Augustus Kountze

Augustus Kountze
Born	Template:Birth date Ohio, United States
Died	April 30, 1892(1892-04-30) (aged 65) New York City, United States
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, banker, philanthropist
Known for	Banking empire, Treasurer of Nebraska Territory and State, Union Pacific Railroad board member

Augustus Kountze (November 19, 1826–April 30, 1892) was a prominent American entrepreneur with business interests in Omaha, Nebraska, Kountze, Texas, and New York City. Together with his brothers Charles, Herman, and Luther, he helped build a distinguished national banking empire during the late 1800s.

In 1861, Augustus was named Treasurer of the Nebraska Territory and later became the inaugural Treasurer of the State of Nebraska in 1867. The following year, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him to the founding Board of Directors for the Union Pacific Railroad.

Biography

Augustus was born in 1826 in a rural area of Ohio, one of seven siblings born to Christian and Margaret Kountze (originally Kuntze). His father Christian, an immigrant from Saxony, Germany, settled in Osnaburg, Ohio, where he operated a grocery store and imparted business skills to his sons. Augustus departed his family home in 1854, relocating from Muscatine, Iowa to Omaha in 1855 to engage in real estate ventures.

In Omaha, Kountze developed an extensive portfolio covering banking, real estate, and railroads. Among his assets was the Omaha Horse Railway Company. He held the Treasurer position for both the Nebraska Territory and later the state from 1861 until 1869. In 1858, he spearheaded efforts to establish Nebraska as a mission field for the Lutheran Church, resulting in the state's first Lutheran worship service that December.

Banking and real estate

Until 1872, Kountze resided in Omaha, where he and his brother Herman acquired vast land holdings along the Missouri River, including areas such as Brownville, Nebraska City, Tekamah, Dakota City, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa. Their real estate investments extended throughout the Midwest and Western United States, with significant properties in Iowa, Minnesota, central and western Nebraska, as well as locations like Chicago, Denver, and East Texas. A notable transaction included facilitating the 1868 sale of land in North Omaha that became known as Fort Omaha.

In 1856, Augustus and Herman established Kountze Brothers Bank, which was later rebranded as the First National Bank of Omaha. The bank’s presidency was held by Omaha pioneer Edward Creighton until 1874. Augustus supervised construction of the First National Bank Building in Omaha. In 1866, his brother Charles founded the Colorado National Bank and appointed Augustus as senior member; similarly, brother Luther launched the Kountze Brothers Bank in New York City in 1868 with Augustus serving as senior member.

Railroads

Augustus Kountze maintained significant railroad interests throughout the western United States. He served as president of the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western Railroad and was a director of the consolidated Fitchburg Railroad until his passing. Alongside Herman, he supported the Omaha and Northwestern Railroad, while also investing in the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad and the Sabine and East Texas Railway. The town of Kountze, Texas was named in recognition of their railroad involvement. Augustus also acted as Government Director for the Union Pacific, playing a role in selecting its headquarters and critical facilities within Omaha.

His enterprises often worked synergistically; for instance, in 1880 he pursued completion of the Sabine and East Texas Railroad stretching from Beaumont, Texas to Rockland to facilitate marketing over 100 million board feet of virgin timber on adjacent land holdings.

In 1872, Kountze permanently moved to New York City to oversee expanding banking ventures. He also held a directorship at the New York Security and Trust Company. His New York residence hosted distinguished social gatherings such as a niece’s wedding in 1892.

Philanthropy

In 1885, Augustus Kountze provided the funds to establish the Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church in Omaha, honoring his father, Christian Kountze. This church continues to be a prominent feature in Downtown Omaha. Additionally, he supported the construction of churches in Ohio and made substantial donations to St. James Lutheran Church located in New York City.

Death

Kountze passed away in 1892 and was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx.

See also

• History of Omaha
• Founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska

External links

• Historic postcard depicting Kountze's First National Bank
• Historic postcard showing Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church
• Historic postcard featuring Kountze Park