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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE STATE
Earliest Records--The earliest records of Nebraska are the rocks and the soil. These indicate that this part of the planet has at times been the bottom of a sea and at other times has been elevated above the water; that at one time the region had a climate of tropical warmth and at a later time was covered in part by a thick sheet of ice. The remains of former plants and animals which testify to these conditions are abundant within the state.
Prehistoric People.--Recent investigations indicate the presence of prehistoric men in Nebraska at a period several hundred, perhaps thousands of years ago. The remains and implements of these people have been found at many places along the Missouri river and in the Bad Lands. Study of these remains now being carried on promises in the near future a far greater knowledge of these people than we now possess.
The Nebraska Indians.--The Otoe, Omaha, Ponca, Pawnee, Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes of Indians were found in Nebraska by the first explorers. These numbered altogether about 40,000 people who lived chiefly by hunting, partly by primitive agriculture. War was the normal condition existing between these tribes. The traditions of these Indians indicate that they had migrated to the Nebraska region within a few hundred years of the time they were found by the first explorers.
The First White Men.--Francisco Vasquez Coronado and his party of thirty Spanish cavalry were the first white men to visit this region. Their visit was in the summer of 1541. French fur traders and trappers began to venture up the Missouri river about the year 1700. In 1739 the Mallet brothers, with a party of eight Frenchmen, named the Platte river and traveled nearly the entire length of the state on a journey from the Missouri river to Santa Fe. They were followed by many other French fur traders during the next sixty years.
Struggle for Possession of Nebraska.--Spain, Prance and England all claimed the Nebraska region at different times, basing their claims upon discoveries and explorations. In 1763, at the close of the Seven years' war, France ceded all her claims east of the Mississippi river to England and west of the Mississippi to Spain. Nebraska was thus a part of the Spanish province of Louisiana from 1763 until 1801, when Napoleon bought back the region from Spain and in 1803 sold the entire region to the United States.
Early American Exploration.--Lewis and Clark were the commanders of the first American expedition to visit Nebraska, in the years 1804-1806. In the year 1811 the Hunt party of Astorians skirted the Nebraska shores on their way to Oregon and in 1813 seven of the
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party crossed the mountains and followed the North Platte down to its junction with the Missouri. In 1819 Major Long with a party of twenty men traveled from the Missouri river up the Platte to the head waters of its south fork near Denver. During the years 1807-1820 Manuel Lisa, of Spanish descent, but a citizen of the United States, became the leading fur trader and explorer of the Nebraska region.The First Military Post.--Fort Atkinson was established in the years 1819 and 1820 and abandoned in 1827. It was upon the site of the present village of Fort Calhoun in Washington county, 16 miles above Omaha. It had a population of over 1,000 people and was the site of the first school, the first library, the first brick-yard, the first saw-mill, the first grist-mill and the first extensive farming by white men within the state.
The Early Missionaries.--Moses Merrill and his wife, Eliza Wilcox, were the first missionaries to the Nebraska Indians. They arrived in Bellevue in 1833 and continued their work as missionaries and teachers until Mr. Merrill died in 1840. Rev. Samuel Allis and John Dunbar arrived at Bellevue in 1834 and continued as missionaries to the Pawnee tribe for the next twelve years. Father DeSmet, a Catholic missionary, first came to Nebraska in 1838 and for the next thirty-five years gave his services to the Indians west of the Missouri river.
The Overland Trails.--On April 10, 1830, Sublette and Jackson, with ten wagons and one milch cow, started from St. Louis for the Wind River mountains in Wyoming and returned in the fall. In 1832 Nathaniel I. Wyeth went over the same road to Oregon. Their route was up the valley of the Little Blue and Platte rivers and made the beginning of the Overland trail, which for the next forty years was the greatest wagon road the world has ever seen. Other trails across Nebraska were the California trail, starting from Bellevue or Omaha and traveling up the north bank of the Platte; the Denver trail from the Missouri river to Denver and the "steam wagon road" or Nebraska city cut-off, from Nebraska City up the West Blue to the Platte and on to Denver. These trails were traveled by thousands of wagons every year until the construction of the Pacific railroads.
Steamboats on the Missouri.--The Western Engineer, which brought Major Long's party on its exploring expedition in September, 1819, was the first steam vessel to navigate Nebraska waters. Other steamboats took part in the Aricara expedition in 1823. In 1832 the steamboat Yellowstone began the first regular annual fur trading voyages up the Missouri river, stopping at points on the Nebraska coast. From 1850 to 1860 steamboat navigation along the Nebraska shores was at its height, forty or fifty different steamboats being in the Missouri river trade. With the construction of railroads the steamboat business rapidly fell off until now only a few ferry-boats and one or two steamboats a year navigate the Missouri along the Nebraska shores.
Conditions in Nebraska from 1830 to 1854.--Frontier conditions of the most rugged nature ruled in Nebraska between these years. A
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few steamboats plied the Missouri river between St. Louis and the head of navigation. The overland trails from the Missouri river to the mountains and Pacific coast were traveled, by caravans of emigrants and freighting wagons each summer. A little group of Christian missionaries and teachers were laboring among the Nebraska Indians. A few white fur traders and buffalo hunters followed the streams and crossed the prairies. Fort Kearney, on the Platte river, opposite the present city of Kearney and Bellevue, on the Missouri river, were the only two white settlements of any size within the present state. The dominant figures in the Nebraska landscape were the buffalo, the coyote, the prairie dog and the Indian.Beginning of Political Government.--The Nebraska region was part of the territory of Indiana from October 1, 1804, to July 4, 1805. From July 4, 1805, to December 7, 1812, it was part of the territory of Louisiana with its capital at St. Louis. It then became a part of the territory of Missouri until the year 1821 when Missouri was made a state and Nebraska became a part of the unorganized region commonly called the "Indian country." By the act of June 30, 1834, ,congress defined the boundaries of the Indian country and enacted laws excluding white men and regulating relations with the Indians. The Indian Superintendent at St. Louis was made governor over the "Indian country."
Nebraska Name and Organization.--The name "Nebraska" first appears in literature about the year 1842. Lieutenant John C. Fremont explored the plains and mountains in that year. His report speaks of the "Nebraska river," the Otoe Indian name for the Platte, from the Otoe word "Nebrathka," meaning "Flat Water." Secretary of War William Wilkins, in his report of November 30, 1844, says "the Platte or Nebraska river being the central stream would very properly furnish a name to the (proposed) territory." The first bill to organize the new Nebraska territory was introduced in congress December 17, 1844, by Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. This bill failed to pass. In 1848 Douglas introduced a second bill, which also failed. In 1853 a third bill was likewise defeated. In 1854 a fourth Nebraska bill, now called the "Nebraska-Kansas bill," was passed after a prolonged and bitter struggle and signed by President Franklin Pierce on May 30, 1854. This prolonged struggle between the slave states and the free states for dominance in the Nebraska region led to the organization of the new Republican party and the border conflicts which hastened the Civil war.
The First Nebraska Government.--Francis Burt, of South Carolina, was the first governor of Nebraska territory. He arrived at Bellevue October 7, 1854, and died there October 18. Thomas B. Cuming became the acting governor. A struggle between the new town of Omaha and the old town of Bellevue for the territorial capital was determined in favor of Omaha by Governor Cuming, who called the first session of the territorial legislature to meet there January 16, 1855.
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The Early Territorial Period.--The questions of most interest in the early territorial Nebraska days were the settlement of the country, the laws relating to land and currency, the proposed Pacific railroad, the rivalry between north and south Platte regions, the organization of the Republican party in 1858, as a rival of the Democratic party, the defeat of the first effort to make Nebraska a state. The population grew slowly from 2,732 in November, 1854, to 28,841 in 1860.The Later Territorial Period.--The election of Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860, the Civil war which followed and the appointment of Alvin Saunders as governor of Nebraska territory by President Lincoln in 1861, constitute a dividing period in Nebraska territorial history. The chief events in this later period were the raising of the First Nebraska regiment under Colonel John M. Thayer for service in the union army; the enactment of the free homestead law, taking effect January 1, 1863; the beginning of construction upon the Union Pacific railway in 1865; the fierce war with the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians on the plains which broke out in August, 1864; the passage of the enabling act by congress on April 19, 1864, permitting Nebraska to become a state and the fight over statehood between the Republican and Democratic parties centering in the election of June 2, 1866, where victory was won for statehood by the close vote of 3,938 for to 3,838 against.
From Admission as a, State March 1, 1867, to the Adoption of the Constitution of 1875, November 1, 1875.--This is the formative period of the new state. Among its principal events were the relocation of the capital at Lincoln, July 29, 1867, the impeachment of Governor David Butler in 1871, the first period of railway construction, including the completion of the Pacific railroad to the ocean and the entrance of the Burlington and Northwestern railroads into the region, the hard times and grasshopper period beginning in 1873, the establishment of the state university and agricultural college February 15, 1869, and the first great wave of homesteading immigrants who settled most of the desirable land in the eastern half of the state and sent adventurous Pioneers into the remotest parts.
From the Adoption of the Constitution in 1875 to the Farmers' Alliance Revolution in 1890.--This period is marked by the complete, settlement of all parts of the state except a few million acres of sand hills; by a rising demand for railroad regulation and political conflicts with railroad companies; by the removal of the Sioux, Pawnee, Ponca and Otoe Indians from their old Nebraska homes to new locations in Oklahoma and South Dakota; by continuing conflicts between the grangers and cattlemen for possession of the land in western Nebraska; by the beginning of the world-wide struggle between organized capital and organized wage-earners exemplified by strikes in the City of Omaha in 1882 and the great Burlington strike of 1888; and finally by the organization of the Farmers' Alliance, its entrance into the political field, first victory in the election of 1890 and the social revolution which has followed.
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From the Social Revolution of 1890 to the Present Time.--In this period two dominant notes of Nebraska life sometimes blend in harmony, sometimes clash in discord,--the first one the great growth of industrial wealth and the application of new machines and method to the production of that wealth; the second, the rising spirit of democracy with its demand for reconstruction of industrial institutions and government and the extension of direct political power to the people. Some of the events which illustrate these two contemporaneous movements in the state have been the drouth and the hard times from 1891 to 1897 with the extension of state aid to the drouth stricken regions; the development of alfalfa and winter wheat and sugar beets as Nebraska crops; the application of the sulky plow, the twine binder, the steam thresher, the tractor, the cream separator, the silo and motor engine as machines for the production of physical wealth from the farm; the development of irrigation and soil culture as new methods in. farming; the creation of the South Omaha stock yards as a great public market and the, large increase in home manufactures for the conversion of raw material into refined forms of wealth; the growth of co-operative unions among farmers, the organization of manufacturers' associations and the closer organization of all lines of business interests; the enactment of democratic laws, such as the Australian ballot, the direct primary, the initiative and referendum, commission form of city government; public ownership of school textbooks and guaranty of bank deposits, the rapid rise in the price of land, the growth of tenant farming, and the great increase in bank capital and deposits.Nebraska in the World War.--On April 6,1917, the congress of the United States declared that a state of war existed between this country and Germany. Nebraska furnished 47,801 men for the war. For the various war causes, the purchase of United States bonds, the Red Cross and others, Nebraska furnished near $300,000,000. About one thousand Nebraska soldiers died in the service, and her men fought in all the great battles in Europe and served in ships in every part of the world. The greatest contribution Nebraska made to the war was, perhaps, the food supply. The surplus food which supplied the allies and the American soldiers was produced in six or seven American states, of which Nebraska was one. Nebraska furnished Base Hospital 49, consisting of 400 men and women stationed at Allereye, France. This hospital cared for many thousands of badly wounded during the last campaign of the war.
The Civil Code.--The legislature of 1919 enacted what is known as the civil administrative code. This law consolidated a dozen or more different administrative agencies, variously governed, into six departments under heads appointed by the governor. The six departments are called: finance, agriculture, labor, trade and commerce, public works, and public welfare. The administrative code of Illinois served as a model for the Nebraska law.
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Constitutional Changes.--A constitutional convention met in December, 1919, and after a session of several months proposed forty-one amendments to the state constitution. All of these were adopted at a special election held September 21, 1920. The Nebraska state legislature, called in special session on July 31, 1919, unanimously ratified an amendment to the federal constitution permitting women to vote in all states of the union on equal terms with men. In addition to this Nebraska placed woman suffrage in her own state constitution by vote September 21, 1920.
HISTORY OF CAPITOL BUILDINGS OF NEBRASKA
Nebraska has had four capitol buildings, two of which were constructed during the territorial period and two during the state period, and now a fifth is under construction. The first territorial capitol building was constructed in Omaha by Iowa men and by Iowa money. This building was a two-story, brick structure and was "33x75 feet and cost about $3,000." This building was a temporary makeshift, soon superseded by a more elegant and commodious structure also located at Omaha and erected in part by an appropriation of $50,000 from the federal government and in part by a municipal grant of $60,000 from the city of Omaha.
Throughout the territorial period there was constant agitation for the removal of the seat of government from Omaha to some other point in the territory. This purpose was finally effected in the passage of the removal act approved June 14, 1867. The new capitol city was to be named Lincoln. On July 29, 1867, the new site was chosen. October 10, 1867, plans for the new capitol building were submitted and those of John Morris of Chicago adopted. The cost of this, the first state capitol building, was $75,817.59, which amount was derived from the sale of lots in Lincoln. This building was so poorly constructed that it began to show signs of decay as early as 1871. A severe storm in May, 1873, so damaged the capitol that it was necessary to expend $5,897 in repairs. Governor Silas Garber in his retiring address to the legislature in 1879 said: "For some time past the outer walls of the capitol have been considered unsafe. * * * The time, however, is not far distant, * * * when steps should be taken for the erection of a new state house of adequate proportions."
The legislature of 1879 apropriated (sic) $75,000 to begin the construction of the west wing of a new capitol building. The architect was Wm. H. Wilcox and the contractor W. H. B. Stout. The total cost. for building and furnishing the west wing was $83,178.81. This wing was begun in 1879 and finished at the close of 1881. The legislature of 1881 appropriated $100,000 for the construction of the east wing of the capitol and retained Wm. H. Wilcox as architect. Bids were submitted on this wing July 12, 1881, by the following firms: Butler & Krone, $98,490; Robert D. Silver, $86,400; W. H. B. Stout, $96,800.
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The contract was let to Stout. The total cost of building and furnishing the east wing was $108,247.92. This wing was accepted by the board of public lands and buildings December 1, 1882. With the completion of the east and. west wings of the capitol the legislature of 1883 authorized the board of public lands and buildings to ask for bids for the destruction and removal of the old capitol.For the construction of the central portion of the new capitol the legislature of 1883, and that of 1885, authorized a levy of one-half mill on the grand assessment roll for the years 1883, 1884, 1885 and 1886. W. H. B. Stout obtained the contract for the erection of the central portion of the capitol at the price of $439,187.25. The legislature of 1887 authorized a levy of three-fourths of a mill for the years of 1887 and 1888 to complete the capitol building. The same session of the legislature made provision for the sale of all unsold lots and lands in the city of Lincoln belonging to the state for the use of the capitol building fund. The sale of these lots added $78,870 to this fund. The total cost of the second state capitol building was $691,428.80.
For many years the need of a new capitol building had been quite evident. The rapid deterioration of the old structure made extensive repairs impracticable. The legislature of 1919 passed a law providing "for the planning and construction of a capitol building, creating a commission to conduct the same, levying a tax of one and one-half mills therefor." The act was approved February 20, 1919. On February 21, 1919, the capitol commission was appointed. The membership at present is as follows:
Adam McMullen, Governor
Wymore
William H. Thompson
Grand Island
William E. Hardy
Lincoln
Walter W. Head
Omaha
Roy L. Cochran, State Engineer
Lincoln
Later Thomas R. Kimball, of Omaha, was chosen as professional adviser. The capitol commission, after visiting various state capitol buildings concerned itself during 1919 and the first half of 1920 with the choice of an architect. Two competitions were held, the first limited to Nebraska architects, resulted in the choice of three who were thus privileged to enter the final contest. In the final competition there were, besides the three Nebraska architects, seven companies from outside Nebraska. In June, 1920, the capitol commission assisted by a jury of three members, chose, from unidentified plans, a set which, upon opening the identified plans, proved to be those of Mr. Bertram Goodhue, of New York. His plans, as submitted, were, with slight modification, accepted as the plan for the new capitol building. Mr. Goodhue's word picture of the plan is as follows: "A vast, though rather low structure, from whose midst rises a great central tower, which, with its gleaming dome of golden tiles, would stand a landmark for many miles around." The year 1921 was occupied in completing the
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plans and preparation for building. The actual construction of the new capitol began early in 1922. In January, 1925, part of the building was completed and occupied. The central portions and the tower are in process of erection. The legislature of 1925 amended the capitol commission act of 1919 by extending the levy for four years up to 1928, and setting a limit of $9,000,000 for completing, decorating, furnishing and building a heating and power plant. A booklet descriptive of the capitol may be obtained from the Capitol commission upon receipt of twenty-five cents.The territorial seal was in use on some of the early documents and publications.
A bill introduced by Isaac Wiles of Cass county on May 31, and approved June 15, 1867, appropriated $25 to be used by the secretary of state for the securing of a state seal, which was thus described in the act: "The eastern part of the circle to be represented by a steamboat ascending the Missouri river; the mechanic arts to be represented by a smith with hammer and anvil; in the foreground agriculture to be represented by a settler's cabin, sheaves of wheat and stalks of growing corn; in the background a train of cars heading towards the Rocky Mountains, and on the extreme west the Rocky mountains to be plainly in view; around the top of this circle to be in capital letters, the motto, 'Equality before the law,' and the circle to be surrounded with the words, 'Great seal of the state of Nebraska, March 1, 1867.'"
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PROPOSED NEW SEAL
The legislature of 1921 authorized the governor to appoint a commission to design a new seal, and also a state banner. The governor appointed George A. Williams of Fairmont, Dr. George E. Condra, of Lincoln, and Mrs. E. B. Penney of Fullerton, as members of this commission.
The legislature of 1923 failed to adopt the proposed seal as the official seal. The old seal is still in use.
STATE FLOWER
A joint resolution introduced by Representative L. P. Judd of Boone county, and approved April 4, 1895, designates the golden rod (Solidago serotina) as the floral emblem of the state.
Another joint resolution introduced by Senator C. H. Sloan of Geneva, and also approved on April 4, 1895, after referring in the preamble to the, fact that Nebraska had, "in a popular sense, been designated by names not in keeping with its history, industry or ambition," conferred upon the state the proper designation--"Tree planters' state."
STATE FLAG OR BANNER
Representative J. Lloyd McMaster of Lancaster county introduced a bill in 1925, designating a state banner. The law describes the banner as "a reproduction of the great seal of the state charged on the center in gold and silver on a field of national blue."
STATE BIRD
A joint resolution introduced by Representative F. C. Rundle of Hamilton county, and approved March 22, 1929, declares the western meadowlark to be the state bird of Nebraska
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
January 1
New Year's Day
February 12
Lincoln's Birthday
February 22
Washington's Birthday
April 22
Arbor Day
May 30
Memorial Day
July 4
Independence Day
September (first Monday)
Labor Day
October 12
Columbus Day
November 11
Armistice Day
November (by proclamation)
Thanksgiving Day
December 25
Christmas Day
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HISTORICAL ROSTERTerritorial Officers of Nebraska
GOVERNORS--
Francis Burt, October 16, 1854, to October 18, 1864. Died October 18, 1854, and vacancy filled by Secretary Thomas B. Cuming to February 20, 1855.
Mark W. Izard, February 20, 1855, to October 25, 1857. October 25, resigned and vacancy filled by Secretary Cuming to January 12, 1858.
William A. Richardson, January 12, 1858, to December 5, 1858. Resigned December 6, and vacancy filled by Secretary J. Sterling Morton until Governor Black's arrival May 2, 1859.
Samuel W. Black, May 2, 1859, to February 24, 1861. February 24, resigned to enter army and vacancy filled by J. Sterling Morton, secretary, until May 1.
Alvin Saunders, May 1, 1861, to February 21, 1867.
SECRETARIES--
Thomas B. Cuming, August 13, 1854, to March 12, 1858. Died March 12, 1858. Was acting governor, October 18, 1854, to February 20, 1855, and October 25, 1857, to January 12, 1858.
John B. Motley, March 23, 1858, to July 12, 1868. Acting secretary until arrival of J. Sterling Morton.
J. Sterling Morton, July 12, 1858, to May 6, 1861. Acting governor, December 5, 1858, to May 2, 1859, and February 24, 1861, to May 6, 1861.
Algernon S. Paddock, May 6, 1861, to February 21, 1867. Acting governor, May 6, 1861, to May 15, 1861,
AUDITORS--
- Chas. B. Smith, term of office began March 16, 1855.
- Samuel L. Campbell, term of office began August 3, 1857.
- William E. Moore, term of office began June 1, 1858.
- Robert C. Jordan, term of office began August 2, 1858.
- William E. Harvey, term of office began October 8, 1861.
- John Gillespie, term of office began October 10, 1865.
TREASURERS--
- B. P. Rankin, term of office began March 16, 1855.
- William W. Wyman, term of office began November 6, 1855.
- Augustus Kountze, term of office began October 8, 1861.
LIBRARIANS--
- James S. Izard, term of office began March 16, 1855.
- H. C. Anderson, term of office began November 6, 1855.
- John H. Kellom, term of office began August 8, 1857.
- Alonzo D. Luce, term of office began November 7, 1859.
- Robert S. Knox, term of office began June 1861.
SUPREME COURT-TERRITORIAL JUSTICES--
Term of Office
Chief Justice
Fenner Ferguson
October 12, 1854-1857
October 12, 1854-1857
Augustus Hall
March 15, 1859-1861
March 15, 1858-1861
William Pitt Kellogg
May 27, 1861. Resigned 1861
May 27, 1861
William Kellogg
May 9, 1865-1867
May 8, 1865-1867
Edward R. Harden
December 4, 1854-1860
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Term of Office
James Bradley
October 25, 1854-1857
Samuel W. Black
January, 1857-May, 1859
Eleazer Wakeley
April 22, 1857-May, 1861
Joseph Miller
April 9. 1859-1860
William F. Lockwood
May 16, 1861-1867
Joseph E. Streeter
November 18, 1861-February 20, 1868
Elmer S. Dundy
June 22, 1863-1867
CLERKS OF SUPREME COURT--
- J. Sterling Morten, 1855.
- H. C. Anderson, 1856.
- Charles S. Salisbury, 1858.
- E. B. Chandler, 1859.
- John H. Kellom, 1861.
- William Kellogg, Jr., 1865.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS--
- D. S. McGary, May 10, 1855.
- Jonathan H. Smith, June 9, 1855.
- S. A. Strickland, June 11, 1855.
- John M. Latham, November 6. 1855.
- Jacob Safford, November 6, 1856.
- William Kline, November 6, 1856.
- James G. Chapman, August 3, 1857.
- William McLennan, August 8, 1857.
- George W. Doane, August 3, 1857.
- U. C. Johnson, October 11, 1859.
Office abolished by act of January 11, 1861. Revived June 11, 1867.
UNITED STATES MARSHALS--
- Mark W. Izard, October 28, 1854.
- Eli R. Doyle, April 7, 1856.
- Benjamin P. Rankin, March 29, 1856.
- Phineas W. Hitchcock, September 19, 1861.
DELEGATES TO CONGRESS--
- Napoleon B. Giddings, elected December 12, 1854.
- Bird B. Chapman, elected November 6, 1855.
- Fenner Ferguson, elected August 3, 1857.
- Experience Estabrook, elected October 11, 1859.
- Samuel G. Daily, elected October 9, 1860.
- Phineas W. Hitchcock, elected October 11, 1864.
State Officers of Nebraska from its Organization
All state elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the even numbered years. The term of all elective state officers begins on the Thursday after the first Tuesday in January of the odd numbered years.
GOVERNORS-
David Butler, February 21, 1867, to June 2, 1871. Elected in 1866, but did not enter upon the duties of the office until the admission of the state into the union. Re-elected October 8, 1868. Re-elected October 18, 1870. Impeached. Succeeded June 2, 1871, by W. H. James, secretary of state, until the inauguration of Governor Furnas.
Robert W. Furnas, 1873-1875.
Silas Garber, 1875-1879.
Albinus Nance, 1879-1883.
James W. Dawes. 1883-1887.
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- John M. Thayer, 1887-January 15, 1891; May 5, 1891-February S. 1892.
- James E. Boyd, January 15, 1891- May 5, 1891; February 8, 1892-1893.1
- Lorenzo Crounse, 1893-1895
- Silas A. Holcomb, 1895-1899.
- William A. Poynter, 1899-1901.
- Charles H. Dietrich, January 3, 1901-May 1, 1901.
- Ezra P. Savage, May 1. 19012-1903
- John H. Mickey, 1903-1907.
- George L. Sheldon, 1907-1909.
- Ashton C. Shallenberger, 1909-1911,
- Chester H. Aldrich, 1911-1913.
- John H. Morehead, 1913-1917.
- Keith Neville, 1917-1919.
- Samuel R. McKelvie, 1919-1923.
- Charles W. Bryan, 1923-1925.
- Adam McMullen, 1925-1929.
- Arthur J. Weaver, 1929-1931.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS--
- Othman A. Abbott, 1877-1879.
- Edmund C. Carns, 1879-1883.
- A. W. Agee, 1883-1886.
- H. H. Shedd, 1886-1889.
- Geo. D. Meiklejohn, 1889-1891.
- Thomas J. Majors, 1891-1895.
- Robert E. Moore, 1995-1897.
- James E. Harris, 1897-1899.
- E. A. Gilbert, 1899-1901.
- Ezra P. Savage, 1901-1903.
- Edmund G. McGilton, 1903-1907.
- M. R. Hopewell, 1907-May 2, 1911. Died May 2, 1911.
- S. R. McKelvie, 1913-1915.
- James Pearson, 1916-1917.
- Edgar Howard, 1917-1919.
- Pelham A. Barrows, 1919-1923.
- Fred G. Johnson, 1923-1925.
- George A. Williams, 1925-1931.
SECRETARIES OF STATE--
- Thomas P. Kennard, February 21, 1867-January 10, 1871.
- Wm. H. James, 1871-1878. Acting governor, June 2, 1871-January 13, 1973.
- John J. Gosper, 1873-1875.
- Bruno Tzschuck, 1875-1879.
- S. J. Alexander, 1879-1883.
- Edward P. Roggen, 1883-1887.
- Gilbert L. Laws. January 6, 1887-November 20, 1889. Resigned to fill unexpired term in congress caused by the death of James Laird.
- Benj. R. Cowdery, November 20, 1889-January 8, 1891. Appointed by Governor Thayer to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of G. L. Laws.
- John C. Allen, 1891-1895.
- Joel A. Piper, 1895-1897.
- William F. Porter, 1897-1901.
- George W. Marsh, 1901-1905.
- A. Galusha, 1905-1907.
- George C. Junkin, 1907-1911.
1Election contested by Governor John M. Thayer. Suit delayed the final seating of Governor Boyd.
2Acting governor upon the resignation of Governor Charles H. Dietrich.