Donald W. Nicholson

Donald William Nicholson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts's 9th district
In office
November 18, 1947 – January 3, 1959
Preceded byCharles L. Gifford
Succeeded byHastings Keith
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
In office
1926 – 1947
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office
1925 – 1926
Personal details
Born(1888-08-11)August 11, 1888
Wareham, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 1968(1968-02-16) (aged 79)
Wareham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War I

Donald William Nicholson (August 11, 1888 – February 16, 1968) was an American politician from the state of Massachusetts.

Early life

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Born in Wareham, Massachusetts, Nicholson attended the public schools and took college extension courses. He first worked as a salesman before serving in the United States Army during World War I from 1917 to 1919. He served in the 236th Prisoner of War Escort Company Army Service Corps and rose to the rank of sergeant.

Career

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Returning to Massachusetts, he entered politics and served as selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor in Wareham from 1920 to 1925. He served as a delegate to all Republican state conventions from 1924 to 1947; served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1925 and 1926; as a member of the Massachusetts 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). Nicholson voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.[1]

Personal life

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Nicholson 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.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.
  2. ^ 1964 Chap. 0107. An Act Designating The Narrow Bridge, So Called, In The Town Of Wareham As The Donald W. Nicholson Bridge. State Library of Massachusetts.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts's 9th congressional district

November 18, 1947 – January 3, 1959
Succeeded by