George Nichols (American politician)

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George Nichols, Vermont Secretary of State and Norwich University president.

George Nichols (April 17, 1827—April 28, 1907) was a Vermont physician, politician, and educator. He was a Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, and served as Secretary of State of Vermont and acting president of Norwich University.

Biography[]

George Nichols was born in Northfield, Vermont on April 17, 1827.[1] He was educated in Northfield, attended Newbury Seminary, and taught school beginning at age 15.[2] He then studied medicine in Northfield with Dr. Samuel W. Thayer Jr., after which he attended Vermont Medical College in Woodstock.[1][3] After graduating in 1851, Nichols practiced in Northfield, in addition to owning and operating a drugstore.[1] From 1848 to 1853, Nichols served as Vermont's state librarian.[1]

In 1862, Nichols joined the Union Army for the American Civil War.[1] As the regimental surgeon for the 13th Vermont Infantry, his service included participation in the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was in charge of a field hospital for the I Corps.[1] After the war, Nichols resumed practicing medicine and operating his drug store.[1] Nichols also served in local offices, including town meeting moderator.[2]

A Republican in politics, in 1865, Nichols became Vermont's Secretary of State; he held the position until 1884.[1] In 1870, he was president of the state constitutional convention that changed terms for Vermont's state offices from one year to two.[1] Republicans won every statewide election for more than 100 years beginning with the party's founding in the mid-1850s; in addition to serving as the state party's secretary, Nichols ran its statewide campaigns in 1872, 1876 and 1880.[1][2] He also served as Vermont's member of the Republican National Committee, and was a delegate to the 1872 Republican National Convention.[1]

Nichols was active in several other business ventures, including clerk and treasurer of the Vermont and Canada Railroad, and president of the Northfield National Bank.[1] He was also a trustee of the Northfield Institution; when it was reorganized as the Northfield Graded and High School, he served as a member of the school board.[1] Nichols served on the Norwich University board of trustees, and was the college's treasurer from 1866 to 1878.[1][3] In 1881, he received the honorary degree of LL.D.[1][3] He was a Norwich vice president from 1885 to 1895, and served as acting president.[1][3]

Death and burial[]

Nichols died in Northfield on April 28, 1907.[1] He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Northfield.[4]

Family[]

In 1852, Nichols married Ellen Maria Blake of Vergennes.[1][3] They were the parents of two children, both of whom died in infancy.[1][3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography.
  2. ^ a b c Centennial Proceedings.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Norwich University, 1819-1911.
  4. ^ "Northfield: Funeral Services".

Sources[]

Books[]

  • Ellis, William Arba (1911). Norwich University, 1819-1911: Her History, Her Graduates, Her Roll of Honor. Vol. 3. Montpelier, VT: Capital City Press. pp. 58–60.
  • Gregory, John (1878). Centennial Proceedings and Historical Incidents of the Early Settlers of Northfield, VT. Montpelier, VT: Argus and Patriot Book and Job Printing House. pp. 92=93.
  • White, James T. (1922). The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. 18. New York, NY: James T. White & Company. p. 327.

Newspapers[]

Political offices
Preceded by Vermont Secretary of State
1865–1884 		Succeeded by
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