Page 1489
NICOLL, BYRON WILLIAM, one of the highly esteemed veterans of the Civil War, living retired from active life, in the pleasant home in Springfield, Ill., which he owns at 921 South Fourteenth Street, was born in Granville, Ohio, January 19, 1840, a son of Robert L. and Clara (Brown) Nicoll, both natives of Underhill, Chittenden County, Vt., the former born in 1808 and the latter in 1818. Robert L. Nicoll was a stone cutter and carver, and came with his parents to Ohio in early days. His father was killed in the war of 1812. Robert L. came to Illinois in June, 1854, locating first in Cumberland County. Later he moved to Mattoon, Coles County, where he died in 1888. He and his wife had three children, one daughter and two sons.
The education of Byron W. Nicoll was acquired in the country schools of Licking County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm, and upon leaving school helped in the work of carrying on the farm. He came with his parents to Cumberland County, Ill., in 1854, and since 1892 has been a resident of Sangamon County. He had a very long record as a soldier of the Civil War and underwent many hardships and dangers, having many narrow escapes from capture and taking part in many hard-fought campaigns. He enlisted August 2, 1861, in company E, Thirty-Eighth Illinois Infantry, under Captain J. M. True, and served four years and seven months with this company, enlisting at Matoon, Coles County, and being mustered out in Victoria, Tex., in March 1866. Among the battles in which he participated were those of Knob Gap, Perryville (Ky.), Fredericktown (Mo.), Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign from Rossville to Jonesboro, Franklin (Tenn.), and Nashville. He proved his bravery and reliability and is reasonably proud of his record. He is a prominent member of Mendal Post G.A.R. Though Mr. Nicholl is a member of no religious denomination he endeavors to shape his actions in conformity with the Golden Rule, and has malice in his heart toward none, treating all mankind as brothers. He is a general favorite with his acquaintances, who enjoy his society and whose friendship and good-will he fully appreciates. In political affairs he is a Democrat.
Mr. Nicoll was married, December 4, 1873, at Vandalia, Ill., to Harriet A. Maxwell, born in Ohio, August 28, 1857, and one of the thirteen children born to James and Elizabeth Maxwell, the former born in Philadelphia, Pa., and the latter in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Mrs. Maxwell's youngest brother participated in the Civil War. Mr. Nicoll and his wife have no children.