Thomas F. Nicholas of Texas County, Missouri

Thomas F. Nicholas, circuit clerk and recorder of Texas County, Mo., is a native of Texas County, Mo., born February 28, 1852, and is the son of Walker and Isaminda (Elliott) Nicholas, natives of Missouri and Indiana, respectively, and both deceased, he in the State of Louisiana, March 17, 1885, when fifty-five years of age, and she in Texas County, Mo., March 21, 1852, at the age of eighteen or nineteen, when the subject of this sketch was an infant only twenty-one days old. The father when a boy came from Washington County, Mo., to Texas County, of the same State, and was married February 14, 1851, and remained in that county until after the death of his wife. He then, when Thomas F. was one year old, left him in Missouri, and March 1, 1853, went to California, and was engaged in mining for nine years, or until about the breaking out of the late war. Returning to Missouri he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served as forager or wagon-master until cessation of hostilities. He then went to Central America, engaging in the timber business and trading, but afterward returned to Louisiana, about the year 1869 or 1870, where he turned his attention to farming. He then married Miss Mary Barrow, who is now living in Louisiana. To Mr. Nicholas and his first wife was born one child, Thomas F., the subject of this sketch. While his father was in California Thomas F. was left in care of Miss Mary Hamilton, an unmarried lady, who is now living with our subject. The latter received his education at the schools in Texas County, worked on the farm, also cut cord-wood and worked in saw-mills, and in 1875-76-77 he taught school in Texas County. In 1878 he was elected circuit clerk and recorder on the Democratic ticket. Since then he has been re-elected twice to the same position by the Democratic party, and the last time had no opposition. April 9, 1876, he married Miss Drucilla Farris, a native of Missouri, and the daughter of James Farris, one of the first settlers of Texas County, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas have been born three children: Mary, Orlena and Daisy. Mrs. Nicholas is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Nicholas is a decided Democrat in his political views. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, and has represented the same twice in the Grand Lodge of the State. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. His success has been attained by a life-time of hard labor and attention to his official duties.