Born in the state of Virginia, Elizabeth Jane was the fourth child of David Huggans/Huggins and Elizabeth Riley. She was always called by her middle name,Jane. She was born a strawberry blonde, a small boned woman and not very tall. In 1853, her family moved to Cantrill, Iowa, bought a small home, about 15 miles from the Missouri border in southern Iowa. Her father farm his land and raise four girls and four boys. On April 22, 1866, Jane married Joseph Ezra Nichols. They were married in the Methodist Church in Upton Iowa. Jane was a devout Bible scholar, even though she had little choice, because of Joseph's strong beliefs. He was strict in his laurels and the rearing of his family. Jane joined the Methodist Church at Upton in 1894 and lived as a consistent Christian throughout her life. She had an old pump Organ with a beautiful tone that she played by ear and would play hymns for the family to sing together. She was a thoughtful and unselfish person. After her children were grown and her husband, Joseph, was gone she got $40 a month Social Security and managed to give some to Clarence Otto, Who seem to be always out of work with a family to raise. Harvey lived with her until she died. She had no electricity and no phone. As of 1991, the remains of the foundation of their small home and the resemblance of a road directly in front of the foundation can still be seen. Several of Jane's descendants visited the site. Verlon (Dutch) H. Nichols said she had an eight day clock which she wound every Sunday. It was kept on a shelf and she had to use a stool to reach it. When she died the clock stopped working. Dutch's father Hershel, trird to have it repaired but nothing could get it at work again. After her husband, Joseph, died, Elizabeth lived (based on obituaries and newspaper articles) in Upton – 1917, Cantrill – 1918, Fairfield – 1923, and back to Upton – 1930. She sold her home for $1.00 to son Harvey, and she lived with him until her death. Elizabeth death recorded at the courthouse in Keosauqua, Iowa, book number two, page 151; died 83 years 9 months, 9 days, Housewife; d. Feb 22, 1931; widowed; birth Virginia; dp. Cantrill Iowa; cause; coronary arteriosclerosis; bur. Cantral Iowa. One of her descendants has Elizabeth black and white dress which is extremely small which shows that she was a tiny woman. The dress was given to the descendant's mother, Pauline Nichols Powell by Harvey Nichols.

Bio from the files of Betty NICHOLS TOGNETTI and Living descendant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joseph and Jane were the parents of nine children:

William Henry Nichols m. Cynthia Estella Hughes

David Julius Nichols

Rosamond Nichols m. John Franklin grade

Alfred Nichols

Wyman Ezra Nichols m. Margaret Elizabeth manning

Melvin Curtis Nichols m. Frederica Bertha stoker

Clarence auto Nichols m. Mary Etta Wireman

Eliza Elnora Nichols

Harvey Franklin Nichols m. Adelia Marie Heiden Dotson