J.S. Nicholson
J. S. NICHOLSON, editorof the Beardstown Illinoian, was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England,in 1832. The family left Liverpool on the anniversary of the Queen’s marriage,and, like so many emigrants, had a slow passage to New Orleans, thenceup the Mississippi river, settling at last, after a journey of eleven weekswith teams, at Jacksonville. In 1850 the family settled on improved landsnear Beardstown. They farmed this land. Part of the family moved to Rome,Peoria county, where the father died, aged seventy-three years, four monthsand twenty-eight days. He had been a good, quiet citizen. The war of theRebellion changed his politics and he became a decided Republican in hisold age. His wife, formerly Miss Mary Needham, died February 9, 1881. Shehad been a good, kind wife and mother, and both she and her husband wereconsistent members of the Methodist Church, having been so connected forthirty-five years.The subject of our sketchcommenced life here as an office boy at the office of a paper of whichhe later became the proprietor and editor. The history of journalism inBeardstown began as early as 1834, when F. Arenz, the brother of JudgeArenz, became the editor of the Beardstown Chronicle and Illinoiana kind of land advertiser. The next paper was started by Judge Emmons in1845, and this was later owned by C. D. Dickinson, and he was followedby J. M. Sherman. Soon after it became the property of B. C. Drake, whoran it under the name of the Central Illinoian. When the war brokeout the office was closed and the editor enlisted. The paper was re-organizedby R. S. Mitchell, the property becoming owned by a stock company. Followingthe election of 1863 it became the property of L. W. Reavis, who continuedto be the owner until 1866. The next year the paper was the property ofA. J. Miller and was edited by Judge Emmons, and in 1877 Mr. Nicholsonbecame the manager and proprietor. He was his own editor, and except fora short interval in 1883, has continued to run it successfully as a semi-weekly,under the name of the Illinoian. He is a thorough and practicalnewspaper man and the columns display his ability. His paper is run inthe interests of the Republican party, and he has taken hold of all mattersthat tend toward reform. He has always been a great admirer of AbrahamLincoln and relates Mr. Lincoln’s early experiences here with an especialpride and enthusiasm.
He was married in this city,in 1860, to Miss J. D. C. Harris, who came from England with her parentswhen a young woman. She died here in 1873, leaving four children, of whombut one is still living, Charles B., a member of the firm of Merry &Nicholson of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Nicholson was married for the secondtime, in this city, to Miss E. J. Buck. She was born, reared and educatedin Cass county, and she has been a good wife and mother, and is an intelligentlady. Her one child is a son named Edgar E., a bright lad of twelve years.Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Heis a Republican in every sense. He has frequently been a delegate to theState and District Conventions and once a member of the State Central Committee.
Biographical Review ofCass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review PublishingCo., Chicago, 1892, pages 244-245.
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