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- Samuel Hopkins Nichols (August 7, 1829 – April 5, 1913) was a politician and civic leader in the states of Minnesota and Washington. He was a pioneer of Salem Township and Fergus Falls in Minnesota as well as of Everett, Washington. He was a Clerk in Salem Township and president of the Fergus Falls City Council, served as County Commissioner for Olmsted County, Minnesota, Assistant Clerk and Chief Clerk for the Minnesota House of Representatives, and Clerk of the state Supreme Court. In Everett, Nichols helped incorporate the city's first Chamber of Commerce and was a member of its first City Council. He was elected the fourth Secretary of State of Washington in 1901 and re-elected twice. He served at the position two full terms, but had to resign in the beginning of his third term due to accusations of malfeasance and corruption. Nichols came to Minnesota in 1855 as a farmer. Later, he filled a number of positions on town and county levels and was pronounced a political leader of the state. He was a pioneer and Clerk of the Salem Township, lived in Saint Paul for a period of time, and later became one of the Fergus Falls pioneers and a president of its City Council in 1874–1875. In 1862 and 1863, Nichols served as County Commissioner; in 1869, he became an Assistant Clerk for the Minnesota House of Representatives, and later served as its Chief Clerk for three terms. He was listed as a clerk in the US land office, and from 1872 to 1876 was District Court Clerk. Later, he was elected Otter Tail County Register of Deeds, although his win was followed by accusations of campaign fraud. In 1875, Nichols became Clerk of the state Supreme Court, and was re-elected twice, in 1878 and 1881. He also briefly engaged in banking and water navigation businesses in Minnesota. Nichols served in the Minnesota Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War, and played an active role in the suppression of the Dakota people's attacks during the Dakota War of 1862. Nichols moved to Washington State in 1891 and settled in Everett, becoming one of its pioneers. He took an active part in the city's development by occupying every office in the city. He also engaged in Everett's mining and real estate businesses. In 1892, Nichols assisted in the initiation of the city's first Chamber of Commerce and helped build its first building. After Everett's incorporation as a city in 1893, Nichols became a member of its first City Council. He lived and worked in Everett until he was elected the fourth Secretary of State of Washington for the 1901–1905 term. This position forced him to move to Olympia, where he became not only Secretary of State, but also Acting Governor for Governor McBride. Many saw Nichols as a future governor. He was re-elected as Secretary of State for the 1905–1909 term. Nichols also served as Commissioner for the State Insurance Department and the Bureau of Statistics, Agriculture and Immigration and was a member of the State Board of Equalization. Nichols was re-elected Secretary of State for a third term, but had to resign soon after his re-election due to accusations of corruption and malfeasance in the Insurance Department and charges pressed against his activity as Insurance Commissioner in 1905–1907. An investigation was carried out against Nichols and his Deputy Insurance Commissioner, J. H. Schively, for drawing money and overcharging state insurance companies for services the department never provided or provided poorly, as well as for not registering their earnings and expenses properly and violating state law on multiple occasions. Though Schively tried to shift the responsibility to Nichols, the latter denied his guilt. Soon after the investigation began, and under promise of immunity from prosecution, Nichols resigned from his official positions. Schively stayed at his position (Insurance Commissioner at the time) and was recommended for impeachment. At an extraordinary Legislature session called by Governor Hay, an impeachment trial for Schively was arranged, but he was eventually acquitted on all charges. He proceeded to work as Insurance Commissioner until the end of his term. After Nichols' resignation, he sold his property in Olympia and returned to Everett to live in retirement. (en)
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- Samuel Hopkins Nichols (August 7, 1829 – April 5, 1913) was a politician and civic leader in the states of Minnesota and Washington. He was a pioneer of Salem Township and Fergus Falls in Minnesota as well as of Everett, Washington. He was a Clerk in Salem Township and president of the Fergus Falls City Council, served as County Commissioner for Olmsted County, Minnesota, Assistant Clerk and Chief Clerk for the Minnesota House of Representatives, and Clerk of the state Supreme Court. In Everett, Nichols helped incorporate the city's first Chamber of Commerce and was a member of its first City Council. He was elected the fourth Secretary of State of Washington in 1901 and re-elected twice. He served at the position two full terms, but had to resign in the beginning of his third term due to (en)
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