Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-24
PIONEER OF OMAHA DEAD
Hadley D. johnson and His Life in the
Great Central West.
CAME TO NEBRASKA FIRST IN 1854
His Active Part in the Politics Of the
TerritOry-Instrumental in Having
Nebraska and Kansas Divided
as They Are Today.

Hadley d. Johnson, Of the Oldest and
sturdiest of Nebraska pioneers and a man
prominent in the foundation of a half dozen
other western states, passed away in Salt
Lake City July IL, at the ripe age of So
years. Mr.. johnson made his home in
Omaha from October, 1854, to 1853, and
again from 1865 to 1869, and was a con-
spicuous figure on the side of good gov
eminent during the period of the city's
birth. He has n large number Of friends
among older Nebraskans, who know of his
work here and his value to the community.
Two of these are DR.. George l.. Miller and
j. Sterling Morton, who were associated
with him both socially and politically.
The former says that Mr.. Johnson first
crossed the Missouri river late in 1854, hay
ing lived In Council Bluffs for four years
previously. AT that time the settlement
consisted of a few houses scattered about
the neighborhood OF Twelfth and Harvey
streets, and there was no litigation or
other business that would employ an attor-
ney. Mr.. johnson accordingly abandoned
his law practice in which he had engaged
at Council Bluffs in the partnership OF
Johnson, Cassidy & Test, and began the
purchase and sale of land grants. He was
a democrat and as one OF the leaders of
A' be''y - " manu- III II IOTI1dlpDD OF
the government Of the city and state.
In 1854 he was chosen by a "squatters
convention" held in this city, as a dele
gate to Washington to negotiate regarding
the formation Of the territory of Nebraska.
At the previous session of congress a bill
had been introduced to organize and fix
the boundaries Of the territory. Stephen A.
Douglas, then senator from Illinois, was
chairman of the committee on territories
in the upper house. and 1t was OF the ut
most importance that he and his committe
should be informed as to the true interests
involved.
Visits the "LittIe Giant.v
In the month Of January, 1864, Mr.. John
son rode across the treeless prairies oil
Iowa to Keokuk, took a boat for st. Louis
and Cincinnati, and thence to Washington
by railroad. He called upon the Little
Giant being introduced to the chairman
OF the committee by Senator Dodge Of Iowa,
and laid before him his plan for dividing
the vast expanse Of western prairies into
two, in place of one territory. to be known
as Kansas and Nebraska, thus originating
the measure which was afterwards adopted
as a substitute bin for the one than pend
ing.
In October, 1854, he crossed to the sIte
u hp pitStHl Guy VI oIuhld, anu Ill IHt
campaign following was, at the solicitation
OF many settlers, induced to become a can
didate for delegate TO congress. The riya
settlements, known as North and Soutl
Platte, figured In the fight. and he failed
to be elected by fifty votes, his successful
rival being Napoleon Bonaparte Giddings
who served one term.
In 1856 Mr.. Johnson was elected publ,
printer against violent opposition. A heav!
bond was required and the acts were t,
be "out" by July @. 7. b. Cummings, VIII
was governor. delayed In getting the law
compiled and ready for the printer. Tn
governor finally gave him over the origi
nails and he took them to Indiana and ha,
: them printed there. To comply with tn
time" article he had to rush copy an
return to Omaha with the books via railroa
and the Missouri river. He got them Their
, the day before the time expired.
Previous to his residence In Omaha, Nj