Matthew J McBird

Matthew J. McBird was a successful architect who was working in Logansport Indiana at the time he was hired to design University Hall. McBird began his career as an architect working for the US Treasury Department in Washington DC before relocating to Logansport. He was acquainted with JD and RD Silver, University Hall contractors who also originated from Logansport. Quite possibly, McBird was also acquainted with future Nebraska governor, David Butler, who hailed from nearby Marion County.

McBird's plans for University Hall were accepted by the Nebraska Commissioners of Public Buildings, on June 2 1869. McBird left Logansport around this time and settled in Council Bluffs, Iowa.