San Luis Obispo County Biographies

R. GEORGE BURRITT NICHOLS

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


R. GEORGE BURRITT NICHOLS, of San Luis Obispo city, was born in Augusta, Georgia, 
November 28, 1840. His parents were both from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and at the 
time of the civil war his father was a very wealthy man, having been in the saddlery 
business in Newark, New Jersey, a member of the firm of Smith & Wright, the firm 
later becoming Nichols, Sherman & Co. At the time of the Rebellion, however, he 
lost most of his fortune. At the age of twelve years George was taken to Burlington, 
New Jersey, and placed in the Burlington College at that place, one of the best 
educational institutions in the country, then conducted by the Right Rev. Bishop 
Doane. After pursuing his studies there for a time, he went to sea, and was before the 
mast for several years. In 1858 lie was in Europe, and traveled much with Robert 
Ballentine, a gentleman of intelligence and versed in the sciences. After his travel the 
Doctor commenced the study of medicine, entering the far-famed Bellevne College, 
New York city, then in charge of Prof. James R. Wood, where he remained three years, 
graduating June 23, 1871. During his study at the college, Dr. Nichols was for a time 
ambulance surgeon at the Bellevue Hospital, and from that office was transferred to 
the Park Hospital, the first sun-stroke hospital in New York, where he also received the 
appointment of house surgeon, a position of honor and requiring much knowledge and 
skill. In 1872 he came to California, and was engaged in the practice of his profession 
in Santa Barbara County for four years, and at the end of that time came to San Luis 
Obispo city, where he has since continued to reside. The Doctor makes a specialty of 
surgery in his practice, in which department he is eminently successful. His patronage 
throughout the county is large, and he is frequently called in consultation from distant 
points, in complicated and obscure cases. He is a man of many gifts, versatile in speech, 
universally popular throughout the county and wherever he has lived, and is at the 
present time a conspicuous figure in San Luis Obispo. 

Dr. Nichols, with Alf. Walker, was the original discoverer of gas in the county at the oil 
wells, and at the same time owned that property; he has since disposed of it to other
 parties. He is now largely interested in the bituminous rock enterprise, the mines of 
which, located near the Corral de Piedra, he discovered in company with Alfred Walker. 
The Doctor is one of the largest stockholders in the company, and takes an active part 
in the management of its affairs. He has held various offices of importance since he 
came to California, politically and otherwise. He has been a member of the City Council 
of San Luis Obispo, and was the last Mayor the city really had. Through his efforts in 
that office many of the city departments have been divided and re-arranged, greatly 
assisting the method of the city's business. The Doctor was the County Coroner during 
1888-'90, and while in Santa Barbara County was County Physician of the Third Township 
for a term of three years. In fraternal orders he is Warder in the Knight Templars, and 
King of San Luis Obispo Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; also Vice-Grand in the Odd Fellows 
lodge. 

Dr. Nichols was married in 1873 to Miss Emma Leland, and they have two sons. His 
residence, located near the Mission, is a handsome structure, surrounded by an 
attractive lawn and flowers. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.