David H. Nichols
Encyclopedia
David Hopkinson Nichols (1826-December 17, 1900) was the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, United States, serving from 1893 to 1895 under Davis Hanson Waite.
Nichols was born in Hardwick, Vermont
in 1826. He served in the Mexican–American War
and later moved to Colorado
, living there beginning in 1859. He was elected sheriff
of Boulder
in 1863, but absented himself from office in order to take a captain's commission with the Third Colorado Volunteer Cavalry, called upon by Territorial Governor John Evans
in 1864 to suppress Indian uprisings. In his capacity as Captain of Company D, Nichols participated in the infamous Sand Creek Massacre
on November 29, 1864.
Following his return to Boulder, Nichols was elected to the territorial Legislature
and gave up his position as Sheriff. He served two non-consecutive terms in the Legislature. A member of Columbia Lodge #14 he and his masonic brothers were instrumental in bringing the University of Colorado
to Boulder.
Nichols served as lieutenant governor of Colorado from 1893 to 1895 and was a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Colorado State Penitentiary
for 19 years. Nichols died at his home near Boulder
on the night of December 17, 1900.
Nichols was born in Hardwick, Vermont
Hardwick, Vermont
Hardwick is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,174 at the 2000 census.It contains the incorporated village of Hardwick and the unincorporated villages of East Hardwick and Mackville...
in 1826. He served in the Mexican–American War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
and later moved to Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, living there beginning in 1859. He was elected sheriff
Sheriffs in the United States
In the United States, a sheriff is a county official and is typically the top law enforcement officer of a county. Historically, the sheriff was also commander of the militia in that county. Distinctive to law enforcement in the United States, sheriffs are usually elected. The political election of...
of Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
in 1863, but absented himself from office in order to take a captain's commission with the Third Colorado Volunteer Cavalry, called upon by Territorial Governor John Evans
John Evans (governor)
John Evans was a U.S. politician, physician, railroad promoter, Governor of the Territory of Colorado, and namesake of Evanston, Illinois; Evans, Colorado; and Mount Evans, Colorado...
in 1864 to suppress Indian uprisings. In his capacity as Captain of Company D, Nichols participated in the infamous Sand Creek Massacre
Sand Creek Massacre
As conflict between Indians and white settlers and soldiers in Colorado continued, many of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, including bands under Cheyenne chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope, were resigned to negotiate peace. The chiefs had sought to maintain peace in spite of pressures from whites...
on November 29, 1864.
Following his return to Boulder, Nichols was elected to the territorial Legislature
Colorado General Assembly
The Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature of the State of Colorado.-Constitutional definition:The Colorado Constitution establishes a system of government based on the separation of powers doctrine with power divided among three "departments": executive, legislative and judicial...
and gave up his position as Sheriff. He served two non-consecutive terms in the Legislature. A member of Columbia Lodge #14 he and his masonic brothers were instrumental in bringing the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
to Boulder.
Nichols served as lieutenant governor of Colorado from 1893 to 1895 and was a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Colorado State Penitentiary
Colorado State Penitentiary
Colorado State Penitentiary also known as "CSP" is a maximum security prison and is one of 25 prisons in the Colorado Department of Corrections system. CSP is located in Cañon City, Colorado. CSP houses Colorado's most dangerous, most violent and the most disruptive prisoners...
for 19 years. Nichols died at his home near Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
on the night of December 17, 1900.