Robert Wilkinson Furnas
2nd Governor of Nebraska
In office January 13, 1873 – January 11, 1875
Preceded by	William H. James (acting)
Succeeded by	Silas Garber
Personal details
Born	(1824-05-05)May 5, 1824 near Troy, Ohio
Died	June 1, 1905(1905-06-01) (aged 81) Lincoln, Nebraska
Political party	Republican
Signature

Robert Wilkinson Furnas (May 5, 1824 – June 1, 1905) was the second governor of Nebraska, United States. Born near Troy, Ohio, and orphaned at the age of eight Furnas was a self-made man. He worked as a farmer, printer, tinsmith, insurance salesman, and postmaster all before getting into politics. He married Mary Elizabeth McComas on October 29, 1845, who died in 1897; and his second was Susannah Emswiler Jameson. He had eight children.^[1]

Career

Furnas came to Nebraska in 1856 at the age of thirty-two and settled in Brownville, Nebraska. Two months later, he published the Nebraska Advertiser, a publication advertising the agricultural opportunities found in Nebraska. He also published the Nebraska Farmer, the first agricultural publication out of Nebraska that is still published to this day.^[2]

In 1856 and 1858, Furnas was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nebraska Territory. He served as the public printer for the Nebraska Territory in 1857. In 1861, he was the chief clerk of the Territorial Council.

Civil War

During the Civil War, Furnas became a colonel in the territorial militia, which was loyal to the Union. In 1862, he commanded three Indian regiments aligned with the Union Army and captured the Cherokee Indian chief John Ross.

Civilian career

After the war, Furnas served as Indian agent for the Omaha, Winnebago, and Ponca tribes. He was a member of the University of Nebraska board of regents from 1869 to 1875,^[3] first president of the Nebraska State Historical Society from 1878 to 1890, United States commissioner to the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, United States Commissioner to the New Orleans Cotton Centennial and United States commissioner to the Chicago Columbian Exposition.

Furnas served as president of the American Fair Association, president of the State Horticultural Society, Fourth Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska AF&AM from 1865 to 1866, first president of the Nebraska Teachers Association and president of the State Board of Agriculture. He served as secretary of the State Board of Agriculture from the early 1880s until his death.^[4]

Furnas secured the Republican nomination, and was elected governor by popular vote. He served as Governor of Nebraska from 1873 to 1875.^[5]

Death

Furnas died in 1905 and is interred in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Brownville, Nebraska.^[6]

Legacy

Furnas helped to create Arbor Day when he was governor.

Furnas County, Nebraska, is named in his honor.^[7][8]

He was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 1980.^[9]