From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton 
Beckwith, publ. 1912 - Pages 594 - 595
 
LEVI ADAMS NICHOLS.  One of the well known business men of Lake Geneva is Levi 
Adams NICHOLS, who is well deserving of the success that has attended his 
efforts and of the respect of his fellow men which they freely accord, because 
he has lived an industrious, conservative, and honorable life.
 
Mr. NICHOLS was born in Montgomery, Franklin county, Vermont, April 13, 1850, 
and is the son of S. J. and Mary A. (ADAMS) NICHOLS.  The mother was a 
descendant of the ADAMS family so noted in American history and which produced 
two Presidents and other leaders.  S. J. NICHOLS was of Scotch descent and his 
ancestors were among the early settlers of northern Vermont, having come there 
from Leominster, Massachusetts.  In 1854 the subject of this sketch was 
brought west by his parents, who located in section 25, Linn township, 
Walworth county, Wisconsin.  There the father bought a farm of four hundred 
and fifty acres and there he spent the rest of his life, having become well 
established.  He and his wife both died in 1890.  He had prospered through 
close application and the exercise of sound judgment and, having added to his 
original purchase, he at one time owned about one thousand acres of valuable 
land and was regarded as one of the county's most substantial and progressive 
agriculturists.  Farming was his chief interest all his life.
 
Levi A. NICHOLS grew to manhood in Linn township, and when a boy assisted with 
the general work about the place, attending the district schools in the winter 
time.  In 1876 he took a part of the farm there and this he still owns and has 
been engaged in agricultural pursuits in connection with stock raising ever 
since.  He has kept his land well improved and under a high state of 
cultivation.  In 1903 he became a director in the First National Bank of Lake 
Geneva, and in January, 1909, he was elected president of that institution, 
which is regarded as one of the popular, safe and conservative institutions of 
southeastern Wisconsin, and he has continued to discharge the duties of this 
important position in a manner that reflects credit upon himself and elicits 
the commendation of all concerned.
 
Mr. NICHOLS was united in marriage with Ada E. RICE in October, 1876.  She 
grew up and was educated in Whitewater, and she is the daughter of Edwin M. 
and Laura W. (WICKER) RICE, both natives of Bridgeport, Vermont, from which 
state they came to Wisconsin in 1841 and located in Richmond township, 
Walworth county.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. NICHOLS four children have been born, two sons and two 
daughters, namely: John E., who married Cora BAKER, is farming a part of his 
father's land; Charles L., who married Helen BROWN, is also farming part of 
his father's land; he has two children, Velma and John; Marjery A. married 
Harold W. STEWART, an instructor in the University of Illinois at Urbana.
 
Fraternally, Mr. NICHOLS belongs to the lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and 
the chapter at Lake Geneva; he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen.  He and 
his wife are both members of the Congregational church and are liberal 
supporters of the same.
 
After he had spent twenty-five years on the farm, Mr. NICHOLS moved to the 
village of Hebron, Illinois, where he immediately became identified with the 
life of the place and he took an active part in promoting the public 
improvements of the village.  It is worthy of mention that any offices or 
positions of leadership which he has attained have come without his 
solicitation.  He has proven eminently worthy of every trust reposed in him, 
always performing his duties as he saw and understood the right.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)