Robert D. Silver (ca. 1843- ), Architect
Robert D. Silver was born in Piqua, Ohio, February 28, 1843. He served as the third mayor of Lincoln from 1873-4 and was elected for a second (non-consecutive) term (1876-7) before leaving politics to work as a builder. Silver was married to Joanna Rebecca (nee Wiest), and they had four children. Son Robert (-1939) also became a builder.[1][2] He died in Denver on November 5, 1889.[3]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
Lincoln, Nebraska, 1894-1895, 1901-1903, 1905, 1911, 1915
Educational & Professional Associations
1873-1879: mayor, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
1880: builder, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Buildings & Projects
Notes
a. The 1870 federal census listed Silver in Lincoln as a "Contractor & Builder"/"Builder Public Buildings." He was called simply "Builder" in the 1880 census.
b.
References
1. “Eighty Years Apart,” Lincoln Evening Journal (June 25, 1953), 5:3.
2. 1880 United States Census, s.v. “R. D. Silver,” Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, accessed through HeritageQuestOnline.com.
3. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "Robert D Silver," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
4. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census, s.v. "Robt D Silver," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
5. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census, s.v. "R. D. Silver," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
6. "Robert Silver Dies." (obituary of son Robert), Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal Star (June 2, 1939), 8.
Page Citation
D. Murphy, “Robert D. Silver (ca. 1843- ), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, March 11, 2015. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, December 5, 2025.
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