John Aufenkamp
John Aufenkamp | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 2nd district | |
| In office January 6, 1953 – January 3, 1961 | |
| Preceded by | Floyd Pohlman |
| Succeeded by | William Brandt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 30, 1893 |
| Died | February 11, 1962 (aged 68) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Hazel Wells (m. 1915) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Nebraska |
| Occupation | Farmer and auctioneer |
John Aufenkamp (November 30, 1893 – February 11, 1962) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 2nd district from 1953 to 1961.
Early life
Aufenkamp was born in Greenwood, Nebraska, on November 30, 1893.[1] He attended the College of Agriculture at the University of Nebraska.[2] He settled in Julian, where he was a farmer and auctioneer and served on the school board.[3]
In 1940, Aufenkamp ran for the Nemaha County Commission.[4] He narrowly won the Republican primary,[5] and defeated Democratic nominee W. D. Snyder in the general election by a thin margin.[6] He was re-elected unopposed in 1948 and 1952.[7][8]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1952, State Senator John McKnight declined to seek re-election, and Aufenkamp ran to succeed him in the 2nd district, which included Nemaha and Otoe counties.[9] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced U.S. Army sergeant William Bischof, Edward Bottcher, and Robert McKissick.[10][11] Aufenkamp placed first in the primary election by a wide margin, winning 45 percent of the vote to McKissick's 22 percent and Bottcher's 21 percent.[12] Shortly after the primary election, Knight resigned from the legislature, citing a need to focus on his business affairs, and Floyd Pohlman was appointed to serve out the remaining months of his term.[13] Pohlman did not run in the election, and Aufenkamp and McKissick advanced to the general election. Aufenkamp defeated McKissick by a wide margin, receiving 59 percent of the vote to McKissick's 41 percent.[12][14]
Aufenkamp was re-elected without opposition in 1954 and 1956.[15][16]
In 1958, Aufenkamp ran for a fourth term, and was challenged by William Brandt, an attorney and banker.[17] Aufenkamp placed first in the primary election, receiving 58 percent of the vote to Brandt's 42 percent, and in the general election, Aufenkamp defeated Brandt with 56 percent of the vote.[18][19]
Aufenkamp did not run for a fifth term in 1960, citing a need to return to his farm.[20] He was succeeded by Brandt.
Death
Aufenkamp died on February 11, 1962.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Sen. John Aufenkamp Dies at Julian; Services on Wednesday". Auburn Press-Tribune. February 13, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Nebraska Blue Book 1958 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1959. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Ex-Sen. John Aufenkamp's Rites Wednesday At Julian". Lincoln Star. February 13, 1962. p. 3. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Filed For Commissioner". Nemaha County Herald. Auburn, Nebraska. February 15, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "State Primary Vote Indicates Republican Majority: For County Commissioner in Second District in Both Democrat and Republican Parties It Was a Close Contest -- Both Nominees Prominent Farmers". Nemaha County Herald. Auburn, Nebraska. April 11, 1940. p. 46024. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Unofficial Vote Cast in Nemaha County at General Election, Nov. 5, 1940". Nemaha County Herald. Auburn, Nebraska. November 14, 1940. p. 10. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Nemaha Goes Republican". Nebraska City News-Press. November 8, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Will Go to the Polls in Big Election Tuesday". Nemaha County Herald. Auburn, Nebraska. October 28, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Six New Names In Election Race". Auburn Daily Tribune. February 28, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Nebraska City Army Sergeant Seeks Election to Legislature". Lincoln Evening Journal. January 14, 1952. p. 11. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Flurry of Filings Made by 'Last Minute' Candidates". Nemaha County Herald. Auburn, Nebraska. February 28, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1952). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, April 1, 1952, General Election, November 4, 1952 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Pohlman Gets Unicam Seat". Lincoln Evening Journal. April 16, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Republicans Sweep National, State, And Local Offices In Nemaha County". Auburn Daily Tribune. November 6, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Hanson, Odell (June 25, 1954). "Few 'Holes' Still on Nebraska Ballot for Primary Election". Fremont Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Twelve Senators Are Unopposed For Reelection". Star-Herald. Scottsbluff, Nebraska. November 4, 1956. p. 5. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Person, Betty (April 2, 1958). "Two Filings Complete Demo Primary Slate". Lincoln Star. p. 24. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Marsh, Frank (1958). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 13, 1958, General Election, November 4, 1958 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Upsets in Legislature; One Woman in, Another Out". Lincoln Evening Journal. November 5, 1958. p. 17. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Aufenkamp Retires from Legislature". Auburn Press-Tribune. March 1, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved April 22, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.