Thomas Nichols was one of the early settlers of Hendricks county. In 1828, Col. Nichols was elected sheriff of this county, serving four years, and moved to Danville, then a small village of four or five houses. He was the second sheriff of Hendricks county. After this the colonel worked at the carpenter business thirty years and built many of the prominent buildings of the olden times. In 1833-34-35-36, Mr. Nichols represented the county in the state legislature, and in 1844 he was again elected sheriff, serving four years more. In 1860 he was once more elected sheriff, served four years, making a total service in that office of twelve years. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace, held this office longer than any other citizen in this county; he tried many cases, and married, at least, 150 couples. In 1832, he raised a company of fifty-four men at Danville, was elected captain, and served in the Black Hawk war. He went to Chicago--then consisting only of old Fort Dearborn--and, Black Hawk being captured, he returned home. Col. Nichols was a member of the Methodist church, and was the first Mason ever made in Hendricks county, 1846, Western Star lodge, Danville; he has held all the offices, including secretary, and was master of the lodge twelve years. Politically he was first an old-line Whig, throwing his first vote for Henry Clay, for president in 1824, and later he was one of the original Republicans of Hendricks county.
Thomas Nichols was one of the early settlers of Hendricks county. In 1828, Col. Nichols was elected sheriff of this county, serving four years, and moved to Danville, then a small village of four or five houses. He was the second sheriff of Hendricks county. After this the colonel worked at the carpenter business thirty years and built many of the prominent buildings of the olden times. In 1833-34-35-36, Mr. Nichols represented the county in the state legislature, and in 1844 he was again elected sheriff, serving four years more. In 1860 he was once more elected sheriff, served four years, making a total service in that office of twelve years. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace, held this office longer than any other citizen in this county; he tried many cases, and married, at least, 150 couples. In 1832, he raised a company of fifty-four men at Danville, was elected captain, and served in the Black Hawk war. He went to Chicago--then consisting only of old Fort Dearborn--and, Black Hawk being captured, he returned home. Col. Nichols was a member of the Methodist church, and was the first Mason ever made in Hendricks county, 1846, Western Star lodge, Danville; he has held all the offices, including secretary, and was master of the lodge twelve years. Politically he was first an old-line Whig, throwing his first vote for Henry Clay, for president in 1824, and later he was one of the original Republicans of Hendricks county.
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