George Sherman Alexander [RG3722.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID



RG3722.AM:  George Sherman Alexander, 1832-1894



Papers:  1869-1870

Syracuse, Otoe County, Nebraska:  Minister; Immigration Commissioner

Size:  1 folder



BACKGROUND NOTE



George S. Alexander, son of Ira and Frances (Sherman) Alexander, was born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, on July 10, 1832.  He became a minister of the Methodist church in 1854.  He married Abby G. Smith in 1856.  After preaching in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut for over a decade, Alexander was transferred to Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska, in 1868.



After settling in Nebraska, Rev. Alexander announced a series of six lectures, likely on the subjects of temperance and women’s rights.  He also wrote to eastern newspapers promoting emigration to Nebraska.  In 1869 Alexander was appointed State Commissioner of Immigration.  In this position he promoted Nebraska energetically, giving lectures and writing a pamphlet titled “Nebraska:  Its Resources and Prospects.”



By September 1873 Alexander was chaplain of the State Insane Asylum and in May 1874 he was chaplain of the State Penitentiary. He also served as chaplain of the Nebraska House of Representatives, 1875, and the Nebraska State Senate, 1877.



After his wife died in 1876, Alexander moved to Illinois, where he preached for five years.  He married Susan M. Godding in Philo, Illinois, on September 20, 1877. The Alexanders returned to Nebraska in 1881, settling in Syracuse.  Rev. Alexander organized the Methodist church in Turlington.  He was admitted to the bar on January 24, 1890.  He died in Syracuse on May 2, 1894.



SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE



This collection consists of one folder containing papers of George S. Alexander.  All of these papers relate to Alexander’s efforts to promote emigration to Nebraska.  Of primary interest is both a handwritten and typescript of Alexander’s “Nebraska:  Its Resources and Prospects.”  In this manuscript that was eventually distributed as a pamphlet, Alexander describes Nebraska’s geography and soil, history, climate, agricultural production, railroads, manufacturing, and educational and religious institutions.  Correspondence, 1869-1870, about the publication of the pamphlet is included.



INVENTORY



Manuscript (handwritten and typescript) by George S. Alexander:  Nebraska:  Its Resources and Prospects

Correspondence, 1869-1870



 



Subject headings:



Alexander, George S., 1832-1894

Emigration — Nebraska

Immigration — Nebraska

Nebraska — Description and travel



 



Revised AIF          03-22-2019

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.