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Hon. William E. NELSON
Hon. William E. Nelson, County Judge of Macon County, and who for many years has been a
prominent member of the Decatur Bar, claims Tennessee as the State of his nativity, his birth having
occurred in White County June 4, 1824. His parents, Richard and Eliza (McCampbell) Nelson, were both
natives of Tennessee, and were of Irish and Scoth-Irish descent respectively. The paternal grandfather,
John Nelson, was a native of Virginia, and was a millwright and millowner. He was a Revolutionary
soldier and served throughout the struggle. His death occurred at the advanced age of eighty-five
years, at his home in Overton County, Tenn. The maternal grandfather ouf our subject, Andrew McCampbell,
was born in Scotland, and after his marriage to a lady of that country removed to Ireland, whence they
emigrated to America, locating in Virginia. Later they became residents of Tennessee, where Mr.
McCampbell followed farming in Knox County. He too aided the colonies in their struggle for independence,
and died at the age of seventy-five years.
Richard Nelson was an attorney-at-law, and resided in Sparta from the time of his marriage
until 1846, when he removed to Carrollton, Miss., where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in
1865, in his sixty-fifth year. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is his wife, who is still
living in Carrollton, at the age of ninety years. Mr. Nelson served as a member of the Constitutional
Convention in Tennessee, and was Judge of the Probate Court for many years in Mississippi. The familiy
numbered five sons and three daughters, but only three are now living; William, of this sketch; Mary F.,
wife of Charles N. Scott, of Carrollton, Miss.; and Emily, wife of James M. Moore, of College City, Cal.
In the county of his birth our subject was reared to manhood and remained until his removal
to Decatur, in June, 1857. His education was acquired in the subscription schools, and at the age of
sixteen he began the study of law with his father. In August, 1844, he was admitted to the Bar and engaged
in legal practice in White County and the adjoining circuit. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey
he chose Miss Mary A. Snodgrass, daughter of Col. James and Margaret (McKinney) Snodgrass, of White County.
Their union was celebrated February 26, 1846, and unto them were born five children, three sons and two
daughters; Margaret Eliza, James Ridley, Theodore, Flora and Richard. All died in infancy, with the
exception of Theodore, a resident of Chicago, who is at present Deputy Recorder of Deeds, and a prominent
politician. He married Augusta A., daughter of John R. Blaine, of Decatur, and they have one child, Mary
Lena. In November, 1876, the mother of this family, who had been a member of the Church of Christ, died
at the age of forty-seven years.
As before stated, Mr. Nelson cast in his lot with the early settlers of Decatur in 1857, and,
opening a law office, has since engaged in legal practice. He was appointed by the Governor as one of the
committee for the revisal of the statutes, and was elected a member of the Twenty-seventh General Assembly
of Illinois, which convened immediately after the adoption of the constitution in 1870, and he served
throughout all the repeated sessions of that long assembly. He was subsequently elected Circuit Judge of
the Fourteenth Circuit, filling the office one term, and has since been elected County Judge of Macon
County, being the present incumbent.
In June, 1889, the Judge was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lucy H.
Montgomery, widow of John T. Montomgery, and daughter of Judge Jeptha G. Hollingsworth, of Elkton, Todd
County, Ky. Our subject and his wife are among the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of
Decatur, having a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Judge Nelson is a member of the Christian
Church, and belongs to Ionic Lodge No. 312, A.F. & A.M.; Macon Chapter No. 21, R.A.M.; and Beaumanoir
Commandery No. 9, K.T. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and the principles of Democracy find in him
a very warm advocate. Judge Nelson has been frequently honored with many of the leading positions
within the gift of his fellow-townsmen, and in the various offices he has filled he has acceptably and
faithfully served, doing all in his power to promote the best interests of the people at large. He is
a broad and liberal-minded man, and in the court room presides with a dignity and ability that have won
him the commendation and respect of all with whom he had been brought in contact.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Macon Co., IL, 1893, p. 232-233
Judge William E. NELSON
Judge William E. Nelson has been one of the most conspicuous figures in the history of
jurisprudence in the fourteenth circuit of Illinois. In the long line of the illustrious men of whom
the state is justly proud the public life of few others has extended over as long a period as his and
certainly the life of none has been more varied in service, more constant in honor, more fearless in
conduct and more stainless in reputation, lie is the Nestor of the Decatur bar, having engaged in practice
since August, 1844, while since June, 1857, he has been a representative of the legal fraternity of this
city. Upon the bench, too, he has won high honors and no resident of Decatur is more worthy of mention
in this volume than Judge William E. Nelson.
The Judge is a native of Tennessee, born in White county on the 4th of June, 1824. In the
paternal line he comes of Irish lineage, but the family was established in Virginia at an early day in
the history of this country. John Nelson, the grandfather of the Judge, was born in the Old Dominion and
at the time of the Revolutionary war joined the colonists and aided in the struggle for independence,
serving until victory crowned the American army and the Republic was established. He was a millwright and
also the owner of a mill, and throughout his business career followed these pursuits. Removing to Tennessee,
he spent his last days in Overton county, where he passed away at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
His son, Richard Nelson, was born in Tennessee and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Eliza McCampbell,
who was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a daughter of Andrew McCampbell. Her father was born in the land of
hills and heather and after his marriage in that country he removed to Ireland, where he made his home until
he sailed for the new world. Taking up his residence in Virginia he remained there until his removal to
Tennessee and he, too, was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding the colonists in
their attempt to win freedom from British oppression. Becoming a resident of Tennessee he carried on farming
in Knox county and there died at the age of seventy-five years. Richard Nelson, the father of the Judge, was
an attorney and engaged in practice in Sparta, Tennessee, from the time of his marriage until 1846, when he
removed to Carrollton, Mississippi, where he spent his remaining days. Prominent in public affairs he left
the impress of his individuality upon public thought and action and aided in large measure in shaping the
policy of the states, in which he made his home. He was a member of the constitutional convention which
formed the organic law of Tennessee and for many years he filled the position of judge of the probate court
in Mississippi, and his knowledge of the law was broad and comprehensive and his clientage was ever of an
important and distinctively representative character. His death occurred in 1865 when he was in his
sixty-fifth year, and his wife passed away in Carrollton, Mississippi, when more than ninety years of age.
They were both members of the Presbyterian church and to them were born five sons and three daughters, the
surviving members of the family being William E.; Mary F., who is the wife of Charles N. Scott, of Carrollton,
Mississippi; and Emily, the wife of James M. Moore, of College City, California.
Reared to manhood in the comity of his nativity, William E. Nelson pursued his literary
education there, being a student in the subscription schools, for at that time the public school system had
not been established. When sixteen years of age he took up the study of law with his father as his preceptor
and in August, 1844, when twenty years of age he was admitted to the bar. Joining his father in practice
he was for some years connected with the legal interests of White county and the adjoining circuit and his
prowess as a lawyer was tested in the conduct of trials where he was opposed to many older and more experienced
lawyers. However, he proved his skill and capability and successfully handled many intricate problems of
jurisprudence. Continuing in practice in White county, Tennessee, until June, 1857, he then removed to Decatur,
which was a small town but seemed to have a good future before it. Here Judge Nelson opened his law office
and has since been a representative of the bar, covering a period of forty-six years. In the preparation
of his cases he was always thorough and exhaustive. He seemed almost to intuitively grasp the strong points
of law and fact and his reasoning thereon was presented so cogently and unanswerably as to leave no doubt as
to the correctness of his views or of his conclusions. No detail seemed to escape him and every point was
given its due prominence while the case was argued with such skill, ability and power that he seldom failed to
gain the verdict desired.
It is a noticeable fact that the lawyer figures more prominently in public affairs than does
the representative of any other class of business activity. The reason for this is evident and needs no
explanation. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects
for duties which lie outside the sphere of his profession and which touch the general interests of state.
Judge Nelson is a man who has brought keen discernment and thorough wisdom to bear not alone in professional
paths, but also for the benefit of the city and state which have so long been his home and with whose interests
he has been so thoroughly identified. He was appointed by the governor as one of a committee for the revisal
of the statutes and in 1870 he was elected a member of the twenty-seventh general assembly of Illinois, which
convened immediately after the adoption of the constitution. He served throughout all the repeated sessions
of that long assembly and left the impress of his individuality upon the measures adopted by that body. To
each question which came up for settlement he gave earnest and careful consideration and never failed in his
allegiance to a course which he believed would contribute to the welfare of the entire state. After his
retirement from that office he was chosen by popular suffrage to the position of circuit judge of the
fourteenth circuit of Illinois and was upon that bench for one term. Later he was elected county judge of
Macon county and by re-election was continued in the office for four years. On the bench he was the very
embodiment of judicial dignity. He was ever courteous and considerate and never tried to win cheap applause
at the expense of an inexperienced attorney or overwrought witness. A man of unimpeachable character, of
unusual intellectual endowments, with a thorough understanding of the law, patience, urbanity and industry.
Judge Nelson took to the bench the very highest qualifications for this most responsible office in the
system of the state government; and his record as a judge has been in harmony with his record as a man and
lawyer, distinguished by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problcm that has presented
itself for solution.
Ere leaving his native state Judge Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Snodgrass,
a daughter of Colonel James and Margaret (McKinney) Snodgrass, who were residents of White county, Tennessee.
This wedding was solemnized on the 26th of February, 1846, and the Judge and his wife became parents of
five children, namely: Margaret Eliza, James Ridley, Theodore, Flora and Richard, but with the exception of
Theodore, all died in infancy. Theodore Nelson has become a prominent figure in political circles in Chicago,
Illinois, and has been honored with political preferment there. He married Augusta A. Blaine, a daughter of
John R. Blaine, of Decatur, and they have one child, Mary Lena. Mrs. Nelson was a most estimable lady whose
life was in consistent harmony with her membership in the church of Christ. She died in November, 1876, at the
age of forty-seven years, respected by all who knew her. In June, 1889, the Judge was again married, at which
date Mrs. Lucy H. Montgomery became his wife. She was the widow of John T. Montgomery and a daughter of Judge
Jeptha G. Hollingsworth, of Elkton, Todd county, Kentucky. The Judge is quite prominent in Masonic circles,
holding membership with Macon Lodge No. A.F. & A.M.; Macon Chapter, No. 21, R.A.M.; and Beaumanoir
Commandery, No. 9, K.T. He also belongs to the Christian church and has been deeply interested in the moral
advancement of the community. His political support has ever been given to the Democratic party and it has
been upon this ticket that he has been elected to public office. In local positions, political and otherwise,
he has served his fellow townsmen most capably and acceptably and Decatur owes much to his cooperation in its
behalf. In his private life he is distinguished by all that marks the true gentleman. His is a noble character,
one that subordinates personal ambition to public good and seeks rather the benefit of others than the
aggrandizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which we add the discipline
and embellishments of culture, his is a most attractive personality and in Decatur, where he has so long made
his home, he is numbered among the most honored citizens, receiving the respect and regard of people of all
classes.
Past and Present of Decatur and Macon County, (1903) pg. 195-197
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Jeremiah P. NICHOLSON
Jeremiah P. Nicholson, dealer in agricultural implements, buggies and carriages of Decatur,
is numbered among the early settlers of this county. He was born in Garrard County, KY, March
10, 1840, and is descended from one of the Revolutionary heroes, his grandfather, James Nicholson,
who aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence.
Jeremiah spent his early years in a log cabin home and attended the subscription schools, his
father being the teacher part of the time. In 1851, at the age of eleven, he accompanied his
parents and their family of nine children to Macon County, the journey being made in wagons, drawn
by two teams. After the first winter, which was spent in a log cabin, they removed to South
Wheatland Township, and ten years later went to Moultrie County. In 1861 Mr. Nicholson began
working as a farm hand, and in August of that year he enlisted in Company A, eighth Ill. Inf.,
under Col. Oglesby and Capt. Bruce, the latter being succeeded by Capt. Leeper, who was killed
at Raymond, when G.F. Durfee, of Decatur, was placed in command. The first important battle in
which our subject took part was that of Shiloh. After his year's term of service had expired,
he was mustered out and returned home.
Mr. Nicholson was married Jan 26, 1865, to Catherine A., daughter of Robert Wallace, of Long
Creek Township, where the lady was born. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Moultrie
County, but after two years removed to Long Creek Township, where they lived until 1887. Mr.
Nicholson devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and was quite successful. On coming
to Decatur, he carried on a feed store for a year, and then began working for the firm of E.G.
Allen & Bros., dealers in agricultural implements, buggies and carriages. In their employ
he remained until 1892, when he bought out the business, which he has since conducted successfully.
He carries a full line of everything found in a first-class establishment of the kind, and has
a fine trade, which is constantly increasing.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have been born the following children: Mina, William H., who
married Miss Lottie Cressy, and is now bookkeeper in Milliken's Bank; Julia Ann; Cass, who
aids his father in the store; Robert B.; Carrie; and Lester. The parents are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and highly respected citizens. Mr. Nicholson is a Knight-Templar
Mason, and is a member of Dunham Post, G.A.R. He is now serving on the Board of Supervisors
of his township. Whatever our subject undertakes he carries forward to successful completion.
He is a man of good business ability, perservering and industrious, and by his own efforts he
had gained prosperity, which is well deserved.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Macon Co., IL, 1893, p. 489-490
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Simon P. NICKEY
The Nickey family are of German ancestry. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany. He
came to America and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He afterward removed to Cumberland
county, in the same state, where he remained until his death. David Nickey, his son, was born in
Cumberland county; he was a shoemaker by trade, but subsequently engaged in farming. He married
Mary Ann Max. She was born in Perry county, Pa. She died in 1830. By this marriage there were
fourteen children--eight boys and six girls--eight of whom are still living. The subject of this
sketch is the youngest in the family. He was born in Cumberland county, Pa., November 16th, 1832.
He received the rudiments of a common-school education in the private schools of his native county.
Feeling the necessity and importance of a more thorough education than the common schools afforded,
he went to work at four dollars per month, and earned money; and with the money thus earned he paid
his tuition and supported himself for three years in the Plainfield Academy in Cumberland county.
A portion of the time he taught school in the winter season and attended the academy during the
summer months. In this way he prepared himself to enter Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pa. He
entered that institution in 1853, with the intention of taking a full course and graduating and
preparing himself for the ministry; but he remained there but two years, when he came west on
a visit, and has remained here to the present.
He taught school in the winter of 1855 in Sangamon, and in Newburg in 1857 and 1858. In the
spring of 1858 he embarked in mercantile business in the village of Oakley, and at about the same
time was appointed station agent for the Great Western Railroad Company of 1859. He continued in
their employ until 1864. He was also appointed post-master in 1859, and held the office until 1862.
In the fall of 1864 he rented land in sec. 5, T. 16, R. 4 E, and in 1870 purchased the farm upon
which he at present resides. Mr. Nickey taught school eleven winters altogether in Macon county.
On the 9th of October, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary K. McCoy. She was born in
Greenbrier county, Virginia, March 31st, 1825. Her parents, John and Sarah McCoy, moved to Urbana,
Ohio, in 1832. Mrs. McCoy
was a resident of that state at the time of her marriage. By this union there has been one son,
named John McCoy Nickey. Mr. Nickey's occupation, since his residence in Illinois, has been
for the greater part of the time that of a farmer and school-teacher. In 1873 his interest and
zeal in educational matters received suitable recognition. He was elected county superintendent
of schools; he occupied the office from 1873 to 1877. His term was characterized throughout by
efficiency and zeal that aided very much in bringing up the common schools of Macon county to
their present high standard of excellence. Politically, he is a member of the democratic party.
He cast his first prsidential vote in 1856 for James Buchanan, and from that time to the
present, in all national and state elections, has uniformly voted the ticket of his first
choice. He has held various offices in his township, such as assessor, collector and school
director, and in all has discharged the duties imposed upon him in a faithful and conscientious
manner. In the summer of 1880 he received the nomination from the democratic party in
convention assembled for the office of circuit clerk, and if elected will make an efficient
and competent officer. He is a respected member of the ancient and honorable Order of
Freemasonry, and is a member of Cerro-Gordo Lodge No. 600, Piatt county, Illinois.
This, in short, is a brief biographical sketch of one of Macon county's most worthy citizens.
In his home he is a kind, hospitable gentleman, and, among his neighbors and friends who know
him best, is regarded as an upright, honorable and honest man.
History of Macon Co, Illinois, 1880 - p. 221
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