San Francisco County
Biographies
ASA C. NICHOLS
ASA C. NICHOLS, deceased, was among the early Pioneers of
California, arriving here in 1850. He was a native of Wethersfield,
Vermont, born November 6, 1813, and on his
mother’s side descended from the Perry family of which the illustrious
Commodore Perry was a member.
Mr.
Nichols was educated in Vermont,
giving particular attention to commercial branches. He afterward settled at Barre,
Massachusetts, and carried on a general mercantile trade
until 1850, when he came to California, making the trip
by the Isthmus of Panama. Soon after his arrival in San
Francisco he secured a position with Simmons,
Hutchinson & Co., merchants, but after a short engagement he embarked in a
general commission business with Samuel F. Parker, under the firm name of
Nichols, Parker & Co. They erected a frame building at the corner of Clay
and Battery streets and also established a branch house in Sacramento
under the name of J. S. Loveland & Co. In the fire of 1851 the Clay
street store was burned, and they then erected the
brick building which they now occupy. The firm of Nichols, Parker & Co.
continued for several years, being broken by the death of Mr. Parker; the
business was closed, and Mr. Nichols engaged in loaning money, losing heavily
by accepting mining securities. He then resumed mercantile life, engaging in
the leather commission business under the firm name of Cox & Nichols; after
a few years the firm dissolved, and the present firm of A.C. Nichols & Co.
was established, A. C. Nichols owning the entire interest. His business was
almost entirely confined to the leather trade, and he was also interested in a
tannery at East Oakland; he handled the out put of the leading tanneries of Oregon
and the product of the Devlin tannery, which is said to have no superior in any
market. In 1880 he was stricken with paralysis, but continued to manage the
business by his advice and counsel until 1886, when a second stroke disabled
him; he then gave up all business care, and patiently awaited his end, which
did not come until November 19, 1889. Thus passed away a gentleman of most
courteous, kindly disposition, excellent business capabilities, and great integrity
of character. He was deeply interested in the church and educational work of
the city, and was always on the side of law and order.
Mr.
Nichols was married at Queshee, Vermont,
in 1847, to Miss Ellen Wolcott Foster, a descendant of Puritan and Revolutionary
stock. Governor Bradford, the second Governor of Massachusetts,
and Oliver Wolcott, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, were
among her ancestors. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols had born to them six children: Ella
F., widow of T. W. Parker, who was at one time President of the Panama
Railroad; Louise P, Wife of Hepburn Wilkins; Alice Wolcott, wife of A. G.
Towne; Belle Carter, Grace and Charles Carter, a partner and manager of the
business of A. G. Nichols & Co.
Transcribed by Kim Buck.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 524-525,
Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Kim Buck.
California
Biography Project
San
Francisco County
California
Statewide
Golden
Nugget Library