John Gregg Nichols (December 29, 1812 – January 22, 1898) was an American businessman, builder, and politician.

John G. Nichols
3rd Mayor of Los Angeles
In office
May 4, 1852 – May 3, 1853
Preceded byBenjamin Davis Wilson
Succeeded byAntonio F. Coronel
In office
October 4, 1856 – May 9, 1859
Preceded byManuel Requena (acting)
Succeeded byDamien Marchesseault
Personal details
Born
John Gregg Nichols

December 29, 1812
Canandaigua, New York
DiedJanuary 22, 1898 (1898-01-23) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California
SpouseFlorida Cox
OccupationSheriff, politician, businessman, builder

Early life

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Nichols was born on December 29, 1812, in Canandaigua, New York.[1] His father, William Nicholas, was a Scottish immigrant.[1]

Career

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Nichols served as the sheriff of Jackson County, Iowa, for two terms in the 1840s.[1]

He made the trip to California in 1849, arriving in San Bernardino on December 31, 1849.[1] He served as the third Mayor of Los Angeles from 1852 to 1853 and again from 1856 to 1859.[2]

Personal life

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Nichols married Florida Cox.[1] They lived in the first brick house to be built in Los Angeles, California. Their son was the first American to be born in the city, and he was the first mayor to expand the city.

On January 22, 1898, Nichols died in Los Angeles, California.[2] He was buried at the Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Nichols Canyon was named in his honor.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Henry Dwight Barrows, Pioneers of Los Angeles: Ex-Mayor John G. Nichols, Annual Publication of the Historical Society of Southern California and Pioneer Register, Los Angeles, Vol. 4, No. 2, 1898, pp. 176-179
  2. ^ a b John G. Nichols Dead, San Francisco Call, January 25, 1898