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 continue his work as a builder. Silver was married to Joanna Rebecca (nee Wiest), and they had four children. Son Robert (1863-1939) also became a builder.[1][2] He died in Colorado Springs 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, 1873, 1878, 1883
Educational & Professional Associations
c. 1870-1885: builder, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
1873-4 & 1876-7: mayor, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1]
1878-1879: County Clerk of Lancaster County, Nebraska.[2]
First V.P. of First National Bank, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]
Buildings & Projects
Dated Projects
Contractor on "Nebraska University" (1869) Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]{8][b]
Contractor on "State Insane Asylum" (1872) Lincoln, Nebraska.[2][9]
Contractor on Dakota territorial penitentiary (1881), Sioux Falls, [South] Dakota.[2][11][d]
Bidder (unsuccessful) for excavation and masonry of foundation for central building of Kansas State House (1882), Topeka, Kansas.[10][c]
Undated Projects
"First contractor on Kansas State House," Topeka, Kansas.[2]
Architect and builder, Penitentiary at Santa Fe, New Mexico.[2]
Builder of Penitentiary at Rawlins, Wyoming.[2]
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. A contract between David J. Silver & Son [Robert D. Silver] and the State of Nebraska for the construction of the State University building figured prominently in the impeachment and conviction of David Butler, the state's first governor.[8]
c. R. D. Silver was one of six bidders for the excavation and foundation work for the center portion of the Kansas State House in 1882. His bid of $181,200 was third lowest; William Tweeddale won with a bid of $174,875.[10]
d. The Canton (South Dakota) Advocate newspaper reported in 1881 "The contract for building the penitentiary at Sioux Falls has been awarded to R. D. Silver of Lincoln, Nebraska, at $34,813."[11]
References
1. “Eighty Years Apart,” Lincoln Evening Journal (June 25, 1953), 5:3.
2. "Death of Robert D. Silver. A Former Piquad Passes Peacefully away at Colorado Springs," The Miami Helmet (Piqua, Ohio) (November 14, 1889), 5.
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.
7. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "Robert D Silver Jr," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
8. "Impeachment. Articles Presented against David Butler Governor of the State of Nebraska," Omaha (Nebraska) Herald (March 9, 1871), 2.
9. "The State Insane Asylum is nearly completed. It is a magnificent specimen of architecture, and Robert D. Sliver has covered himself with credit by doing a first-class piece of work." West Point (Nebraska) Republican (October 24, 1872), 8.
10. "Meeting of the [Kansas] State House Commissioners," The Daily Commonwealth (Topeka, Kansas) (March 18, 1882), 4.
11. "Dakota Doings, The Canton (South Dakota) Advocate (September 8, 1881), 5.
Page Citation
D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer, “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, April 17, 2024. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, December 5, 2025.
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