Samuel Hopkins Nichols (August 7, 1829 – April 5, 1913) was a politician and civic leader in the states of Minnesota and Washington.

Later, he was elected Otter Tail County Register of Deeds, although his win was followed by accusations of campaign fraud.

An investigation was carried out against Nichols and his Deputy Insurance Commissioner, J. H. Schively, for drawing money and overcharging state insurance companies for services the department never provided or provided poorly, as well as for not registering their earnings and expenses properly and violating state law on multiple occasions.

At an extraordinary Legislature session called by Governor Hay, an impeachment trial for Schively was arranged, but he was eventually acquitted on all charges.

Over 300 were found guilty of massacres and rape and sentenced to death, but due to President Lincoln's pardon, only 38 of them were eventually hanged.

"[7] In articles published after his death, Nichols was referred to as "a Republican leader in Minnesota,"[24][25] as during his time in that state he held a number of town and county positions.

[9] Not long after the Salem Township (previously known as Lexington) was established in 1858, Nichols became one of its first settlers and was elected town Clerk.

[28] Around 1871, Nichols moved to Fergus Falls, becoming one of its pioneers and an active participant in the events that made the town known as "political center."

Nichols' first engagement was a banking business with George Head, Chief Clerk of the Minnesota House of Representatives, from 1872 to1876.

They choose the location for their future bank and delivered lumber for the building, but didn't proceed with the construction, and the business was soon defunct.

"[32] By 1873, the Northern Pacific Railroad went through Otter Tail County and crossed the Red River about 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Fergus Falls.

[7][6][9] Though Nichols was registered as a Saint Paul citizen, he always called Fergus Falls his home, and ran for his official positions on the Otter Tail County ticket.

[7][40][6] In 1906, Nichols was an owner of the Snohomish County Coffin & Mallet mines, which were rich in lead, gold, and silver.

[7] At the time of his death, a Seattle Post-Intelligencer article reported that he served as chairman in the Republican State Central Committee for one year.

In 1904, as Acting Governor of Washington State, Nichols travelled to Seattle to attend the USS Nebraska ship launch.

[54][64][56] Around this time, rumors started to grow about certain "irregularities" in the division's past activity that involved both Nichols and Schively.

Wilson wanted to save Republican party from controversy, so when the rumors reached him during the 1908 electoral campaign, he didn't publish any detail.

However, as soon as the 1908 election was over, the Post-Intelligencer started to "stir the air with strong suggestions that the state insurance administration needed a going-over" and by the Legislature session of 1909 rumors had turned into official accusations.

[66][67][55][56][68][69] Washington State Senator W. H. Paulhamus insisted on the investigation of the Insurance Department and its officials and presented the resolution that contained all the charges against Nichols and Schively.

[62][70][63] According to the published details, the majority of transactions, agreements, or extortions were made by Schively in person, while Nichols was accused mainly of being in charge of the corrupt office and schemes, as well as of being one of the beneficiaries of the money.

"[62] W. H. Paulhamus' resolution demanded the establishment of a Joint Committee to investigate Nichols and Schively's activity during their 1905–1907 term.

It also lobbied to allow the Joint Committee to investigate any state official and any elected or appointed government office.

[4] He made statements that could have been seen as perjury, although later it was stated that he had a "failing memory" and didn't personally know things he was interrogated about, so he testified "to the best of his recollection" and "upon second hand information.

"[75] Promised immunity from prosecution[76][65] and taking the advice of friends,[77] Nichols announced his resignation on May 3, 1909, and voiced plans to retire in Everett.

[49] Governor Hay appointed Captain Ithomar M. Howell, previously Nichols' leading opponent in the Secretary of State election, as his successor.

[49] As the investigation proceeded, Schively still tried to avoid personal responsibility for the charges and continued stating that Nichols orchestrated the whole thing.

As the investigation against Nichols was dropped after his resignation, the committee made the conclusion of the report exclusively about Schively, specifically calling him "a corrupt and unworthy public official.

"[82] Governor Hay convened an extraordinary Legislature session to discuss further actions of either Schivley's impeachment or of the disembodiment of the whole Insurance Department.

[78][71][54][83][63] Schively worked as Insurance Commissioner until the end of his term, but he was never nominated for official position again and his political activity quickly diminished.

[7][6] After Nichols announced his resignation and retirement, he decided to leave Olympia and return to Everett, and build a home there.