Josephine R. Nichols

Josephine R. Nichols (, Davis; 1838–1897) was a popular American lecturer of the 19th-century, and a temperance reformer affiliated with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She was also a strong advocate of woman suffrage. Her most notable accomplishments were as superintendent of the exposition department of the National WCTU, where she worked for years, beginning in 1883. In 1885, the Indiana State WCTU made her its president, but she continued her practical work for the national society, extending and illustrating information about the aims of the cause.

She was educated at Maysville Academy, and the Science Hill Seminary, Cincinnati. She boarded in Mr. Rand's family and was brought up by them in the Methodist faith. She was a bright pupil and was what the other pupils called a "show scholar", for she was the one always brought out when there was a special engagement. She had confidence in her own abilities and was the envy of other pupils when she could get up in the courthouse, where the examinations were held and read an essay or make a declamation and not be frightened. A strong advocate of woman suffrage, she delivered several lectures in its favor. and drawn into the movement started by the WCTU, Nicols added to her list of lectures a number devoted to temperance. Among those were "Woman's Relations to Intemperance", "The Orphans of the Liquor Traffic", and others. The scientific aspects of the work received her special attention. A lecture on "Beer, Wine and Cider" was often called for, and proved so helpful that eventually, she consented to have the first part of it published by the WCTU. Temperance restaurants, temperance cafés, temperance bazaars, temperance news-stands, temperance drinks, temperance picture galleries, temperance banners and embellishments of all kinds became a special study with Nichols expert as teacher. With continuing ill health, she was compelled to resign the position of President of the Indiana State WCTU.

Personal life In her youth, she had joined the Methodist church, but while living in Paris, she joined the Protestant Episcopal church, and on coming to Indianapolis, became a member of Christ church, in which she remained until her death.

In 1888, she underwent a "remarkable" surgical operation. From this she recovered and continued her work. While in Paris, she casually met an eminent French surgeon, who, upon learning that Nichols was from the U.S. and from Indianapolis, said, "I read some time ago of a remarkable surgical operation that was performed in that city by a Dr. Harvey; it was a very wonderful operation". "Yes," said Mrs. Nichols, "and what is more strange, I am the very person upon whom the operation was made."