John A. Nicholson

This article is about the lawyer and politician from mid nineteenth century Delaware, for others see John Nicholson (disambiguation).

John Anthony Nicholson (November 17, 1827 – November 4, 1906) was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

John A. Nicholson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large district
In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1869
Preceded by	Nathaniel B. Smithers
Succeeded by	Benjamin T. Biggs
Personal details
Born	(1827-11-17)November 17, 1827 Laurel, Delaware
Died	November 4, 1906(1906-11-04) (aged 78) Dover, Delaware
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Angelica Killeen Reed
Residence(s)	Dover, Delaware
Alma mater	Dickinson College
Profession	Lawyer

Early life and family

He was born in Laurel, Delaware, and was the son of Jacob Cannon Nicholson and Susannah Fauntleroy Nicholson. He began preparatory studies in Laurel, completing them at a seminary in Nelson County, Virginia, possibly the Presbyterian school at Lynchburg. After four years study, in 1847 he graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He married Angelica Killeen Reed in August 1848 and John Reed Nicholson was one of their children.

Professional and political career

Nicholson began his career as briefly the superintendent of the free schools of Kent County in 1851. At the same time he studied law with Martin W. Bates in Dover, was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1850, and began a law practice in Dover. In addition he served as brigadier general of militia in Kent County in 1861. In 1864 he defeated the Republican and Ultimate Unionist candidate Nathaniel B. Smithers, another Dickinson graduate, and was ultimately elected as a Democrat to the 39th and 40th Congress, serving from March 4, 1865, to March 3, 1869. During the first term he was on the Committee of Elections and in the second the Appropriations Committee. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1868 and continued his practice of the law.

Death and legacy

Nicholson died at Dover and is buried there in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery, on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum. His son, John Reed Nicholson, was the chancellor of Delaware between 1895 and 1909.

His home, Wheel of Fortune, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

Public offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	notes
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	March 4, 1865	March 3, 1869

United States Congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1865–1867	39th	U.S. House	Republican	Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson		at-large
1867–1869	40th	U.S. House	Republican	Andrew Johnson		at-large

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	votes	%		Opponent	Party	votes	%
1864	U.S. Representative		John A. Nicholson	Democratic	8,762	52%		Nathaniel B. Smithers	Republican	8,253	49%
1866	U.S. Representative		John A. Nicholson	Democratic	9,933	54%		John L. McKim	Republican	8,553	46%

References

• Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress, the House of Representatives 1789-1900. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware’s Members of Congress
• John A. Nicholson at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
• Biography at Dickinson.edu