Eli Nichols was for forty years a well-known citizen of Coshocton county.  He was for many years, ending with his death, the largest land-owner in the county, being in occupancy of the quarter township of New Castle, now held by his son, Lloyd Nichols. He came from Belmont county, Ohio.
His death occurred at his home, after an illness of only two days. His age was seventy-two years. His wife preceded him to the grave but a few months.
His interest in education, and especially his attachment to the public-school system, was often avowed.
He was born and reared in the Quaker church, but in after years disavowed the religious principles of that body, and repudiated the Bible as an infallible book. In early manhood, he took an active part in the operations of the Colonization Society, but spun abandoned it, and henceforward gloried in being an "Abolitionist."
His gentleness of nature made him patient amid whatever reproach he encountered in this, as in other lines of thought and action; and it is claimed for him that whatever his and action; and it is claimed for him that, whatever his antipathy to the system of slavery, and his sympathy with the oppressed., be was always wonderfully lenient toward the slave-holder.
In his later years, he became much interested in "Spiritualism,'' and much of his time in his declining years was given to study of this, and he became a full believer in it, continuing in this faith unto the last of earth.

 

Source:  Historical Collections of Coshocton County Ohio 1764-1876
Author: William E Hunt, pub. 1876