Who is Nicholas Higgins from North and South and what is their importance?

Nicholas Higgins is Bessy and Mary's father. He is an important member of the worker's union and heavily involved in the strike. During the novel, Nicholas goes through two tragedies that bring him closer to the Hale family. First, Bessy dies from consumption and then his friend, Boucher, commits suicide, a death he blames on himself. Amid the tragedy, Nicholas shows his human side and takes the Boucher children into his care.