Central California Biographies

A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California : illustrated : containing 
a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its discovery to the 
present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future, illustrations and full-page portraits of 
some of its eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and prominent citizens of 
to-day (1893)

Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Author: Barrows, Henry D; Ingersoll, Luther A

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

 


CAPTAIN W. P. NICHOLS.� Few men have more extended acquaintance, or are more 
widely and generally known than Captain W. P. Nichols, the subject of this brief sketch. 

Prior to his final location in California he followed a seafaring life, and as an of officer of 
a merchant ship visited the seaports of the State twice: the first voyage to the coast he 
made in 1852, when he was second officer of the ship Franconia, from Boston. In 1867 
or 1868 he again visited the coast, as master of the ship Nevada, also engaged in the 
merchant service; and his third and last voyage was in 1869, when he landed in Monterey. 

Soon after his arrival he was tendered a position as Deputy County Clerk, by the 
County Clerk, W. M. Pt. Parker, which office he held for two years. He then served 
under Sheriff Andrew Wasson, as Deputy Sheriff and under Sheriff Smith, also. He 
then entered the County Clerk's office, again, as Deputy County Clerk, under Clerk 
Dexter, and still holds the same position under T. J. Riordan, Esq. He also served as 
Treasurer of Salinas city for eight years. 

The Captain has been married twice, the first time in 1863, in Boston, to Miss Elizabeth, 
a sister of Judge W. M. Parker, of Salinas. She died in 1871, leaving two children, Harry 
P. and John Lewis. In 1875 Captain Nichols married Mrs. J. M. Furman, and by this union 
he has four children, namely: Mary A., Julian P., Lena E. and Gertrude T.