William Francis Nichols (October 8, 1852November 15, 1917) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

businessman and politician. A long serving

justice of the peace A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer of a lower or ''puisne'' court, elected or appointed by means of a commission ( letters patent) to keep the peace. In past centuries the term commissioner of the peace was often used with the sa ...

, he was elected to the

Arizona Territorial Legislature The Arizona Territorial Legislature was the legislative body of Arizona Territory. It was a bicameral legislature consisting of a lower house, the House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Council. Created by the Arizona Organic Act, the le ...

and appointed to a four-year term as Secretary of Arizona Territory.

Biography

Nichols was born to William Nathaniel and Emily Louise (Haywood) Nichols on October 8, 1852 in

Sterling, Massachusetts Sterling is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 7,985 at the 2020 census. History Sterling was first settled by Europeans in 1720 and was officially incorporated in 1781. Previous to its incorporation it was "t ...

. The family moved to Michigan Bar, California in 1855. From there, they went to

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

before settling in

Oakland Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay A ...

. Nichols was educated in Oakland's public schools. Upon completing his formal education, Nichols went to work for his father and brother in the family's woodenware business. After moving to

Arizona Territory The Territory of Arizona (also known as Arizona Territory) was a territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863, until February 14, 1912, when the remaining extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of ...

in 1880, Nichols lived in Tombstone and

Charleston Charleston most commonly refers to: * Charleston, South Carolina * Charleston, West Virginia, the state capital * Charleston (dance) Charleston may also refer to: Places Australia * Charleston, South Australia Canada * Charleston, Newfoundlan ...

for about a year before settling in Willcox. There he went to work for the L. W. Blinn Lumber Company. Initially living in the company's Willcox office, Nichols purchased the company in 1888. In addition to lumber, Nichols developed interests in real estate and cattle ranching. Socially, Nichols was a

Mason Mason may refer to: Occupations * Mason, brick mason, or bricklayer, a craftsman who lays bricks to construct brickwork, or who lays any combination of stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or similar pieces * Stone mason, a craftsman in the stone-cut ...

who achieved the 32nd degree. He was also a member of the

Ancient Order of United Workmen The Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW) was a fraternal organization in the United States and Canada, providing mutual social and financial support after the American Civil War. It was the first of the "fraternal benefit societies", organizatio ...

. Nichols married Nora Minerva (Seeley) Butterfield on July 18, 1898. Becoming active in county level

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politics shortly after his arrival in Arizona, Nichols became a

by 1883. He held this position for eighteen years.He also served as a United States Courts commissioner for several years. Nichols was elected to represent

Cochise County Cochise County () is a county in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Arizona. It is named after the Native American chief Cochise. The population was 125,447 at the 2020 census. The county seat is Bisbee and the most populous city is ...

in the

13th Arizona Territorial Legislature The 13th Arizona Territorial Legislative Assembly was a session of the Arizona Territorial Legislature which began on January 12, 1885, in Prescott, Arizona. The session's accomplishments included allocation of a variety of territorial institution ...

. In April 1898, he became a member of the Live Stock Sanitary Board. Governor N. O. Murphy appointed Nichols Territorial Auditor in October 1901 and he took the oath of office on November 1. Governor

Alexander Oswald Brodie Alexander Oswald Brodie (November 13, 1849The date of Brodie's birth is uncertain with multiple dates in October and November 1849 being possible. – May 10, 1918) was an American military officer and engineer. Earning his initial reputation ...

nominated him for a second term as auditor on January 28, 1903. In early 1904, Governor Brodie recommended Nichols for the position of Territorial Secretary. President

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...

made the nomination on March 30, 1904. As secretary, Nichols became a leader in the fight against Arizona and New Mexico receiving joint statehood. Beyond that he is credited for the satisfactory performance of his duties and was widely respected. Unlike most of Arizona's secretaries, Nichols did not seek advancement to the position of governor. When Governor Brodie recommended Nichols to become his successor in 1908, Nichols declined to take the position. Nichols' given reason was that the territory would soon face a political battle over how mines were taxed and he was poorly suited to lead the fight. He also declined a second term as secretary and instead left office at the end of his term on April 1, 1908. Nichols and his wife moved to

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shortly after he left office. There she died on May 13, 1911. In 1914, Nichols' house burned down and he moved into his club instead of rebuilding. Nichols died in Los Angeles on November 15, 1917. He was cremated and his remains interred at Los Angeles' Rosedale Cemetery.

References

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Nichols, William Franc Arizona Territory officials 1852 births 1917 deaths Members of the Arizona Territorial Legislature People from Sterling, Massachusetts People from Willcox, Arizona Arizona Republicans California Republicans 19th-century American politicians