JOHN S. NICHOLL, a successful farmer of Nottingham township, is a son of Samuel and grandson of Sampson Nicholl. Sampson Nicholl was born in 1750 in Ireland, and came to America in 1775. He entered with all his heart into the Revolutionary struggle, and fought seven years for his adopted country. After the war he managed a pack train, and finally settled on a farm in Somerset township, Washington Co., Penn., where he died. Samuel Nicholl was born May 24, 1816, on a farm in West Bethlehem township, Penn., where his boyhood was passed. On July 2, 1845, he married Miss Rachel Donney, who was born, September 20, 1817, in Fayette county, Penn. The following children were born to this marriage: John S., Frank D., Jane, Mary, Julius S., Robison and Josephine (deceased). The father was a farmer all his life, and took an active part in the affairs of the township. He died April 1, 1889, and the mother is yet living with her children.
John S. Nicholl was born July 26, 1846, on the old homestead in West Bethlehem. In 1867 he began life for himself, and was married September 3, 1867, to Sarah J., daughter of John Dague, a well-known agriculturist of this county. They have had five children, but two of whom are now living: John S. R. and Frank H., at home with their parents. Oscar L., Rachel J. and Sarah Jane are dead. Some years ago Mr. Nicholl dealt extensively in sheep, buying them in the East, and shipping to points in the Western States. Sarah Jane Dague Nicholl was born January 12, 1847. She was the youngest daughter of John Dague, Sr. His father came from Germany. John Dague, Sr., was born in West Bethlehem, October 4, 1807, died February 13, 1888. He married Annie Huffman, daughter of Joseph Huffman. She was born in 1811, died June 2, 1847, leaving eleven children: Catherine, Joseph H., Henry, Elizabeth, Susanna, Louis, Mahala, Maria, John, Jr., Martha and Sarah J. Dague, all living except Maria.
Text taken from page 481 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed June 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]