Sacramento County
Biographies
EDWIN
NICHOLAS
EDWIN NICHOLS--Born and reared in Sacramento County, it seems especially fitting that Edwin Nicholas should hold public office in his home environment, and particularly one in which a thorough knowledge of the locality is necessary. He is the son of John and Louisa (Sorenson) Nicholas, both natives of Norway, where the father was born, in Arendal, November 27, 1828; John Nicholas received his education in the district schools of his native land and when fourteen years old was confirmed in the parish church. Choosing the sea for his vocation, he went out as cabin boy, and later became able seaman, and for ten years he followed the sea, making port in many parts of the world, including Europe, Algeria, Africa and part of North America.
In 1850 he located in Mobile, Ala., and in 1854 went to New York and embarked for California, via Panama. On reaching the state, he mined in Eldorado and Nevada Counties; later he teamed to the mines. In 1857 this sturdy pioneer bought from the government 160 acres of land six miles south of Sacramento, near the present town of Florin, in the Pacific district, and engaged in ranching, stockraising and dairying, and he became a successful and prominent rancher of the district. Twice married, his first wife was Eliza Ourkirk, a native of Holland, their marriage occurring in 1852, and in 1879 she passed on.
On February 24, 1883, occurred the marriage of John Nicholas to Louisa Sorenson, who was also a native of Norway, born November 19, 1851, and 1881 marks the time of her arrival in California; four children were born of this union, the two now living being Edwin and Dora, wife of C. B. Wire. The father died in 1910, and the mother died May 16, 1923.
Edwin Nicholas attended the schools of the Pacific district, and at an early age worked on his father’s ranch, and he has followed agricultural pursuits since that early beginning; in 1908 he took charge of the home ranch and still carries on its operation. It is one of the few old places in the county still in the possession of the descendants of the original owners. Always active in community affairs, he is trustee of the Pacific school district; and for eight years he served as deputy constable of that district. When Hon. J. J. Henderson, the recently elected district attorney of Sacramento County, took office, in January, 1923, he appointed Edwin Nicholas a detective on his staff of deputies, selecting him from a list of applicants as being especially fitted to fill the office, owing to his years of experience in criminal investigation as deputy constable, as well as his familiarity with every inch of the ground in this part of the state.
The marriage of Mr. Nicholas united him with Eva F. Spence, also a native of Sacramento County, and one daughter has been born to them, Irma Jeanette. Fraternally Mr. Nichols is a member of the Florin Lodge of Odd Fellows No. 364, and he is popular throughout his district as a man of fine integrity and one who believes in advancing the best interests of his home community.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Page 930.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.