The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, pages 531-532
William H. Nichols, Deputy Auditor of Hendricks County, Ind., was born near Danville, in Center Township, Hendricks County, Feb. 24, 1841. He is the second of four sons of Thomas and Martha (Hadley) Nichols. He had the advantage of obtaining only a common school education. His father being a carpenter he began to work at that trade when quite young but abandoned it before becoming of age. From the age of twenty to twenty-two years he worked in a printing office at Danville. He was then variously employed until June, 1863, when he enlisted as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Infantry, for six months, and served in Kentucky and Eastern Tennessee. The Colonel of his regiment was Thomas J. Brady of Star Route fame. After his discharge at the expiration of his term of service he returned to Danville and worked mostly at the carpenter's trade until April,1872, when he became Deputy Auditor under W.M. Hess, and served as such until April, 1875. He was then employed as bookkeeper in the bank of the Danville Banking Company until November, 1879, when, having been elected Auditor of Hendricks County, in November, 1878, for a term of four years, he assumed the duties of his office. On retiring from the office at the expiration of the term, he resumed contracting and building. In October, 1884, he was deputized County Auditor by County Auditor John Kendall. He was married to Miss Laura, daughter of the late Coleman C. Cash, of Danville, May 8, 1868, by whom he had one child--Jessie Pearl, who died at the age of nearly three years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Danville. He is a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 26, F. & A.M.; Danville Chapter, No. 46, R.A.M., and of Colestock Council, No. 26, R.S. & M., and of Jesse S. Ogden Post, No. 164, G.A.R. He has served as Secretary and Junior Warden of the lodge, High Priest in the chapter, Recorder of the council, and Sergeant Major of the post.