From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Nichols, Pleasant A.

(born: 1863) 

Born near Leesburg, KY, Pleasant A. Nichols was the son of William and Pliny Nichols. He taught for 14 years in Kentucky schools and was principal of Newport City Schools. In 1885 he became a preacher. Nichols contributed articles to many magazines and newspapers and owned and published The Negro Citizen, a weekly newspaper, in Paducah, KY. His editorials helped secure jobs for African Americans in the local hospital. He was married to Dovie Candaca Haddox, of Beattyville, KY, in 1887, and in 1916 became secretary at Wilberforce University. For more see Centennial Encyclopedia of the American Methodist Episcopal Church..., by Richard Allen and others (Philadelphia: 1816) [available online at the UNC Documenting the American South website].

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Harrison County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Campbell County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about McCracken County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Leesburg, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Newport, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Paducah, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Outside Kentucky Place Name

Item Relations

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Source: The Negro citizen (newspaper)
NKAA Entry: African American Schools in Campbell County, KY

Related Entries Citing this Entry

NKAA Entry: Robinson, Kathy Elise Conway
NKAA Entry: Hamilton, Richard Bertram

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Nichols, Pleasant A.,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed October 12, 2026, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/709.

Last modified: 2026-01-26 15:00:48