James Dahlman
| James Charles Dahlman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Mayor of Omaha | |
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In office 1906–1918 |
|
| Preceded by | Harry B. Zimman |
| Succeeded by | Edward Parsons Smith |
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In office 1921–1930 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Parsons Smith |
| Succeeded by | John H. Hopkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
15 December 1856 DeWitt County, Texas |
| Died | 21 January 1930 (aged 73) Omaha, Nebraska |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Hattie Abbott Dahlman |
| Children | Ruth Baughman, Dorothy Dahlman |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Cattle industry |
James Charles Dahlman (December 15, 1856 – January 21, 1930), also known as Jim Dahlman, Cowboy Jim and Mayor Jim, was elected to eight terms as mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, serving the city for 20 years over a 23-year-period. A German-American and an agnostic, Dahlman grew up in a ranching area and started working as a Texas cowboy. He was elected as a county sheriff and small town mayor in western Nebraska before moving to Omaha.
Called the "perpetual Mayor" in Omaha, Dahlman was seen by many as a cover man for the city's vice elements. Earning the reputation as the "wettest mayor in America", Dahlman saw the number of saloons in Omaha double during his first 10 years as mayor. The term "Dahlmanism" was coined to describe his politics.
James Charles Dahlman was born in Yorktown, DeWitt County, Texas in 1856. He was the eldest son of Charles and Mary Dahlman, both German Americans. At age 17, he won a Texas state riding competition and became a cowhand shortly afterwards. He was known as an expert with the lariat. In 1878, at the age of 22, Dahlman killed his brother-in-law during an argument and fled to western Nebraska, where he used the name "Jim Murray". Dahlman later learned a judge ruled the killing was self-defense. After working as a cowpuncher at the N-Bar Newman Ranch near Gordon for several years, Dahlman became a range boss.
In late 1884, Dahlman married Hattie Abbott who was a student at Wellesley College. Her father, Charles Abbott, was a doctor in Maine and Hattie met Dahlman at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation where he was working at the time.
Later Dahlman became a brand inspector for the Wyoming Stock Association at Valentine. Soon he was elected sheriff of Dawes County. In 1885 he became the mayor of Chadron and was elected twice to that office.
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