Career
Serving in a variety of roles over his lifetime, his name is present throughout many of the important events of early Omaha history. Poppleton served in many political roles in pioneer Omaha. One of the founders of the Omaha Claim Club, Poppleton was also heavily involved in the enforcement of its rules over the city.
When the club went to the United States. Supreme Court, it was Poppleton who mounted the defense.
They lost. In a fluke in 1857, Poppleton served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Nebraska Territorial Legislature. After that, he was the second mayor of young Omaha, serving for six months from March 2, 1858 until September 14, 1858, when he resigned from office.
Poppleton was afterwards an influential real estate businessman and lawyer in Omaha. Poppleton worked for many years as the general attorney for the Union Pacific Railroad.
The most important case he ever argued was the 1879 trial of Standing Bear v.
Crook, held at Fort Omaha. Standing Bear, a Ponca chief, successfully argued in United States. District Court that Native Americans are "persons within the meaning of the law" and have the rights of citizenship. Poppleton died in 1896 and was interred at the Prospect Hill Cemetery in North Omaha.
Poppleton Street in Omaha is named in his honor.
The Poppleton Block in Downtown Omaha is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.