Frank William Nicholas was born at West Carrollton, Montgomery County, Ohio on November 12, 1898, the son of Francis Marion and Ellen Loy Nicholas. He attended the public schools of West Carrollton, graduating from the high school in 1916. He enlisted and served with the United States Marine Corps in World War I. In 1921 he entered Ohio State University from which he graduated in 1927 with the degrees of A. B. and L. L. B. He then began the practice of law in Dayton, which continued until July 1, 1935, at which time he was appointed judge in the civil division of the Municipal Court of the City of Dayton. He continued in this office until January 1, 1941, when he became a judge of the Common Pleas Court of Montgomery County, Ohio, in the Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile. He served continuously in that office until his retirement in 1971, and by assignment thereafter until about a year ago.
On June 21, 1930, he was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Bullock of New Lexington, Ohio. One child was born to this marriage.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dayton for many years, where he served as a deacon, as a member of the endowment committee, and as chairman of the executive committee.
He served as secretary and as president of the Downtown Lions Club, a member of Post No. 89 of the American Legion, member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. President of the Dayton “Y” Athletic Club, president of the Juvenile Judges’ Association of Ohio, and a member of the executive committee of the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges. He served as a member of the board of directors of the Montgomery County Humane Society. He was a member of the Montgomery County Child Welfare Board, the Dayton and Montgomery County Child Guidance Center Board. A member of the advisory council of judges for the National Probation and Parole Association, and of the advisory council to the Division of Juvenile Research, Classification and Training of the Department of Mental Hygiene and Correction of the State of Ohio. He was also a member of the Dayton Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. He took an active part in a great variety of civic matters during his lifetime.
He was mode a Master Mason in Conservancy Lodge No. 661, F. & A. M. of Dayton, Ohio on March 14, 1935. He served in the various stations and places in the line of officers of Conservancy lodge from the time of his appointment as Chaplain in 1935 until he finished his term as Master of Conservancy lodge in November of 1942. In 1944 he was chosen to serve as the first Worshipful Master of Riverview Lodge No. 717.
He was mode a Royal Arch Mason in Victory Chapter No. 210 in Dayton on March 5, 1937.
He received the Degrees in Reese Council No.9 at Dayton on March 6, 1937 and in Reed Commandery No.6 at Dayton on January 25, 1944.
He became a member of each of the Bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Dayton at the April Reunion in 1935. He was subsequently appointed in the line of officers in Gabriel Lodge of Perfection and, after having spent fifteen years in the various positions as on officer, he concluded that service in May of 1953 by finishing his elected term as the Thrice Potent Master. He served for many years as a Trustee of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Dayton.
He was crowned on honorary member of the Supreme Council 33° at Chicago, Illinois, September 23, 1949.
In October of 1946 he was appointed by M. W. Brother William W. Carlton, Grand Master, to serve as District Deputy Grand Master of the Second Masonic District of Ohio and served in that capacity for two years. In October of 1948 he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio by M. W. Brother l. Todd McKinney, Grand Master. He was appointed Senior Grand Deacon in 1949, Grand Marshal in 1950, and Grand Orator in 1951. Elected Junior Grand Warden in 1952, Senior Grand Warden in 1953, Deputy Grand Master in 1954, and in October, 1955, he was elected and installed Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Ohio, at Columbus, Ohio.
He served the Grand Lodge of Ohio for many years as Trial Commissioner-in-Chief and as Chairman of the Grievance Committee.
M. W. Brother Nicholas departed this life on September 15, 1979 in Xenia, Ohio following several months of failing health. Religious services were held on September 19, 1979 at the First Baptist Church, Dayton, with interment in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton.