by Gary R. Rosenberg, © Douglas County Historical Society, 2008

The mayors of Omaha have come from all walks of life: twenty of the city’s chief executives were businessmen, including a grocer, a beer brewer, three bankers and five in real estate. Eleven lawyers filled the ranks, joined by a surveyor, a teacher and an engineer. Most of those who served as mayor have hailed from the eastern half of the country.
Glenn Cunningham became the first native son elected mayor in 1948. Eight Omahans have followed him. Four have come from New York, with three each from Illinois and Ohio. Two sets of brothers filled the role — Canadians Ezra and Joseph Millard and Omahans Glenn and Robert Cunningham.
   Several have aspired to higher office, though relatively few have made it to the state or national stage. James Boyd is the only former Omaha mayor to serve as Governor of Nebraska. Joseph Millard and Edward Zorinsky served as Nebraska Senators, while Glenn Cunningham and Hal Daub each served several terms as Second District representative to Congress. Terms of those elected to the mayor’s office have ranged from Andrew Poppleton’s seven months — he was one of five who resigned — to nearly 21 years by James Dahlman.
   While some were beloved and others beset with problems, it seems the men who aspired to the office of Mayor of Omaha have shared an affection for the city and a real desire to improve the lives of its people.

Click on the photograph to read a short biography

Jesse Lowe March 5, 1857-March 2, 1858	Andrew J. Poppleton March 2, 1858-Sept. 14, 1858	George R. Armstrong Sept. 14, 1858-March 10, 1859 March 5, 1861-Nov. 5, 1862	David D. Belden March 10, 1859-March 6, 1860
Clinton Briggs March 6, 1860-March 5, 1861	Benjamin E. Kennedy Nov. 5, 1862-March 15, 1864	Addison R. Gilmore March 15, 1864-March 9, 1865	Lorin Miller March 9, 1865-March 6, 1867
Charles H. Brown March 6, 1867-March 4, 1868	George M. Roberts March 4, 1868-June 7, 1869	Ezra Millard June 7, 1869-April 10, 1871	Smith S. Caldwell April 10, 1871-April 9, 1872
Joseph H. Millard April 9, 1872-April 7, 1873	William M. Brewer April 7, 1873-February 3, 1874	Champion S. Chase April 13, 1874-April 9, 1877 April 7, 1879-April 12, 1881 April 10, 1883-June 30, 1884	Reuben H. Wilbur April 9, 1877-April 7, 1879
James E. Boyd April 12, 1881-April 10, 1883 April 14, 1885-May 10, 1887	William J. Broatch May 10, 1887-January 7, 1890 January 7, 1896-May 10, 1897	Richard C. Cushing January 7, 1890-January 5, 1892	George P. Bemis January 5, 1892-January 7, 1896

Sources:
Vertical Files, Douglas County Historical Society Library Archives Center
Omaha Daily Bee, Omaha Daily Herald, The True Voice
Omaha City Directories
“History of the City of Omaha and South Omaha” by James W. Savage and John T. Bell
“Omaha:The Gate City and Douglas County Nebraska, A Record of Settlement, Progress and Achievement” by Arthur C. Wakely
“Omaha Memories” by Ed F. Morearty
“History of Omaha: From the Pioneer Days to the Present Time” by Alfred Sorenson
 

Check back soon for biographies of mayors serving from 1896 to 1954.