Charles E. Nichols, a prominent lawyer and ex-Supervisor of Jefferson, Schoharie County, was born in this town, May 2, 1862, son of Hiram O. and Elizabeth (Totten) Nichols. His great-grandfather, Ezra Nichols, who was a pioneer in Delaware County, went there from Danbury, Conn., when the grandfather, Daniel Nichols, was eight years old. The latter became a prosperous farmer in Harpersfield. He had a family of nine children, namely: Laura; Fanny; Sally; Daniel S.; Ezra; Betsey, who became Mrs. Becker Clernen; Whitman; Hannah; and Hiram O., above named.
Hiram O. Nichols, father of Charles E., formerly carried on mercantile business in connection with farming. He is now retired. His wife, Elizabeth, is a daughter of John and Amanda (Davis) Totten, of Harpersfield. They have had three children: Charles E., the subject of this sketch; Orson, who died at the age of twenty-six years; and Rollo, who is a prosperous dairy farmer in Harpersfield, is an influential member of the Republican party, and served as a Justice of the Peace.
Charles E. Nichols was graduated from the Delaware Literary Institute, Franklin, in 1882, and for a time attended Hamilton College. His law studies were completed in Schoharie, and, having been admitted to the bar in 1885, he in August of the following year opened an office in Jefferson. The skilful and energetic handling of some of his first important cases was the means of gaining a numerous and profitable clientage, and he has become a well-known practitioner before the courts of Otsego, Delaware, Greene, Ulster, Albany, and Schoharie Counties. He has figured prominently in several hotly contested suits, one of which, an action brought by certain parties for the recovery of taxes, necessarily aroused the interest of the general public; and his able management of another notable case, which had its origin in a political dispute, resulted in a victory for the local Republican organization. As one of the most able and active supporters of that party he has rendered valuable committee service, has been a delegate to various conventions, including the one which nominated Governor Black, and was a candidate for District Attorney in 1888. While holding the office of Supervisor in 1892-93, he was chosen chairman of the equalization committee and a member of the committee that erected the new almshouse, was instrumental in securing an appropriation for the repair of the fort, and rooms of the Historical Society at Schoharie. He has held other positions of trust.
Mr. Nichols married Hattie A. Hubbell, daughter of Dr. Richtmyer Hubbell, of Jefferson. They have two children — Grace A. and Charles E., Jr.
Mr. Nichols is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity of Hamilton College, and has reached an advanced degree in the Masonic order, being a Past Master of the Blue Lodge, and the only resident of this town who belongs to the Commandery and the Mystic Shrine. His lucrative practice has enabled him to amass a competency; and besides holding considerable stock in the water company, of which he is a director, he owns some valuable real estate, including agricultural property and village lots. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.