Andrew Jackson Poppleton

Who was Andrew Jackson Poppleton?

Andrew Jackson Poppleton was the second mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, serving for six months from March 2, 1858-September 14, 1858 before he resigned from office. Poppleton was afterwards an influential real estate businessman and lawyer in Omaha.

Poppleton worked for many years as the general attorney for the Union Pacific Railroad. The most important case he ever argued was the 1879 trial of Standing Bear v. Crook, held at Fort Omaha. Standing Bear, a Ponca chief, successfully argued in U.S. District Court that Native Americans are "persons within the meaning of the law" and have the rights of citizenship.

Poppleton died in 1896 and was interred at the Prospect Hill Cemetery in North Omaha. Poppleton Street in Omaha is named in his honor; the Poppleton Block in Downtown Omaha is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.