John R. Bueter seems to have come to Nebraska City in 1855. He was not mentioned in the 1855 census possibly because he was included with the family of someone that was named. He may have come after the census was taken in October. His name is on the list of those who voted at Nebraska City on November 6, 1855, namely #244. In the census of 1856 he was listed with wife Margaret. (1) Mr. Bueter was senior partner in the mercantile firm of Bueter, Mollring & Petring, which was in business in January 1957. This firm dissolved partnership in August 1858. (2) Mr. Bueter continued in business as a merchant and was often mentioned as such. He made buying trips to the East about twice a year, often going as far as New York City. He must have done a heavy grocery business, for it is mentioned that he received on one steamboat a forty-ton shipment of groceries. (3) By March 1863 the partnership of Bueter, Mollring & Petring had been formed again and continued until March 1866. Mr. Bueter probably did most of the buying for the firm, for he is the only one mentioned going on buying trips. The amount of business done from July 1864 through June 1865 according to their report to the internal revenue assessor was $50,000. (4) In March 1866 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Petring withdrew. The firm now became Bueter & Mollring, a partnership that was still in existence in 1870. In July 1867 G. R. Dun & Co. reported that Bueter & Mollring was a general merchandise store with a capital between $10,000 and $25,000. (5) The federal census of 1860 listed John Bueter as a merchant, 29 years of age.
He was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany. They had two daughters, Adeline and Frances, ages 4 and 2, both born in Nebraska. Mr. Bueter's real estate was worth $1,500 and his personal property $3,000. (6) John Bueter was a man of local prominence almost from the time he settled at Nebraska City. In January 1858 he was a member of the reception committee when Governor Richardson visited the city. He served as judge of election at the city election in the Spring of 1858, and during the same year served on the jury. (7) In January 1860 he was appointed by the county commissioners as one of a committee to supervise the building of a bridge between Kearney City and the main part of Nebraska City. In doing this it was necessary to advertise for bids and let the contract. In February 1860 the commissioners appointed him to look after poor relief. In February he took part in a meeting to devise methods of improving trade with the West and took part in a meeting to consider city improvements. Mr. Bueter also found time to take part in the Democratic county conventions in February and in August 1860. (8) In June 1861 he served on the jury. In September 1862 he, with a great number of other citizens, signed a declaration of his support of the national administration. When the people of Otoe County voted bonds to build the steam wagon road, Bueter, Mollring & Petring subscribed for $200 worth of the bonds. (9) In August 1864 the Indians raided the Platte Valley and the country along the Little Blue and the Big Sandy, killing travelers, freighters, and settlers. Many of the settlers fled to the country east of the Blue River, leaving most of their possessions behind. Most of those who arrived in Nebraska City were in a destitute condition. The people were prompt in helping those refugees, and committees were appointed by various organizations to raise funds for their relief. John Bueter was a member of the committee representing the Catholic Church, which was authorized to receive these contributions. (10)
In October 1864 John Bueter was elected as a Democrat to the territorial legislature. The tenth territorial legislature, on which he was a member, met at Omaha January 5, 1865. He was appointed a member of two standing committees: Ways and Means, and Internal Improvements. A study of the house journal leads to the conclusion that the politicians of the territory ignored Mr. Bueter. On February 2 he was excused from further attendance during the season and went home. (11) Mr. Bueter was a member of the committee to prepare for the celebration at Nebraska City of the fall of Richmond. (12) John Bueter was listed as a merchant in Nebraska City in the 1870 census. His age was given as 39 years and the age of Margaret is 34. There were three children younger than those given in the 1860 census; John, age 8, Charles W., age 6 and Celia, age 3. Mr. Bueter's mother, Adeline Bueter, 89 years of age, was also listed with the family. The Bueter family was still listed as living in Nebraska City in 1880. Although Mr. Bueter was spending most of his time in the Black Hills at that time. There was one younger son in the family, Alfred, 9 years of age. (13) Mr. Bueter went to the Black Hills about 1876 and after a time decided to remain. From six to eight years later, his family followed and he was again able to establish his home. He died at Hot Springs, South Dakota, November 19, 1904 and was buried at Deadwood, his home. He was about 73 years of age. Of his several children one son was living in Alaska, the oldest daughter in Louisiana, and the youngest daughter in Johannesburg, South Africa. (14)
References:
(1) Territorial Census August 1856 Nebraska & Midwest Genealogical Record XVI.P32 Bennet-Chapman Contest Report #65
(2) Nebraska City News, 1857 January, 1858 August 21 P2(8)
(3) Nebraska City News, 1860 June 16 P3(1) August 11 P3(1) October 6 P3(1) 1861 February 16 P3(1) March 30 P3(1) 1862 May 1 P4(4), People’s Press 1860 August 9 P(1) 1862 May 1 P4(4)
(4) People’s Press 1863 March 26 P3(1, 3) 1864 February 9 P2(1) Nebraska City News 1865 July 22 P2(1)
(5) Nebraska City News 1866 March 10 P3(3) 1867 August 26 P3(1) 1868 May 8 P3(1) 1868 October 5 P2(3), Nebraska City Directory (Wolfe) 1870, G R Dun & Co. Mercantile Agency Reference Book July 1867
(6) Federal Census 1860 Otoe County Mss: Family #289
(7) Nebraska City News 1858 January 30 P3(2) March 27 P2(5), Commissioners Proceedings 1861 Otoe County Mss 1859 January 3
(8) Nebraska City News 1860 February 4 P3(1) February 17 P2(5), Commissioners Proceedings Otoe County Mss 1860 January 9 February 18, People’s Press 1860 February 21 P2(2) August 16 P5(4)
(9) Commissioners Proceedings 1861 June 3 July 1, Nebraska City News 1862 January 4 P 2(3) September 20 P2(2), People’s Press 1863 March 26 P3(1)
(10) People’s Press 1864 August 15 P2(2)
(11) Nebraska City News 1864 December 24 P2(1), People’s Press 1864 September 29 P2(2) October 20 P4(2) December 22 P4(2), Nebraska Advertiser (Brownville 1864 December 29 P2(4)
(12) Nebraska City News 1865 April 8 P2(1)
(13) Federal Census 1870 Nebraska City Second Ward Mss Family #143, Federal Census 1880 Nebraska City Second Ward Mss Family #71
(14) Nebraska City News 1904 November 25 P3(6)