In 1884 Meiklejohn was elected a member of the Nebraska Legislature, serving from 1884 to 1888. In 1886, he became president of the Senate, in 1887 the chairman of the Republican State convention, and in 1887 and 1888 chairman of the Republican State central committee. In 1889 he became the Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska and served until 1891. He was elected as a Republican to the 53rd and 54th Congresses (March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1897), but did not run for re-election in 1896. On April 14, 1897, U.S. President William McKinley appointed him the Assistant Secretary of War and he served through the Spanish–American War until March 1901.[1]
^ abc"George de Rue Meiklejohn". Political Graveyard. also known as George D. Meiklejohn — of Fullerton, Nance County, Neb. Born in Wisconsin, 1857. Republican. Lawyer; member of Nebraska state senate, 1885–88; Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, 1889–91; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 3rd District, 1893–97. Died in 1929 (age about 72 years). Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Calif.