Charles H. WhaleyMayor in 1867 and 1868
Charles H. Whaley came to Columbus in May 1857. He was a judge and a representative of the Platte District. On May 6, 1863 he married Elizabeth Ricketts. They had two sons, George and Charles A. George moved to Illinois. Charles A. started the Columbus Steam Laundry business (later located just north of the present Downtowner Hotel on 27th Avenue). Charles H. Whaley and Will Dale were instrumental in establishing the Episcopal Church in Columbus; they along with other investors tried to develop the Yankton & Columbus railroad line, but it was a scheme and failed. Later Whaley also invested in the Sioux City & Columbus Railroad. Judge Whaley died in September 1869.
Will B. DaleMayor from 1868 to 1870
Will B. Dale was born in Cooperstown, NY on September 25, 1840. He came to Columbus in 1866. For many years he was the General Agent for the Diebold Safe Co. In 1867 he married Caroline Rickly. Dale was a member of the first Board of Regents of the State University of Nebraska after the state had been admitted to the union. He held various positions in the Platte County Court House for 16 years. In 1896 he started the Columbus "Times", a weekly newspaper, which he continued to publish until 1904. He died March 30, 1906. The Dales had two daughters, Carrie E. and Courtney E.
David SchupbachMayor in 1892 and 1893
David Schupbach was born January 25, 1850 in Switzerland. He came to America in 1869. Member and president of the Columbus Board of Education for 17 years; active in the Democratic Party; president of the Platte Agricultural and Fair Association; president of the Maennerchor Society. He and his friend, Adolph Jaeggi, started a lumber yard in 1875 and sold it after 13 years. The lumber yard was renamed Kaufman Lumber Yard; later sold, and is now Mead Lumber Yard. In 1885, Schupbach and Jaeggi then founded the Elevator Roller Mill. The Schupbachs had five children and one grandson, David Blaser. Mr. Schupbach died April 18, 1925.
If you know of anyone that enjoys researching genealogy, you may want to pass on to them the information about the three mayors for whom we are still looking for pictures.
Contact Nancy Saalfeld if you have a picture to use or any information.