Erastus G. Nichols was born in Essex county, Vermont, in 1801, in which place he passed his early life. In 1832 he moved to Niles, Michigan, where he remained three years, and then In company with Mr. L. P. Sanger took a contract on the Illinois and Michigan canal, and made the cutting through Camp Rock. He came to Prophetstown in October, 1837, and settled on the bank of Coon creek, near its confluence with Rock river. In 1840, Messrs. Nichols, Sanger, and Galbraith, contracted to dig the canal around the Rock river rapids, commencing the work at the present village of Rock Falls. These gentlemen put a large force on the work, and also opened an extensive store for that time, on the Rock Falls side. Mr. Nichols had been educated as a lawyer, and practiced some during his earlier life. In 1839, he was appointed Circuit Clerk for Whiteside county, but resigned before he had performed any duties, and in 1840 CoI. R. S. Wilson was appointed to fill the vacancy. He was the first! Postmaster when a separate Postoffice was established at Prophetstown, in 1844, but was attacked with small pox the next winter and died in February. In 1838-'39, he built a saw mill on Coon creek, which nearly ruined him financially. Mr. Nichols was a man of good ability, and very highly respected. He married Miss Elizabeth Graves. Their children were: Annette, wife of Alanson Stowell, living in Prophetstown; Edliza, wife of Phillip B. Brown, living in Prophetstown; Alpheus B., who married Miss Maria Paddock, and is now dead. Jones B., who married Miss Tamson Seely, and lives in Prophetstown; Sarah J., wife of Augustus Treadwell, living in Prophetstown; Ethan, now dead, and Wilbur, who married Miss Lucy Thorp, and lives in Prophetstown.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 381
