[2] In addition to his newspaper work, Nichols was a lawyer and Collector of Internal Revenue.

Nichols' mayoralty saw the creation of two dozen new schools, 197 new streets, and the start of construction on the Sumner Tunnel.

He focused on increasing Boston's municipal services, providing $3 million in raises to city workers.

[6][13] Nichols was unable to run for reelection in November 1929 due to a ban on consecutive terms at the time.

Nichols died of a heart attack, in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, on February 7, 1951.

He was interred in Forest Hills Cemetery in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston.