Nichols, Charles, 1820-1890

Captain Charles Nichols, whaling master, was born in the Island of Nantucket, Massachusetts on December 16, 1820. In July, 1836 at the age of 15 years, he made his first sea voyage as a sailor before the mast, and in 1845 was made first officer. In 1849, he took command of a ship as captain, and followed the sea for thirty years, principally in the whaling business in the North and South Pacific Oceans, but mainly in the Pacific. He made seven whaling voyages and two voyages in the merchant service from New York. He has sailed around the world four times via the Indian Ocean, and home via Cape Horn. He was married on August 21, 1849, to Miss Caroline H. King, of Providence, Rhode Island, who accompanied her husband thirteen years in his voyages at sea, making with him three voyages around the world. Captain Nichols first came to Odell, Illinois, in 1865 and the following year started on another voyage at sea, returning in 1870 to Odell, where he has since resided. He is President of the Town Board of Trustees, of which he has been a member for several years.