Nebraska Governor. Moving to Nebraska in 1856, he was a farmer and publisher of the Nebraska Farmer, the first agricultural newspaper out of Nebraska which is still published to this day. Entering politics, he was a member of the Nebraska Territorial Council (1856-58) and was the chief clerk of the Territorial Council in 1861. During the Civil War, he served as a Brigadier General in command of the Nebraska Territorial Militia. He also served as Colonel in the U.S. Army, in charge of recruiting and organizing three Indian regiments. After his military duty, he served as the Indian agent for the Omaha tribe and was a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents (1869-73). In 1873, he was elected as a Republican the 3rd Governor of Nebraska, serving until 1875. During his term, a severe drought was dealt with, as well as a grasshopper outbreak and the state's declining economy was addressed. After leaving office, he served as an agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and as president of the Nebraska State Historical Society, (1878-91). He also was president of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, from 1869, until his death at age 81. Furnas County, Nebraska was named after him.
Nebraska Governor. Moving to Nebraska in 1856, he was a farmer and publisher of the Nebraska Farmer, the first agricultural newspaper out of Nebraska which is still published to this day. Entering politics, he was a member of the Nebraska Territorial Council (1856-58) and was the chief clerk of the Territorial Council in 1861. During the Civil War, he served as a Brigadier General in command of the Nebraska Territorial Militia. He also served as Colonel in the U.S. Army, in charge of recruiting and organizing three Indian regiments. After his military duty, he served as the Indian agent for the Omaha tribe and was a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents (1869-73). In 1873, he was elected as a Republican the 3rd Governor of Nebraska, serving until 1875. During his term, a severe drought was dealt with, as well as a grasshopper outbreak and the state's declining economy was addressed. After leaving office, he served as an agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and as president of the Nebraska State Historical Society, (1878-91). He also was president of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, from 1869, until his death at age 81. Furnas County, Nebraska was named after him.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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