Peter Flood Collection
Biography
Northfield
Hon. GEORGE NICHOLS
Son of James and Annie A. Nichols, was born in Northfield, April 17, 1827. Me married Ellen Maria, daughter Of Abjijah and Maria B. Blake, of Vergennes, April 8, 1852. Mrs. Nichols was born in New Haven, April 1, 1832. To them were born Alice Margaret in 1853, and a son in 1858, both of whom died in infancy.
Dr. Nichols was educated at the common school and Newbury Seminary, fitted for College, but never entered, having determined to study medicine, and could not see the way clear pecuniarily to pursue both courses. He commenced teaching school previous to his fifteenth birthday. In 1848 he was appointed State Librarian by Governor Coolidge, and received successive annual elections till 1853. He studied medicine with Dr. S.W. Thayer, graduated at the Vermont Medical College at Woodstock in 1851, commenced business in his native Town, combining with it that of Apothecary and Druggist in 1854, which latter business he still retains, and continued in the practice of his profession with eminent success till his return from the army in 1863, having served as surgeon of the Thirteenth Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Militia, in the war of the rebellion. In 1865 he was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Smith, which office he has since continuously held. In 1870 he was a member and President of the Constitutional Convention. In 1872 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and made a member of the National Republican Committee, and has been a member and Secretary of the Republican State Committee since that year. In 1868 he was elected Director, and in 1874 President, of the Northfield National Bank. In 1872 he was chairman of the Board of Commissioners to receive subscriptions to the capitol stock of the Central Vermont Railroad Company, and has been clerk of the same since its organization.
Doctor Nichols has been repeatedly honored in elections to the various municipal offices of trust and responsibility, and, what may be worthy of mention, with the exceptions of 1856-58-59-63 and 66, has been Moderator of the annual town meetings since 1854.
Source: John Gregory, Northfield's First Century: Centennial Proceedings and Historical Incidents Of the Early Settlers of Northfield, VT., with Biographical Sketches of Prominent Businessmen Who have been and are now residents of the town, (Argus and Patriot Book and Job Printing House, Montpelier, Vt., 1878), pp. 92-94.
