President Franklin Pierce signs this historic act, creating the territories of Nebraska and Kansas. Omaha City is founded that same year.
Shortly after arriving in Omaha City, Augustus Kountze writes a letter to his former pastor, the Rev. W. P. Ruthrauff of Canton, Ohio, asking him to send a Lutheran minister to Omaha.
The Pittsburg Synod sends Rev. W. P. Ruthrauff to Nebraska Territory to purchase church lots.