John M. Nicodemus
John M. Nicodemus, undertaker, Mt. Sterling, was born September 24, 1838, in Pennsylvania. His parents were John Nicodemus (deceased) and Harriet Nicodemus. When about one year old, with them he was brought to Circleville, Pickaway County, this State, where they remained until he was eighteen years of age. From thence, with them, he went to Illinois, where he remained until the braking-out of the late civil war, and where his father died in 1862. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Ninth Illinois volunteer Infantry and served three months. In November, 1861, he again enlisted, this time in the Sixty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. With that regiment he participated in the engagements at Fort Henry, Fort donelson, the terrific battle of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Iuka and others. He was discharged in March, 1864, at which time he re-enlisted in the sixty-sixth Regiment, which now merged into th eIllinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry. He subsequently participated in many hotly-contested fields, a few of the important ones of which were Chattanooga, the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's grand march to the sea, also the surrender of the noted confederate chief–Joseph Johnston's army. He continued in the service until July, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge. In December, 1865, he married Miss Eliza L. Bostwick, a lady of merit, by whom he has two children–Howard L. and Maud S. In 1876, as a senior partner with F. C. Bostwick, he formed a copartnership, in the furniture and undertaker's business, at Mt. Sterling, under the firm title of J. M. Nicodemus & Co. The business was conducted under the above head until April, 1882, at which time Mr. bostwick withdrew. It is now under the entire control and management of our subject, who has dispensed with the furniture trade, and confined himself entirely to the undertaking. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. societies. For nine years he has served as Clerk of Pleasant Township with credit, and at this time is still serving, and for eight years has officiated as Mayor of Mt. Sterling.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]