W. D. Olinger

Born in Virginia on 24 September 1843, he moved to Nebraska right before the civil war.  He served as a Private in Company B, 2nd Nebraska Cavalry.  He saw action against Chief Two Bears and 2,000 Yanktonai Sioux at the Battle of Whitestone Hill.  After the war he was Burt county Clerk in 1868, county superintendent in 1868 and Treasurer in 1870.  In 1888, the McCook Tribune had this to say about the man, "W. G. OLINGER, who was recommended for United States senator, has resided for thirty-three years in Tekamah,...farming...preaching in the M. E. Church. He is of gigantic size, being nearly seven feet in height."  His obituary read: Rev. W. D. Olinger, pastor of the Congregational Church at Christopher and widely known throughout Western Washington, died today [24 January 1913]. He tottered to his pulpit last Sunday, despite ill health, declaring he must talk to his people once more. A soldier in the Civil War and known for his resemblance to Lincoln, Rev. Mr. Olinger had been more than 30 years in the ministry." 

—The Oregonian, 25 January 1913, p.4 and Find-a-Grave, located by Adam Seaman

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