Senator from the Twentieth District, composed of the counties of Muscatine and Louisa, was born near West Liberty, Muscatine county, Iowa, May 13, 1855. His parents, Ira Nichols, a native of New York, and Elizabeth W. Nichols, a native of Ohio, came to Iowa in the spring of 1854 and settled in the well-known South Prairie District, near West Liberty. His mother is still living in West Liberty. His education was that of the country school, supplemented by a short course in a business college. Has been a farmer since early manhood. Has held a number of positions of honor and trust, among them being president of the Union District Agricultural Society, president of the Iowa Condensed Milk Company, member and chairman of the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, and member of the House of Representatives from the Forty-second District in the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies. Elected Senator in 1906. A Republican in politics.

Senator from the Twentieth Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Muscatine and Louisa, was born near West Liberty, Muscatine county, Iowa, May 13, 1855. His parents, Ira Nichols, a native of New York, and Elizabeth W. Nichols, a native of Ohio, came to Iowa in the spring of 1854 and settled in the well-known South Prairie District, near West Liberty. His mother is still living in West Liberty. His education was that of the country school, supplemented by a short course in a business college. He has been a farmer since early manhood. Has held a number of positions of honor and trust, among them being president of the Union District Agricultural Society, president of the Iowa Condensed Milk Company, member and chairman of the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, and member of the House of Representatives from the Forty-second District in the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies. Was elected Senator in 1906. A Republican in politics.

A native of Muscatine county he was born May 13, 1855, and is a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Luse) Nichols, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Morrow county, Ohio. Jay I. Nichols was educated in the common schools and also attended the high school. Starting in life on his own account at twenty-one years of age, he settled upon a place in Wapsinonoc township. He took a deep interest in all subjects pertaining to agriculture and has served as president of the Iowa Condensed Milk Company, the Union District Agricultural Society, and for five years was a member of the Muscatine county board of supervisors and was instrumental in instituting a number of improvements which have been of practical value to the county. Politically a republican, he has wielded a strong influence in the councils of the party and served as representative of the forty-second district in the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies and also as state senator for a term of four years, from 1906 to 1910. In all his duties, both public and private, he has displayed a judgment and discrimination that have reflected credit upon himself and those with whom he has been associated. On the 23d of November, 1876, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Birkett, who was born in Muscatine county. His wife passed away in 1859 and Mr. Birkett was married two years later to Susannah Hargreaves, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Nichols and his family were active members of the Methodist Protestant church, and were prominently identified with the social life of the community. By his public spirit, his genial manner and cordial disposition he made many friends and years ago he attained recognition as one of the leading citizens of Muscatine county. Few men have been more closely identified with the development and prosperity of this part of the state.

A native of Muscatine county he was born May 13, 1855, and is a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Luse) Nichols, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Morrow county, Ohio. Jay I. Nichols was educated in the common schools and also attended the high school. Starting in life on his own account at twenty-one years of age, he settled upon a place in Wapsinonoc township. He took a deep interest in all subjects pertaining to agriculture and has served as president of the Iowa Condensed Milk Company, the Union District Agricultural Society, and for five years was a member of the Muscatine county board of supervisors and was instrumental in instituting a number of improvements which have been of practical value to the county. Politically a republican, he has wielded a strong influence in the councils of the party and served as representative of the forty-second district in the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies and also as state senator for a term of four years, from 1906 to 1910. In all his duties, both public and private, he has displayed a judgment and discrimination that have reflected credit upon himself and those with whom he has been associated. On the 23d of November, 1876, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Birkett, who was born in Muscatine county. His wife passed away in 1859 and Mr. Birkett was married two years later to Susannah Hargreaves, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Nichols and his family were active members of the Methodist Protestant church, and were prominently identified with the social life of the community. By his public spirit, his genial manner and cordial disposition he made many friends and years ago he attained recognition as one of the leading citizens of Muscatine county. Few men have been more closely identified with the development and prosperity of this part of the state.

A native of Muscatine county he was born May 13, 1855, and is a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Luse) Nichols, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Morrow county, Ohio. Jay I. Nichols was educated in the common schools and also attended the high school. Starting in life on his own account at twenty-one years of age, he settled upon a place in Wapsinonoc township. He took a deep interest in all subjects pertaining to agriculture and has served as president of the Iowa Condensed Milk Company, the Union District Agricultural Society, and for five years was a member of the Muscatine county board of supervisors and was instrumental in instituting a number of improvements which have been of practical value to the county. Politically a republican, he has wielded a strong influence in the councils of the party and served as representative of the forty-second district in the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first General Assemblies and also as state senator for a term of four years, from 1906 to 1910. In all his duties, both public and private, he has displayed a judgment and discrimination that have reflected credit upon himself and those with whom he has been associated. On the 23d of November, 1876, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Birkett, who was born in Muscatine county. His wife passed away in 1859 and Mr. Birkett was married two years later to Susannah Hargreaves, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Nichols and his family were active members of the Methodist Protestant church, and were prominently identified with the social life of the community. By his public spirit, his genial manner and cordial disposition he made many friends and years ago he attained recognition as one of the leading citizens of Muscatine county. Few men have been more closely identified with the development and prosperity of this part of the state.