California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

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


WALTER R. NICHOLS.   As a result of the development of the past thirty or forty years one of the most 
interesting and attractive and valuable sections of Santa Barbara County is the Dos Pueblos Canyon. 
The pioneer American settler there was the late Walter R. Nichols, who more than thirty-five years ago 
went there with his wife, and she is now the pioneer woman of that locality. The part played by the 
late Walter R. Nichols was one of consistent effort and progressive advancement not only as a 
developer of his own land but also as a good citizen.  
 
He was born in Springfield. Illinois, in 1851, a son of William and Mary Nichols. After gaining an 
education in the public schools of his native state he set out for the land of his dreams, California.  
 
It was in 1880 that he came into the Dos Pueblos Canyon, where he homesteaded 160 acres. 
Thenceforward to the end of his life he was engaged in clearing, improving and cultivating this fine 
tract, and left it in a splendid condition at the time of his death on August 13, 1896. He was the type of 
citizen whom the people of Santa Barbara County can consistently honor.

Since his death the work of the ranch has been conducted by his children, and it is one of the very fine 
estates in that part of Santa Barbara County. Mrs. Nichols still resides there. In 1883 Mr. Nichols 
married Matilda Hanshew, a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Bird) Hanshew.

Mrs. Nichols was born in Brooklyn, New York, but was brought to California as a girl, and as already 
stated was the first woman resident in the Dos Pueblos Canyon. With the assistance of her children 
she has successfully carried on the old ranch, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of that 
community. Her children are: Walter R., now deceased; Elisabeth, Emily, William and Faith.  
 
The late Mr. Nichols was a republican and was a member of the Masonic order.