Place of Birth: Columbus, Nebraska, U.S.
Date of Birth: December 31, 1955
Ethnicity: German
Jim Pillen is an American politician, veterinarian, livestock producer, and football player. A Republican, he has been Governor of Nebraska, since January 5, 2023. He played college football with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
He is the son of Dorothea Louise (Muhle) and Dale Daniel Pillen. Jim is married to Suzanne, with whom he has four children.
Jim’s paternal grandfather was Henry Pillen (the son of William Pillen and Gertrude Ripp). Henry was born in Nebraska. William was born in Erkrath, Kreis Mettmann, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Gertrude was the daughter of Peter Ripp, whose family was also from Nordrhein-Westfalen; and of Agnes Warringer.
Jim’s paternal grandmother was Otillie Kunigunda “Gunda” Melcher (the daughter of Fred Melcher and Theresa Huseman). Gunda was born in Nebraska. Fred was born in Michigan, the son of German parents, Johann “Bull” Melcher, who was born in Attendorn, Kreis Olpe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Francisca Schmelzer. Theresa was the daughter of Johann “John” Husemann and Mary Berg, whose parents were from Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
Jim’s maternal grandfather was Otto Karl Muhle (the son of Johann Herman Muhle and Bertha Lusche). Otto was born in Nebraska. Johann was born in Döhlen, Landkreis Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, the son of John/Johann Bernard Muhle and Catherine Loseke. Bertha was the daughter of German parents, Johann Heinrich “Henry” Lusche, who was born in Haast, Landkreis Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, and Katharina Margarete Niestädt, who was born in Grossenkneten, Landkreis Oldenburg, Lower Saxony.
Jim’s maternal grandmother was Louise Marie Bakenhus (the daughter of Johann Heinrich/Henry Bakenhus and Louise Sander). Jim’s grandmother Louise was born in Nebraska. Jim’s great-grandmother Louise was born in Hanover, Germany, the daughter of Henry Sander and Dorothea/Dorothy Lucie Hadelar.
Sources: Genealogies of Jim’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Jim’s father – https://www.newspapers.com
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