Donald W. Nicholson
Encyclopedia
Donald William Nicholson (August 11, 1888 – February 16, 1968) was a 20th century American politician from the state of Massachusetts
. Born in Wareham, Massachusetts
, he attended the public schools and took college extension courses. He first worked as a salesman, then during the First World War served overseas in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919. Returning to Massachusetts, he entered politics and served as selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor in Wareham, 1920-1925. He served as a delegate to all Republican state conventions from 1924 to 1947; served in the State House of Representatives in 1925 and 1926; as a member of the State senate from 1926 to 1947, and as president of the state senate
in 1946 and 1947. He was elected as a Republican to the Eightieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Charles L. Gifford
, and reelected to the five succeeding Congresses (November 18, 1947-January 3, 1959). He retired to his home in Wareham, remaining there until his death on February 16, 1968; he is buried in Center Cemetery.
In 1964 a bridge in Wareham was named after Nicholson.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Born in Wareham, Massachusetts
Wareham, Massachusetts
Wareham is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335, with an estimated 2008 population of 21,221....
, he attended the public schools and took college extension courses. He first worked as a salesman, then during the First World War served overseas in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919. Returning to Massachusetts, he entered politics and served as selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor in Wareham, 1920-1925. He served as a delegate to all Republican state conventions from 1924 to 1947; served in the State House of Representatives in 1925 and 1926; as a member of the State senate from 1926 to 1947, and as president of the state senate
President of the Massachusetts Senate
The President of the Massachusetts Senate is the presiding officer. In the United States Congress, the Vice President of the United States is the ex officio President of the United States Senate. In Massachusetts, however, the President of the Senate is elected from and by the Senators...
in 1946 and 1947. He was elected as a Republican to the Eightieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Charles L. Gifford
Charles L. Gifford
Charles Laceille Gifford was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. He was born in Cotuit on March 15, 1871. Gifford attended the common schools, and taught in Massachusetts and Connecticut from 1890 to 1900...
, and reelected to the five succeeding Congresses (November 18, 1947-January 3, 1959). He retired to his home in Wareham, remaining there until his death on February 16, 1968; he is buried in Center Cemetery.
In 1964 a bridge in Wareham was named after Nicholson.