Greene was an adherent of the Democratic Party, but was not politically active for most of his life.[4] He was a founder of the Populist or People's Party in Nebraska during the agrarian reform and free silver movements of the late 1880s, and gained a reputation as an effective orator on behalf of Populist causes and candidates.[5]In 1893, Greene was a candidate for the United States Senate.[6] He lost the Fusion nomination (Populists and Democrats) to William V. Allen, who went on to win the seat.[6]
In 1895, Greene was elected judge of Nebraska's 12th judicial district, and he served until 1897.[7] In 1896, Greene was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Populist, and he served until from March 1897 his death.[8]
Death and burial
After Congress adjourned in March 1899, Greene traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to observe the legislative election for U.S. Senator.[9] On March 10, he traveled from Lincoln to Omaha on business.[9] On March 11, Greene and several friends traveled from his Omaha hotel to the train station by carriage, and upon arrival at the station, his friends observed that he was lying down on the back seat.[9] They could not revive him, so they carried him into the train station and summoned medical aid.[9] A doctor soon arrived, who determined that Greene had died, and the cause of death was heart failure.[9]
Greene's funeral took place at First Baptist Church in Kearney.[10] He was interred in Kearney Cemetery.[11]
Family
In 1872, Greene married Emma Dowell of Shoals, Indiana.[12] They were the parents of seven children.[12]
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