North Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Alfred Sorenson
1850 - 1939
Alfred Sorenson, the doyen of Omaha newspapermen, was a picturesque figure familiar around Omaha. His varied career led him to seek the offices of U.S. Senator twice and Congressman once. He was unsuccessful all three times, but remarked that he did it merely for "the joy of running and advertising."
Mr. Sorenson was born near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, educated at Racine College, and then graduated from Harvard Law School in 1870. He came to Omaha in 1871, joined the Omaha Bee, and in 1872 was made city editor, remaining in that capacity until 1881. He became city editor of the Omaha Republican for two years. Returning to the Bee as managing editor for five years, he then became managing editor of the Omaha Herald. From 1889 to 1899 he worked on newspapers in Denver, Salt Lake City, Butte, Montana, and San Francisco. After returning to Omaha, he started his own publication, the Examiner, which expounded his rare philosophy in editorial comment which was widely read and which was simply signed, ironically, "The Senator."
He also gave Omahans a great service through his book, The Early History of Omaha. Three editions of this popular work were published, in 1875, 1889, and 1923. An interesting and humorous writer, he also wrote many articles for magazines. His special sense of humor was ever present, as shown on his 70th birthday when he wrote his own obituary and sent it to Omaha newspapers for their morgues. (The paragraphs above are excerpted from the obituary Mr. Sorenson wrote nineteen years before his death in 1939.)
Beside Mr. Sorenson lie his wife, Mary, their daughters, Blanche and Grace, and Alexander MacKenzie, the husband of Mary's sister, Emma (who is buried elsewhere in the Cemetery). The stones to the south are those of Mary's father, William D. Brown, her mother, Martha, and her other sister, Helen Brown VanCamp. William Brown was the original owner of the Lonetree Ferry Company, which founded Omaha in 1854.
Historic marker dedicated on May 30, 1988
Erected 1988 by Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Entertainment • Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1965.
Location. 41° 16.695′ N, 95° 57.61′ W. Marker is in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It is in North Omaha. Marker is in Prospect Hill Cemetery, 3202 Parker Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Omaha NE 68111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Davis Brown (here, next to this marker); Andrew Jackson Poppleton (within shouting distance of this marker); John Wesley Nichols (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Francis Bauman (within shouting distance of this marker); Johan and Sophia Ahmanson (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish-American War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); James G. Megeath (within shouting distance of this marker); James M. Woolworth (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 622 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.