Governor of Nebraska. James William Dawes was born on his parent’s farm in McConnelsville, Morgan County, Ohio. While much of his young life was spent in agricultural labors, James was privileged to come from a family who valued education. For two years, he attended the Western Reserve College in Ohio. Later his parents moved to Wisconsin, and Dawes followed. There he completed his education at the Milwaukee Business College. James obtained the job of a Mercantile Clerk for G. J. Hansen and Company located in Kilbourn City (now Wisconsin Dells) Wisconsin. In later years he wrote with fond memories of his four years at Hansen and Company, feeling it prepared him for both the business world and political leadership. By 1869 Dawes began to pursue a legal education by reading the law at the firm of Julius H. Dawes, his cousin, in Fox Lake, Wisconsin. In 1871, Dawes was admitted to the Bar. Later that year, James moved to Crete, Nebraska, intent on opening a mercantile business of his own. As his store prospered, Dawes also began to practice law. Recognized for his understanding of both legal matters and business, Dawes was chosen as a member of the 1875 State Constitutional Convention. In 1877 he was elected to a term in the Nebraska State Senate. In 1882 he was elected to the first of two terms as Governor of Nebraska, and served from January 6, 1883 until January 6, 1887. His administration saw to the advancement of education, both at the college and secondary level, and he is remembered as the first Chief Executive to create an appropriation the State Historical Society. Following his retirement from office, Dawes returned to his law practice in Crete, and also remained on the Board of Trustees for Doane College, a position he held for more than 37 years. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Dawes volunteered for service and was assigned as an Army Paymaster. This position eventually became permanent, and Dawes retired from the Army in 1909, having served both in Cuba and the Philippines. He died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 8, 1918. Dawes County, Nebraska is named in his honor.