My Genealogy Hound

Judge R. W. Nicholls is an attorney at law of Helena, Ark., and his name is identified with his professional standing, the welfare and material and social happiness of Phillips County. He was born in the Parish of Assumption, La., December 9, 1849, and on his father’s side is descended from an old English family of note, and inherits French blood from his mother. The paternal grandfather, Thomas C. Nicholls, was judge of a district court in Louisiana, and upon his death was succeeded by his son, R. W. (the father of our subject), who held the office until his death, at the untimely age of thirty-five years, having discharged his duties in a manner highly satisfactory to all. He was a lieutenant in the Mexican War and was aid-de-camp for Gen. Taylor. An old trunk which he carried through this engagement is in possession of his son, Judge R. W. Nicholls, and has his name engraved upon it. He was a brother of the present Gov. Nicholls, of Louisiana, who is the only one of the seven sons living, and, in fact, is the only member of his father’s family who survives. R. W. was married to Miss J. M. Phillips, and by her reared one son, Judge R. W. Nicholls. The youthful days of the latter were spent in his native State, a part of his time being spent on his father’s plantation and the rest of the time in the city of New Orleans, where he acquired a good common-school education, which he subsequently improved by attendance at the State University at Alexandria, where he graduated in 1869. In 1870 he came to Helena, Ark., and began the study of law, and in December of the following year was admitted to the bar. He at once entered upon a career of distinction and success, business coming to him unsolicited, and his strong, good sense, his knowledge of human nature, his calm conservatism and his genuine legal ability were soon perceived, and he gained the general confidence of the people, so much so that, in 1876, he was elected city attorney, and in 1879 was chosen mayor of Helena, and this position held by re-election until 1882. Since that time he has been county and probate judge, and selfish and personal considerations have been laid aside when the question of duty has been presented. Every enterprise of a public nature finds in him a warm advocate, and his opinion is sought and his counsel heeded, in nearly every question of a public nature, as well as on private matters. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Janie McAlpine, a native of Mississippi, and by her he has a family of three children: Winifred, George and Robert W., Jr. The Judge belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor and the Royal Arcanum. He is a grand-nephew of the famous poet, Rodman Drake, the author of “Culprit Fay.”