William Edgar Nims, son of Alpheus and Melvina Nims, was born in Wisconsin on October 24, 1854. William moved with his family to Missouri at age four, on to Kansas at age seven, Iowa at age nine, and returned to Gilmonton, Wisconsin at age 16.
Fannie Annetta Hulbert, daughter of H. A. Hulbert and Mary Jane Hulbert, was born November 12, 1860 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. William and Fannie were married, and in 1875, were living in the township of Dover (near Gilmonton) in Wisconsin. In 1877, William and Fannie, with their young family, left Wisconsin in a horse-drawn boat on wheels. They spent the winter in Iowa, then changed to an oxen-drawn wagon to emigrate to California. In 1879, they took a freight boat to Seattle, and settled in the Lake Union district. William and his family then moved to Bellingham in 1881, but returned to Seattle when William got a job in a barrel factory. (From personal knowledge of Fred Nims). In 1889, the family moved to a farm east of Sumas and remained there until 1912. The family then moved to Shaw Island, which had a boat landing, store, post office, and telephone central. In 1920, William and Fanny were living at 1127 16th Street in Bellingham, along with their daughter Mae Garland. Later they moved to property on the Mt. Baker highway, where they lived out their later lives.
Fannie recalled how the indians would hold war dances in their yard, and how she and William took turns sleeping, so the other could watch the indians. She also recalled that an indian had once killed the owner of a nearby store, set fire to his tent, and stole an arm-load of supplies. The neighbors caught up with him and hung him from the nearest tree.
Late in life, William was struck by a car. His health failed him quite rapidly afterwards. He died February 18, 1928 at age 73. Fannie lived to age 86, and died March 8, 1947.
(Information from census: 1875 Dover, Wisconsin, 1920 Prarie, Whatcom Co, WA, and 1920 Bellingham, WA. Also William and Fannie's marriage certificate.)
William and Fannie had the following children:
| Leon Lewis Nims | Born in 1876 |
| Gladys (Dolly) Nims | Born in 1877 |
| Fred Victor Nims | Born in 1880 |
| Mae Maud "Mamie" Nims | Born in 1881 |
| Ernest William Nims | Born in 1887 |
| Ida Evelyn Nims | Born in 1889 |
| Evelyn Pearl Nims | Born in 1894 |
| Paul Everett Nims | Born in 1894 |