George A. Beecher

George Allen Beecher (February 3, 1868 - June 14, 1951) was the second and last bishop of the Episcopal Missionary District of Western Nebraska from 1910 to 1943. An alumnus of the University of Nebraska and Philadelphia Divinity School, he was consecrated on November 30, 1910.

Early life George Allen Beecher was born on February 3, 1868, in Monmouth, Illinois. His father was a farmer and owned a furniture store. When he was a boy, his family moved to Kearney, Nebraska. He attended Kearney High School and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1888. He graduated from Philadelphia Divinity School in 1892.

Career Beecher showcased his marksmanship skills while touring Europe with Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show. He was a guest of Buffalo Bill at his show in Chicago in 1901. He also did missionary work with early settlers and Native Americans in the Great Plains. In 1895, he was rector of the Church of Our Savior in North Platte. He remained in the role for eight years. During this period, he grew a relationship with Buffalo Bill and Union Pacific president William M. Jeffers. In 1903, he became rector of St. Luke's Church in Kearney. He was editor of the Western Nebraska Churchman and chaplain of the Nebraska National Guard. He published the autobiography A Bishop of the Great Plains (1950) from his daily journal of more than 40 years.

Awards In 1912, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the Philadelphia Divinity School. In 1939, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln, Nebraska.