David H. Nichols

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David H. Nichols was Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 1893 to 1895. He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War. Nichols was born in Hardwick, Vermont in 1826. He resided in Colorado 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, Nichols was elected to the Territorial Legislature, and was forced to give up his position as Sheriff. He served two non-consecutive terms in the Legislature and was instrumental in bringing the University of Colorado to Boulder.

He served as Lieutenant Governor from 1893-1895 and was a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Colorado State Penitentiary for 19 years. Nichols died at his home near Boulder, Colorado on the night of December 17, 1900.

[edit] References

Obituary Notes,New York Times, December 18, 1900, Page 9.