William A. Paxton

William A. Paxton
Born	1837 Kentucky
Died	July 18, 1907 Omaha, Nebraska
Nationality	American
Occupation	Cattle, investment
Known for	Businessman, politician

William A. Paxton (1837 – July 18, 1907) was an American pioneer businessman and politician in Omaha, Nebraska. His life as a rancher and cattleman early in his life, as well as early work with the Union Pacific Railroad was highly regarded among his contemporaries; his success as a businessman later in his life led him to great wealth. His leadership is seen as an essential factor in Omaha becoming a prominent and meatpacking center. He is frequently referred to as "the real founder of South Omaha."

Paxton was born in Kentucky and raised there until age twelve when his family moved to Missouri. Employed by a local farmer, by the age of fifteen he started his own business breaking prairie sod for new settlers in the area. Paxton worked as a farm manager until he was 25.

In 1862 Paxton went to Omaha and became the foreman of a bridge building crew on the Military Road between Omaha and Fort Kearny. Returning to Omaha in 1860 Paxton hauled freight between Omaha and Denver. The next year he worked for Edward Creighton's crew installing the Western Union Telegraph between Omaha and Denver. In 1865 he bought a team of horses from Creighton and started his own freighting business, operating between Omaha and Denver until 1867.

In 1867 the Union Pacific Railroad contracted with Paxton to grade the roadway west of Julesburg, Colorado. Working first as foreman of a crew hired to supply railroad ties, and then as manager of a large railroad construction gang, Paxton contracted with the Omaha and Northwestern Railroad in 1869 to build lines north out of Omaha to Oakland, Nebraska.

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