Background
Nichol, Fred Joseph was born on March 19, 1912 in Sioux City, Iowa, United States. Son of Ralph Edwin and Florence (Young) Nichol.
judge lawyer officer politician
Nichol, Fred Joseph was born on March 19, 1912 in Sioux City, Iowa, United States. Son of Ralph Edwin and Florence (Young) Nichol.
Bachelor of Arts, Yankton College, 1933; Juris Doctor, U. South Dakot, 1936; honorary Doctor of Laws, Dakota Wesleyan University, 1975.
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Nichol received an Bachelor of Arts from Yankton College in 1933 and an Bachelor of Laws from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1936. From 1936 to 1938 he was an Assistant to the Administrative Assistant, United States. Senate, Washington, District of Columbia. He was in private practice in Mitchell, South Dakota, from 1938 to 1958, interrupted by service as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during World World War II, from 1943 to 1946. Nichol was a judge on the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of South Dakota from 1959 to 1965.
On May 18, 1965, Nichol was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota vacated by George T. Mickelson.
Confirmed by the United States Senate on June 9, 1965, Nichol received his commission on June 10, 1965, and served as chief judge from 1966 to 1980. He assumed senior status on June 11, 1980, and served in that capacity until his death on December 31, 1996.
Nichol was the presiding judge over the 1974 United States. District Court trial of American Institute of Management (American Indian Movement) members who had taken over the village of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, for 71 days in 1973.
Member school board and library board, Mitchell, 1958-1964. Delegate White House Conference on Aging, 1961. Secretary South Dakota delegation Democratic National Convention, 1956.
Member corporation board, also trustee Yankton College, from 1954. Served to lieutenant United States Naval Reserve, World World War World War II. Member American Bar Association, American Judicature Society, Phi Delta Phi.
Clubs: Elk, Mason (32 Shriner, K.T.), Rotarian.
Married Evelyn Parrish, June 2, 1939. Children: Allen H., Janet M.