15 2 Nebraska State Horticultural Society. 



Was delegate to a convention held at Topeka, Kansas, 1857, by 

 Kansas and Nebraska citizens, to form a state constitution for a state 

 to be composed of northern Kansas and southern Nebraska. 



Was president of Trans-Missouri Irrigation Convention, held at 

 Denver, Colorado, in 1873. 



Was alternate United States commissioner to Philadelphia Cen- 

 tennial Exposition, 1876; was United States commissioner to Cotton 

 Centennial, New Orleans, 1884-85; member of the executive council, 

 and also special commissioner of the United States to American Expo- 

 sition at London, 1886. 



Was one of the eight United States commissioners-at-large World's 

 Fair, Chicago, 1893; president of the Nebraska Territorial Pioneers' 

 Association; first, and for five years, president of the State Historical 

 Society; was six years president of the International Association of 

 Fairs and Expositions; and also president of the American Association 

 of Fairs and Expositions; was United States commissioner for Ne- 

 braska; was twenty-two and a half years Secretary of the Nebraska 

 State Board of Agriculture. 



The last official trip he made to Lincoln he brought with him the 

 copy for his twenty-second and last annual report as Secretary of the 

 Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, which voltime testifies to his 

 vigilance, care and thoroughness of not only this but his life's work. 



Robert W. Furnas was more than a distinguished citizen. He was 

 esteemed universally with a profound regard amounting to reverence. 

 A leading spirit in all movements for general advancement and pros- 

 perity, inaugurated with a view of improvement, social, political and in- 

 dustrial. His constant devotion to educational, agricultural and his- 

 torical interests, and success in promoting and advancing sentiment for 

 Nebraska's welfare, is a monument testifying of his patriotism and 

 faith in the state's substantial resources and future welfare. 



The military history of Robt. W. Furnas appears without blemish, 

 no stain mars his political record, and his social life was an example 

 worthy of emulation. In every capacity he manifested steadfast zeal, 

 always fulfilling every duty and position acceptably and shrinking from 

 no responsibilitj'. Force of character, upright principles, and value of 

 reputation were marked features in the conduct of his life. Such was 

 the path chosen by Hon. Robt. W. Furnas, and he kept in the middle 

 of a peaceful, pleasant road. His lifelong motto was, "Leave this world 

 something the better for having lived in it," and to this end the best 

 years of his life were most unselfishly devoted. 



