; and Alice, who was born in 1892, the wife of Lawrence Carroll, of Wallace. In his political allegiance, Mr. Nicholson has always been loyal to the principles of the democratic party, deeming its policy best adapted to subserve the interests of the nation. His fraternal relations are confined to his membership in the Loyal Order of Moose, of Wallace. Mr. Nicholson is one of the public-spirited, progressive citizens of the county, to the interests of which he is ever loyal, contributing his quota toward promoting its development on every possible occasion. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in February 2015 by Diane Wright. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.