Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 1008. JOSEPH NICHOLS a farmer and stockman of Klamath county, came to this section when but few settlers were to be found and since that time has labored with a display of energy and enterprise, both in building up the country and increasing his own exchequer. A sturdy and capable frontiersman, a substantial and good man, he has not only won success in his labors during this time but has also won many friends and a fine standing. When he landed here in the fall of 1878, he was without means and had a family to support. Consequently there was much arduous labor and many trying experiences to pass through but he and his family have weathered all and he has become one of the prosperous and well-to-do men of the country. Joseph Nichols was born on April 1, 1844, in Linn county, Iowa. The parents were Joseph and Indiana Nichols, natives of Virginia and Indiana, respectively. The mother died in Linn county, Iowa, in 1852. The brothers and sisters of our subject are Mrs. Eliza Cochran, died at Yakima, Washington; John, died near Bonanza; Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis, died near Prineville; Amos, died in Kansas; William, living near Viola, Washington; Mrs. Sarah J. Payne, residing near Denver, Colorado; Nathan, of Union county, Oregon;Taylor, living near Bonanza. Our subject is the third from the last. He lived in Linn county, Iowa, during the early days and remembers well the hostility of the Indians and frontier life on the prairie. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was in the department of the Gulf of Mexico. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the capture of Fort Morgan and Mobile and saw much hard service. He was injured at Vicksburg and for several months languished in the hospital. During the siege he was obliged to work four nights out of each week. He continued in the service until September, 1865, being then honorably discharged. Many times he was on short rations and on the verge of starvation and was in many trying scenes where his comrades were falling all about him, yet he escaped with his life and the consciousness that he had fought well for his flag. Shortly after his discharge, he went to Lawrence, Kansas and in 1875, came to Placer county, California. The following winter his father joined him and in the fall of 1878, they came to what is now Klamath county. Mr. Nichols located his present place, which is one and one-fourth miles north of Bonanza, as a homestead and his father took one adjoining. The latter lived there until his death on November 18, 1898, being at that time one hundred years, nine months and twenty-nine days old. Mr. Nichols now owns a half section of land, two hundred acres of which are under cultivation and the estate is all fenced and well improved with good residence, barns and so forth. He raises grain and hay and handles some cattle and horses. On October 27, 1872, Mr. Nichols married Miss Mary A. Griffiths, a native of Missouri. Her father is deceased and her mother is living in Lawrence, Kansas. Her brothers and sisters are named as follows: William T., of Douglas county, Kansas; Mrs. Lizzie Hughes, of Lawrence, in that state; James of Auburn, California; and Mrs. Lou Davis, of the same place. To our subject and his wife, nine children have been born: Clara, wife of Edward Wallace of Merrill; Nellie, the wife of George Moore, of Mabton, Washington; Harry; Lou, wife of Charles Wallace, of Antelope, Oregon; Eva, wife of Alax Bradburn, of Antelope, Oregon; Homer; James; Charles; and Myrtle. Mr. Nichols has always dwelt on the frontier and has always shown himself an enterprising and progressive man. He has endured his share of the hardships of life and has overcome them in a good manner, being now one of the respected and substantial men of the county. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.