My Genealogy Hound

JUDGE CHARLES D. NICHOLS, was born in Calhoun County, Mich., October 6, 1842. When but eight years of age his parents removed to Erie County, Penn., and soon after to what is now known as Brocton, Chautauqua County, N. Y. In 1855, at the age of thirteen years, his parents located near Waupun, in Dodge County, Wis. He received a liberal common school education, and at the outbreak of the rebellion, of 1861-65, was apprenticed to learn wagon and carriage making. When the first call for troops was made by President Lincoln, he identified himself with the Waupun Light Guards or Militia Company, which tendered their services to the Governor of Wisconsin. After acceptance they became Company D, of the Third Wisconsin Volunteers, with which company he remained until his discharge July 1, 1864, participating with them in many of the more important engagements of the rebellion. On his return from the army, ascertaining that his health had been so impaired by the exposures incident to the war, he determined to fit himself for a business life, and took a year’s preparatory course in, and afterward graduated from the Eastman National Business College at Chicago. In 1869, he came to Kansas with a view to location, and took a claim in Crawford County. In 1870, he moved to Columbus, where he now resides. Soon after locating at this point he became connected with the Workingman’s Journal, as local editor, and afterward as half owner and publisher. During this time he began the study of law under the tutorship of Amos Sanford, with the view of making the practice of law his profession. In 1872, having disposed of his interest in the Journal, he made a visit to his former home, and while there was appointed by the Governor Probate Judge of Cherokee County. Returning at once, he immediately entered upon the duties of his office, to which he was appointed three times in succession. The lead excitement breaking out meanwhile, he entered actively into the development of the mining interests of the county. In 1880, he received the appointment of Deputy Clerk of the county, which position he held until 1882, when he renewed a copartnership formed in 1879, and began the business of real estate and loan broker, as the junior member of the firm of Caldwell & Co. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and is at present Secretary of the R. A. Chapter in this city. In July, 1880, he was elected Colonel of the Second Regiment of the Border Tier Brigade, G. A. R. and Veterans. In January, 1883, he received an appointment on the staff of the Department Commander of the State G. A. R. Judge Nichols was married, in 1866, to Miss Georgie L. Nudd, of Waupun, Wis. They have one child, Elmer C. Nichols.