Santa Barbara County Biographies

M. S. NICHOLS

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


M. S. NICHOLS, a retired rancher of Lompoc, was born in Lewis County, 
New York, in 1840, where he was also educated. At the breaking out of the war 
he enlisted at Boonville, in October, 1861, in Company B, of the Ninety-seventh New 
York State Volunteers, under Colonel Charles Wheelock. The regiment was in the First 
Corps, and brigaded under General Duryea, and began active service at the battle of 
Cedar Mountain, in August, 1862, which was followed by Rappahannock, Second Bull 
Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Under General Grant 
they were at the battle of the Wilderness. Cold Harbor. Malvern Hill, siege of Petersburg, 
and many smaller engagements and skirmishes. Mr. Nichols was wounded several 
times, from which he has never recovered. They were mustered out in October, 1864. 

Mr. Nichols then returned home, where he passed one year. In the fall of 1865 he came 
to California by water, and the Isthmus of Panama. After arrival at San Francisco he 
went to Santa Cruz, where he had brothers living, and in partnership with them he  
entered the lumbering business, which he followed for four years. He was engaged in 
butchering until 1874, when became to Lompoc, with the original incorporators of the 
colony. He attended the first sale and bought some inside property ; he also rented 150 
acres, which he farmed. In 1878 he took up 160 acres of Government land, north of town, 
and also rented 500 acres additional. He improved his ranch and carried on general 
farming up to January, 1890, when, owing to lameness caused by his army disabilities, he 
rented his ranch, and moved his family in town, where he owned improved property. 

Mr. Nichols was married in California, in 1872, to Miss Pastora Dakan, and the union 
has been blessed with three children. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.