Robert Franklin Nichols (1857 - 1929)

Born 30 Jan 1857 in Hiwasse, Benton, Arkansas, USA

Ancestors

Son of Thomas W Nichols and Adeline Lucinda (Coffman) Nichols

Husband of Ama Perilla (Galyean) Nichols — married 3 Dec 1883 in Benton, Arkansas, United States

Descendants

Died 28 May 1929 at age 72 in Hiwasse, Benton, Arkansas, USA

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Biography

Robert Franklin "Frank" Nichols was born on 30 Jan 1857 in Hiwasse, Benton Co AR to Thomas W Nichols (1826-1900) and Adeline Lucinda Coffman (1828-1900).

1860 US Census:^[1] Robert was listed as 3yo and born in AR. He was living in Osage Twp, Benton Co, AR with his parents and three older siblings. Robert was the first member of his family to be born in AR; his parents and older siblings were all shown as born in TN.

No 1870 US Census record has been located.

1880 US Census:^[2] Robert was shown as 23yo and born in AR. He was living in Dickson Twp, Benton Co, AR with his parents and four younger siblings.

At least four different AR marriage records exist for "R. F. Nichols" and his wife, "A.P. Galyeon" (spelled multiple ways) - actually Ama Perilla (Galyean) Nichols (1865-1942). Most sources state they were married on 3 Dec 1883^[3] in Benton Co AR, but his obituary states they were married on 3 Dec 1884. They would go on to have the following children:

• Clinton Wakefield Nichols (1885-1964) - six children
• Shadrick Homer Nichols (1887-1956) - no children
• Pearl Nichols (1889-1892) - child death
• Archie Herbert Nichols (1891-1967) - five children
• James Ora Nichols (1893-1970) - three children lived to adulthod
• Ressie (Nichols) Horton (1894-1979) - no children
• Earl Chatman Nichols (1896-1968) - two daughters
• Hubert Zelmer Nichols (1898-1944) - no children
• Eula H (Nichols) Puryear (1900-1984) - no children
• Olan Reginald Nichols (1903-1963) - two children

1900 US Census:^[4] Robert had taken on his nickname "Frank" - he was listed as 43yo and born Jan 1857 in AR. He was living in Dickson Twp, Benton Co, AR with his wife "Annie P" (35; AR) and their children Clinton W (15), Shadrick H (13), Archie H (9), James O (7), Ressie (5), Earl C (4), Zelmer H (3), and Eula H (0).

1910 US Census:^[5] Frank was back to Robert F (52; AR) He was living with his wife "Ammy P" (44; AR) in Dickson, Benton Co, AR with their children Shadrick H (22), Archie H (19), James O (17), Ressie (15), Earl C (13), Zelmer H (11), Eula (10), and Reginald O (6). The household also included Sarah E Wages (25, AR - niece) and Clarence I Wages (2; AR - nephew, but probably great-nephew).

1920 US Census:^[6] Robert F Nichols was listed as 62yo and born in AR. He was living in Benton Co AR with his wife "Amy P" (54; AR), eight children: Shadrick H (32), Archie (28), James O (27), Bessie (25), Earl R (23), Hubert (21), Eula (19), and [Reginald] Olin R (16). The household also included daughter-in-law Maggie Nichols (25), and a new grandson Ralph L Nichols (0).

Robert Frank Nichols passed away at age 72 on 29 May 1929 in Wallace Twp, Benton Co, AR.^[7][8] The 1925 date inscribed on his gravestone in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Hiwasse AR, is incorrect.^[9].

Research Notes

The findagrave record^[9] includes a copy of "Frank's" obituary from the Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun, June 6, 1929:

Robert Franklin Nichols was born Jan 30, 1857; [he died at] aged seventy-two years, three months, and twenty-nine days. "Uncle Frank" as he was generally known, was born and reared at Hiwasse, Arkansas and lived in or near there all his life. He was a member of one of the pioneer families of this section, his father having owned and farmed a part of what is now occupied by Hiwasse citizens as village homes.

He was united in marriage by Anna Galyean December 3, 1884. To this union were born ten children, one having died at an early age, and nine of whom survive: Clint of Kansas City, Archie of Shelby, Nebr., Earl of Richmond, Mo., and Homer, Ora, Hubert, Reginald, Bessie, and Eula of Hiwasse.

He made a profession of faith to the Master when in young manhood and lived a practical Christian life. He was a gentle, kind nature. He was quiet and unassuming in manner but his heart was full of kindness towards everyone. No unjust word or unkind criticism of others passed his lips. While he loved everyone and was interested in the welfare of his fellowmen he was a home loving man and found his highest happiness in the quiet of his own home with his family.

During his last illness his suffering was intense but he bore it with the same fortitude and patience that had been his marked characteristic while in health. He was a faithful, loving husband, an indulgent parent, a truly good citizen. Besides his faithful companion and his sons and daughters he leaves to mourn his departure two brothers, A. J. Nichols of Iola, Kansas and Monroe Nichols of Porum, Okla., fourteen grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces and scores of friends. Funeral services were conducted Thursday at Mt. Pleasant and Hiwasse churches. The body was followed to the grave by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends and laid to rest in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery.

Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun, June 6, 1929.

Parents:

• Thomas W. Nichols (1826 - 1900)
• Adeline Lucinda Coffman Nichols (1826 - 1900)

Spouse: Ama Perilla Galyean Nichols (1865 - 1942)

Children:

• Clint Wakefield Nichols (1885 - 1964)
• Shadrack Homer Nichols (1887 - 1956)
• Archie Herbert Nichols (1891 - 1967)
• James Ora Nichols (1893 - 1970)
• Ressie Nichols Horton (1894 - 1979)
• Earl Chatman Nichols (1897 - 1968)
• Hubert Zelmer Nichols (1899 - 1944)
• Eula Nichols Puryear (1900 - 1984)
• Olin Reginald Nichols (1903 - 1963)

Siblings:

• James Allison Nichols (1849 - 1922)
• William Smith Nichols (1852 - 1920)
• Robert Franklin Nichols (1857 - 1929)
• Andrew Jackson Nichols (1860 - 1942)
• Calvin Monroe Nichols (1862 - 1937)
• Sarah Jane Nichols Galyean (1866 - 1900)

Burial: Mount Pleasant Cemetery Hiwasse, Benton County, Arkansas, USA

Sources

• Paternal and Maternal relationships are both confirmed by an autosomal AncestryDNA test match between Harley Nichols and Living Ireland, his 2nd cousin 1x removed. Their most-recent common ancestors are Thomas Nichols and Adeline Lucinda Coffman, the great grandparents of Harley Nichols and great great grandparents of Living Ireland. Predicted relationship from AncestryDNA: third cousin, based on sharing 154 cM across 7 segments.

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M87B-NBT : 10 November 2020), Robert Nicholas in entry for Thomes Nicholas, 1860.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN7Y-WD9 : 12 November 2020), Robert F. Nicholas in household of Thos. W. Nicholas, Benton, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 14, sheet 449D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,038.
3. ↑ "Arkansas Marriages, 1837-1944", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ13-VZS : 11 January 2020), R. F. Nichols, 1883.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3XN-Z18 : accessed 20 December 2020), Frank R Nichols, Dickson Township, Benton, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 9, sheet 11B, family 209, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,050.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKJZ-NGS : accessed 20 December 2020), Robert F Nichols, Dickson Township, Benton, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 18, sheet 5A, family 94, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 44; FHL microfilm 1,374,057.
6. ↑ ""United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDN9-MSP : 31 January 2021), Robert F Nichols, 1920.
7. ↑ Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1929; Roll: 3 - https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61777/images/61777_01_00091-00107?pId=254994
8. ↑ "Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VJT9-1PP : 27 November 2014), Robert F Nichols, 29 May 1929; derived from "Arkansas, Death Index, 1914-1950," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); a multigenerational derivative citing Division of Vital Records, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (Arkansas: Arkansas Genealogical Society).
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34338917/ni