Hon. A. M. Nichols, a foremost business man of Newcastle, where he is engaged in general merchandising and is also prominently known as the president of the Newcastle National Bank, was born in Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa, on the 9th of August, 1871, a son of Melvin and Almeda (Cooper) Nichols, both of whom are natives of Illinois, where they were reared and married. Soon afterward they removed to Iowa, settling in Mitchell county, and afterward they became residents of Audubon county, that state, there remaining until April, 1887, when they came to Wyoming, settling at Douglas. Two years afterward they established their home in Sundance and Mr. Nichols, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, has continued to make his home in Sundance to the present time. Four years after he became a resident of that city he resigned from the ministry and for the past quarter of a century has practiced law.
    A. M. Nichols was educated in the high school of Audubon. Iowa, returning to that state in order to complete his education. He later took up newspaper work on the Audubon Times and subsequently came to the west for his employers, to work on the Rowdy West, which they established in Douglas, Wyoming. Two years afterward Mr. Nichols joined the force of the Sundance Gazette, with which publication he was identified for three years, and in 1892 he removed to Newcastle, where he purchased an interest in the News-Journal and was identified with the conduct of that paper until 1898. He then took up a homestead in Weston county, which he occupied and cultivated for three years, on the expiration of which period he again became a resident of the city. In 1900 he founded his present mercantile business. which he has developed into one of the most important commercial enterprises of Wyoming. He has a large and splendidly appointed store, carries an extensive line of goods and his patronage has steadily increased. He still retains his ranching interests and in partnership with F. W. Mondell, member of congress, owns the Oil Creek ranch, on which they are extensively engaged in the raising of cattle. Since 1900 Mr. Nichols and Mr. Mondell have been associated in their business operations and for some years were active in the field of railroad construction work. In 1917 Mr. Nichols became the dominant factor in the organization of the Newcastle National Bank, of which he was made president, and already the institution has become one of the strong financial concerns of this section of the state. Its business policy is a substantial one and will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, while the experience of the men at the head of the bank augurs well for its future.
    On the 24th of December, 1891, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Orpha Ogden, a daughter of the Rev. David Ogden, who was one of the first preachers to enter the Black Hills. To Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have been born four children, three of whom are living: Lloyd A., who is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University and a licensed embalmer and who is the vice president of the A. M. Nichols Supply Company: Dwight O., who is now in the Reserve Officers training camp at Lincoln, Nebraska : and Glen L., who is attending the Newcastle high school.
    In politics Mr. Nichols is a republican and that he is a prominent and influential resident of his city is indicated in the fact that he is the present mayor of Newcastle and in 1899-1900 he served as a member of the board of county commissioners. He was elected to represent his district in the state legislature at the fall election of 1908 and served throughout the tenth general assembly, during which time he became widely known as the author of the high license bill. He was connected with much other constructive legislation and at all times stood for progress and improvement in affairs having to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the commonwealth. Fraternally he is connected with Newcastle Lodge, No. 13. A. F. & A. M.. and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Cheyenne Consistory. No. 1. A. & A. S. R.' He is likewise identified with Kalif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sheridan, and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Nichols is also connected with Pythagoras Lodge, No. 15, K. P.. of Newcastle, and with several minor organizations. He is a member of the Newcastle Commercial Club and is in hearty sympathy with all of its well defined plans and measures to advance the upbuilding of the city and extend its trade relations. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and sterling worth of character has gained Mr. Nichols a foremost position in the regard of his fellow townsmen, while indefatigable enterprise, keen sagacity and sound business judgement have placed him in the front ranks in commercial and financial circles of Weston county.