Bennington

NICHOLS, Levi H.

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 430-431

Levi H. NICHOLS, M. D., a skillful and highly successful physician of 
Stanford [Stamford, Bennington County], Vermont, was born 29 August 1843 in 
Halifax, Windham County, Vermont, a son of Greene C. NICHOLS. His 
grandfather, Deacon Arad NICHOLS, a lifelong resident of Halifax, Vermont, 
was a farmer by occupation, and by dint of unceasing toil, wrested a farm 
from the wilderness, making it yield a good living for himself and family. 
He [Arad NICHOLS] was born 11 November 1782, and lived to a ripe old age. 
His wife was born 09 February 1785. Both were members of the Baptist church, 
in which he served as deacon for a long period. They were the parents of 
eight children: (1) John, born 04 July 1808; (2) Sally, born 30 May 1810; 
(3) Arad, born 05 January 1812; (4) Greene, born 24 January 1814; (5) 
Samuel, born 11 September 1815; (6) William, born 14 January 1817; (7) 
Matilda, born 01 December 1823; and (8) Gilbert, who was born in 1824 and 
died 26 March 1843.

Greene C. NICHOLS, born 24 January 1814 on the ancestral homestead at Halifax 
[Windham County], Vermont, began his independent career as a farmer in his 
place of nativity, there meeting with eminent success. Removing to Stanford 
[Stamford, Bennington County], he enlarged his operations by establishing a 
sawmill, which he managed in conjunction with general farming and lumbering 
until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a public-spirited 
man, prominent in the ranks of the old-line Whigs and Republicans, and served 
his fellow townsmen in numerous positions of trust, including that of 
selectman and justice of the peace. He was a Baptist in religion, and for 
many years a deacon in the church. On 10 May 1837 he [Greene C. NICHOLS] 
married Keziah FAIRBANKS, who was born 22 September 1818, and they became the 
parents of five children: (1) Daniel G., born 24 February 1838, died in 
infancy; (2) Daniel G., the second of that name, born 19 February 1841, died 
18 August 1864; (3) Levi H., the immediate subject of these memoirs; (4) 
Keziah A., born 28 March 1850; and (5) Ruth, born 27 August 1853.

Levi H. NICHOLS was but four years of age when he parents located at Stamford 
[Bennington County, Vermont], their first home being a log house, which the 
father subsequently replaced by a substantial frame structure. Remaining 
with his parents until twenty-one years old, he assisted in the home work, a 
part of the time running the mill. During this time, however, he was 
preparing himself for a professional career by reading and study of the best 
medical works. After attaining his majority, he studied medicine with Dr. 
Homer BUSHNELL and attended three terms at the Albany Medical College. 
Returning to Stamford, Dr. NICHOLS established himself as a physician, and in 
the quarter of a century that has since elapsed, has won an extensive and 
lucrative practice in this locality, his professional knowledge and ability 
being widely appreciated and known. He has been especially successful in the 
treatment of typhoid fever, and as a health officer has greatly improved the 
sanitary condition of the town, particularly by instructing the people of his 
community in regard to the care of the water supplies. Republican. Member 
of Social Lodge No. 28, Free & Accepted Masons, of Wilmington, Vermont. 
Member of the State Medical and the Northern Berkshire Medical societies. 
Attends the Baptist church, of which his wife is a member, and gave material 
assistance toward the erection of the new church building by helping to raise 
money for its construction, and by serving as one of the building committee.

Dr. [Levi H.] NICHOLS married, first, in 1868, [Miss?] Cynthia JILSON, the 
daughter of a well known farmer of Stamford [Bennington County, Vermont]. 
She died at the age of twenty-two years, having borne two children, of whom 
but one is living, Hattie M., who married Miner WRIGHT, of Sadawga [now 
Whitingham, Windham County, Vermont, on Lake Sadawga], by whom she has one 
child, Walter M. WRIGHT. Dr. [Levi H.] NICHOLS married, second, [Miss] 
Jennie M. PRENTICE, who was born in Middlefield [Hampshire County], 
Massachusetts, a daughter of Joseph PRENTICE. Mr. [Joseph] PRENTICE was born 
in Worthington [Hampshire County], Massachusetts, where he learned the trade 
of scythe maker, which he followed in connection with farming in the towns of 
Worthington, Cummington [both in Hampshire County, Massachusetts], and North 
Adams [Berkshire County, Massachusetts], living in Massachusetts until 
shortly before his decease 20 January 1884 at Stamford [Bennington County], 
Vermont, at the age of sixty-eight years. Of the union of Joseph PRENTICE 
and Elvira J. AYERS, of Cumminton [Hampshire County, Massachusetts], four 
children were born, of whom three survive: Joseph Monroe PRENTICE, of North 
Adams [Berkshire County], Massachusetts; Sarah Sebia, wife of Charles N. 
BROWN, of Stamford [Bennington County], Vermont; and Jennie M., wife of Dr. 
[Levi H.] NICHOLS. The deceased child was Emma C. PRENCTICE, who died 22 
August 1847. Mrs. PRENTICE [Elvira J.] died in 1874, aged fifty-six years. 
She and her husband were devoted and consistent members of the First 
Congregational church. Jonathan PRENTICE, father of Joseph PRENTICE, 
rendered valuable service in connection with militia organization in 
preparing for the War of the Revolution. Mrs. Dr. NICHOLS [Jennie M. 
(PRENTICE) NICHOLS] is a member of the Baptist church, and has served as 
president of the Ladies' Aid Society.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly