Colonel William A. Phillips

John Taffe (January 30, 1827 – March 14, 1884) was a Nebraska Republican politician.

Biography

He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 30, 1827. He passed the bar and moved to the Nebraska Territory in 1856, becoming a member of the Nebraska Territorial House of Representatives from 1858 to 1859 and as the president of the Nebraska Territorial council in 1860 and 1861. During the American Civil War, he enlisted and served as major in the Second Regiment of the Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry. Originally named Captain of Company "I", he was promoted to Major Jan 24, 1863, joining the Field Officers of the entire regiment.

He returned to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was elected to the Fortieth United States Congress from Nebraska. He was re-elected two times serving from March 4, 1867, to March 3, 1873. During the Forty-second United States Congress, he was the chairman on the Committee on Territories.

He resumed his practice of law, becoming receiver of the public land office in North Platte, Nebraska, where he died March 14, 1884. He is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in North Omaha.

References

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nebraska's at-large congressional district

March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1873
Succeeded by