Omaha City (part 18 of 26)

After attending the public and parochial schools in South Omaha. George S. Collins when a youth of sixteen secured a position with the Cudahy Packing Company, with which he remained for several years. There he learned the butcher's trade, but the business was not to his liking and he entered mercantile lines as a grocery clerk, being thus employed until he reached the age of twentytwo. While occupying that position he became one of the organizers and members of the Retail Clerks Union. At the age of twenty-two he purchased a grocery store at Thirty-third avenue and U street, the purchase price lieing six hundred and fifty dollars, of which he borrowed four hundred dollars from his brother and gave a mortgage for the remainder, which was payable within six months. He met that financial obligation at the given time and paid the four hundred dollars indebtedness within a year, at the end of which time he was in possession of a stock all paid for and a trade that was growing steadily. He met with substantial success during the four and a half years in which he conducted that business and during that period he was also the chief support of the family. He then removed to Los Angeles, California, where he spent one winter, and during that time was engaged in the real estate business. He then returned to Omaha. While in Los Angeles without elTort or personal campaigning on his part he was elected to office and afterward became justice of the peace in South Omaha in 191 1 and was re-elected in 1914, serving in all for five years, or until the 3d of January, 191 7. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial, winning for him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." Since his retirement from that position he has been connected with the office of city and county treasurer as tax collector and in this office as in his previous connection he is found a faithful, loyal and capable official. He has always given his political support to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and does everything in his power to uphold the principles in which he believes.

In South Omaha on the 5th of June, 1906, Mr. Collins was married to Miss Catherine A. Kelly, a native of Iowa and a daughter of David and ^ilaria Kelly, who were pioneer residents of Iowa, of Irish descent, but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have become the parents of a daughter and three sons: Mary Claire, bom in Omaha, August 14, 1907; Richard S., December 19, 1909; Robert Emmet, February 5, 191 1, and George, in 191 5.

The family reside at No. 5615 South Thirty-third avenue, which property is owned by Mr. Collins in addition to other realty. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and an active worker in its interests. He is also a member and record keeper of the Knights of the jMaccabees, belongs to the Stags, in which he holds office, is secretary of the West Side Booster Club, president of the Holy Name Society, a member of the Royal Highlanders and the Eagles and president of Community Center Work. His interests are broad and varied and have much to do with the upbuilding of his church and the advancement of community welfare. He has always found time to cooperate in movements for the general good and that he is well qualified for leadership is indicated in the fact that he has been called to office in almost every organization wnth which he has been connected.

John M. Cook

Tliose familiar with the extensive and important operations of the Great Western Commission Com])any of South Omaha need no introduction to John M. Cook, for as one of the leading partners in that undertaking he is today widely known. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1863, a son of James A. and Adeline (Stratton) Cook, the former a native of Norwalk, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. In early life the father removed to the Keystone state, where he was married, and engaged in farming until the early '60s, when he became a resident of Michigan, settling in Berrien county. In 1872 he first saw Omaha, traveling through this city en route to Boone county. Nebraska, and settling near Albion. He there engaged in farming for a number of years and in 1888 he became a resident of Portland, Oregon, where he lived retired, his death occurring in 191 5, when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and died in 1895 at the age of sixty-two years. In their family were four children, of whom John INF. is the eldest. One of the number, Henry A., died at Petersburg, Nebraska, in 1914. Chandler C. Cook died in Michigan and the sister, Mrs. Birdie Steltz, is now living in Omaha.

Through the period of his boyhood and youth John M. Cook attended school in Michigan and in Albion, Nebraska, and afterward worked for his father until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he took up farming on his own account in Boone county, this state. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits for five years, at the end of which time he established his home in Albion and began operating in the grain and coal trade and in the live stock business. After remaining there for three years he removed to South Omaha in April, 1893, ^"-'^ here engaged in the commission business as a member of the firm of Perrine, Cook & Company, maintaining that connection for five years. He w^as also with the Mallory Commission Company as a partner and afterward he bought out the company, changing the name of the business to the Great Western Commission Company. In 19 14 his company absorbed the National Live Stock Commission Company of South Omaha and he associated himself with Edwin W. Cahow, who was manager of the National Live Stock Commission Company.

They control the largest business in their line in South Omaha, having interested with them and in their employ about thirty-five alert, energetic men, recognized as leaders in their departments, each one employed by reason of his superior ability in a particular line. Their hog department has long been recognized as a leader in Omaha and their sheep department without a superior on anv market. They are in fact the largest receivers of live stock in Omaha and their stockers and feeders are bought on order by special buyers and not by salesmen. Their business has now reached a very extensive volume and they are recognized as authority on any matter relating to tlie live stock business.

At Albion, Nebraska, on the ist of January, 1886, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Alsworth and they have three children : Mary C, who was born in Albion, Nebraska, in April, 1889, and is a graduate of the Omaha high school; liazel, who was born in South Omaha in 1894 and is a graduate of tile Omaha high school, v.diile at the present time she is attending the University of Nebraska; and Tinabell, who was born in 1897 and is now a senior in the high school at Omaha.

Mr. Cook is a republican yet follows an independent course if he so desires, never feeling himself bound by party ties. He and his family attend the Baptist church and he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum. Laudable ambition has constituted the stimulus that has enabled him to work his way upward from a humble position. Step by step he has advanced through the exercise of his growing powers and today liis name is a well known and honored one in live stock circles.

Theodore Tillotson

Theodore Tillotson, president of the Mutual Live Stock Commission Company, was born in Omaha, January 19, 1875, a son of E. A. and Laura (Williams) Tillotson, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of the state of New York. About 1866 the father came to Nebraska, settling at Blair, and for thirty-five years he was connected with the railway mail service but is now living retired, making his home in Portland, Oregon, at the age of seventy-three years, while his wife has reached the age of seventy years. In their family were four children : Walter, a cattle buyer with Armour & Company at South Omaha ; Theodore, and two daughters, L. P. and M. C. the former living in Portland and the latter in Eugene, Oregon.

Reared in Omaha, Theodore Tillotson attended the public schools to the age of fifteen years and then started out to earn his own living. Leaving home, he went to northeastern Wyoming, where he worked on large cattle ranches, herding cattle as a cowboy. Upon his return to Omaha he became connected with the National Live Stock Commission Company, doing business in the Exchange building at the stock yards in South Omaha. He remained with that concern for eight years, when in 1914 he joined wnth others in establishing the Mutual Live Stock Commission Company. He has a wide acquaintance and is unusually popular among the prominent cattlemen of Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Iowa. His wide acquaintance proved to him a valuable asset when he started out in business on his own account, for the cattlemen of the west became his patrons when in December, 1914, he organized the Mutual Live Stock Commission Company, of which he became the president with C. S. Hibbard and R. C. Martin as the vice presidents and B. C. Johnson as secretary and treasurer. The business was incorporated and the firm is today controlling a commission business scarcely excelled by any of the firms in the Exchange building in the Union Stock Yards. They handle as high as five hundred carloads of cattle some months in the conduct of their business transactions. They are all men of well-known ability and Mr. Tillotson has had wide experience on the

On the 5th of December, 1900, Mr. Tillotson was united in marriage to Miss Olive P. Waddell, of Emporia, Kansas, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. P. Waddell, are well known and prominent people of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson have two children: Allen W., who was born January 16, 1905, and is now attending school in Omaha, and Marjorie, born December 13, 1912.

In his political views Mr. Tillotson is a republican, well versed on the questions and issues of the day but not an ofifice seeker. He has attained high rank in Masonry, having taken the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including the thirtysecond, and he has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise identified with the Elks, the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Arcanum. He also has membership in the Seymour Lake Country Club, in the Omaha Athletic Club and still other social organizations. The life record of Mr. Tillotson at every point has been creditable. Starting out when a youth of fifteen to make his own way in the world, he came to a full realization on the western plains of the fact that only personal worth and merit count as real assets in life. He learned the effectiveness of untiring industry, close application and perseverance, doing thoroughly everything that he undertook, and his life has been a demonstration of the fact that power grows through the exercise of effort.

Jerry M. Fitzgerald

[errv M. Fitzgerald, countv assessor of Douglas countv and a resident of Omaha, was born October 4, 1864, in County Tipperary, Ireland. His father, William Fitzgerald, spent his entire life in Ireland, where he followed the occupation of farming. The mother. Johanna (Meagher) Fitzgerald, also remained a resident of Ireland throughoUL her entire life and there reared her family of ten children, of whom Jerry M. was the second in order of birth.

Amid the usual environments of the farm bred boy Jerry M. Fitzgerald spent his youthful days. acc|uiring his education in the national schools and assisting in the development and cultivation of the home ])lace until he reached the age of twenty-seven years, when in 1891 he bade adieu to friends and native country and crossed the Atlantic, making his way direct to Nebraska. He had no acquaintances here except his brother, James J. Fitzgerald, who was shipping clerk with the Omaha Packing Company and who is now secretary of the Commercial Savings & Loan Association. A sister, Mrs. John J. Buckley, has resided in Omaha since 1902. After reaching this city Jerry M. Fitzgerald was employed at manual labor by the Omaha and Cudahy Packing Companies. His faithfulness and capability led to his promotion to a clerkship and he remained with the said companies for eight years. After his brother became tax commissioner of South Omaha Jerry M. Fitzgerald became first district deputy and later served as head deputy in the commissioner's office, this being his first step in public life. Fle also occupied the position of head deputy under Thomas J. O'Neal, William Queenan and J. N. Williams, serving in that capacity from 1901 until 1910. In the latter year he was elected tax commissioner and occupied the office for two terms, being the incumbent during the third term at the time of the annexation. He was then appointed by Mayor Dahlman clerk of the police court and at the fall election of 1916 was chosen for the office of county assessor by a majority of over two thousand. His political support is given to the democratic party and he is an active worker in its ranks. During his connection with the commissioner's office he served under two republicans, a fact indicative of his fidelity to duty and the appreciation of his faithful service on the part of his superiors. Moreover, he was the only person in a similar position to be re-elected for a second term and at the time he \vas chosen for a third term he had the largest vote given to any candidate on the democratic ticket. When nominated for his second term he was absent in California for the benefit of Iiis health and the nomination was made without his knowledge or consent. Mr. Fitzgerald belongs to the Roman Catholic church, the Knights of Colurnbus, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Centurion Club. He is a typical representative of the Irish race in their adaptability and fitness for leadership. The merit system has brought him to his present position in political circles and made him a most efficient officer in the various places which he has filled.

Andrew B. Anderson

Andrew B. Anderson, filling the position of postmaster at Florence, has been a lifelong resident of Douglas county, his birth having occurred in Omaha, Nebraska, December 8, 1883. His father, Andrew B. Anderson, Sr., was a native of Denmark and in early manhood came to the new world, making his way direct to Omaha, where he followed railroad work as an employe of the Union Pacific. He continued in that connection until his death, which occurred in 1904, and in his passing the community lost one of its substantial citizens. There were but two children in the family, of whom Andrew B. Anderson is the elder and the only son.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Andrew B. Anderson of this review acquired a public school education in Florence, to which place his father removed with his family in 1896. When his school days were over the son became connected with the postoffice and Vv^as active in the rural free delivery service from 1905 until 1910. In January of the latter year he was appointed postmaster of Florence'and was reappointed in 1912, for in that year the office was changed from a fourth to a third class office, causing the necessity for reappointment. He has made a most excellent record in office by his promptness, fidelity and reliability. He is systematic in all that he does.

In August, 1915, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Mrs. Grace Miller, of Hull, Iowa, a daughter of Frank Russell, who was born in that state and became an early stage driver of Nebraska. He is now a resident of South Omaha.

Fraternally Mr. Anderson is well known, being identified with several organizations, including the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Aside from his service as postmaster he is a member of the volunteer fire company and has been clerk for the past ten years. His fellow townsmen recognize him as a citizen of worth, always loyal to the best interests of his community, and wherever he is known he is spoken of in terms of high regard.

George W. Covell

The summons comes to one after another and there is a vacancy left in the ranks where before the activity of the individual was working out results for the benefit of the many. The life work of George W. Covell entitles him to mention among the valued and representative citizens of Omaha who have cornpleted their labors and have passed on. He died in the year 1916 after a residence of almost three decades in Omaha. He came to this city in 1887 after having lived for a number of years in Nebraska City. He was a native of Hoosick Falls, New York, and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the schools there he completed his more specifically literary education by graduation from Genesee College of New York with the class of 1857. He afterward began reading- law and was thus engaged in Maysvillc, Missouri, at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, when he joined the Confederate army and served throughout the period of hostilities, participating in the siege of Vicksburg and in the last battle at Franklin. Tennessee. He was there wounded and was incarcerated at Fort Delaware until the close of the war. He at one time held the rank of first lieutenant and was afterward promoted to the captaincy of his company.

Following the close of hostilities Mr. Covell became a resident of Michigan and aftenvard removed to Nebraska City, where he entered upon the general practice of law, in which he continued until 1887, when he removed to Omaha. There he continued up to the time of his death and during that period he was connected with much important litigation that won widespread attention. It seemed that he was ever ready for any emergency that might arise in the trial of a case and he marshalled his evidence with the precision of a military commander who arranges his forces for battle. He seemed to recognize almost intuitively the vulnerable point in an opponent's position and to prepare for the defense of his own position. Aside from his law practice he dealt to a considerable extent in real estate and laid out the Covell addition near the institution for the deaf and dumb.

In 1873, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Mr. Covell was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hewitt, a native of Maryland, and to them was born a daughter, Anna. Mrs. Covell became a charter member of the \\'omen's Club of Omaha but afterward withdrew from connection therewith. She has been a very prominent and active worker in the Woman's Christian Temj^erance Union and is ^low state superintendent of the franchise department. She has worked in behalf of the cause of temperance for thirty years and she will undoubtedly live to see the day when prohibition will find a place on the statutes of the country. At one time she was a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy.

Mr. Covell always gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and three times was elected to represent his district in the state legislature. He was first chosen in 1872, becoming a member of the lower house, and afterward he was elected to the senate. Fraternally he was a prominent Mason, attaining high rank in the order and becoming a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also had membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. Those who knew him best entertained for him the highest regard, for his life record was always one that would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. He drew men to him with ties of friendship and respect and he seemed always to call out the best in others. His genuine worth made him widely and favorably known and his death was therefore the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

Dr. John S. Van Keuren. physician and surgeon of South Omaha, was born January 6, 1872, in Jordan, New York, the youngest in a family of five children whose parents were Robert S. and ]Martha (Sperry) Van Keuren, who were also natives of the Empire state, although the former was of Dutch and the latter of English descent. The first of the paternal ancestors in this country was originally called Von Bomel and came to America in the early part of the seventeenth century, settling at New Amsterdam. In succeeding generations, however, the family name has undergone transformation to its present form. Robert S. Van Keuren was a successful farmer of Ncav York and passed away in that state December 25, 1908, at the age of seventy years and eleven months. His wife died August 3, 1903, at the age of sixty-seven years.

At the usual age Dr. Van Keuren became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and after attending high school there also became a pupil in the high school at Syracuse, New York. Later he was a student in the Cortland (N. Y.) Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1895 3.nd then, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the Syracuse University as a student in the College of Medicine at Syracuse, New York. He won his professional degree upon graduation with the class of 1901 and before the completion of his course he serv^ed as extern with the IMaryland General Hospital for a year. He entered upon the independent practice of medicine at Randolph, Cedar county, Nebraska, in 1901 but after a biief period removed to Fullerton, Nebraska, and from March, 1908, until January, 1914, practiced at Carlisle, New York. He then located in Omaha, where he has since successfully followed his profession and is now accorded a large practice, the duties of which he performs most promptly and conscientiously, fully recognizing the obligations and responsibilities that devolve upon him.

On the 29th of June, 1902, in Randolph, Nebraska, Dr. Van Keuren was married to Miss Florence Seaverns, a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Isaac Winslow Seaverns, who belonged to an old Illinois family and is now living in Randolph, Nebraska, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was for many years a railroad engineer. He married Julia Pinkney, who is also still living. Dr. and Mrs. Van Keuren have a daughter, Mary Carolyn, born in Jordan, New York, July 13, 1903.

The parents are members of St. ]\Iartin's Episcopal church of South Omaha and during the period of their residence in this city they have gained the warm friendship of many, so that the hospitality of many of the best homes is freely accorded them. Dr. Van Keuren gives his political support to the republican party but has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties, in which connection he has made for himself a creditable name and place.

J. B. Root

When one thinks of Omaha commercially it is as the great center of the live stock industry of the country'. Perhaps no other business has been so great a source of wealth to the city or called forth to greater extent the enterprise and ability of its leading business men. Connected with that business is J. B. Root, who is one of Omaha's native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 3d of September, 1875, his parents being Allen and Julie Adelaide (Goodwill) Root, both of whom were natives of New York and came west to Omaha in 1855. The city had scarcely then been begun. It was only the previous year that the first white family had taken up their abode upon what is now the site of the city. For a time Mr. Root engaged in carpentering and later he took up his abode upon a farm about seven miles southwest of Omaha. He also owned property that included the site of the Fontenelle Hotel and extended along what is now Douglas street. He continued to engage in farming in Douglas county and m the live stock business but disposed of his city property as early as 1880. He began operating at the stock yards in the early '90s as a member of the American Commission Company. He continued to make his home ni Omaha nintil 1904, when death called him in the seventy-sixth year of his age. It was after he came to Omaha that he wedded Julie A. Goodwill, who passed away m 1902 at the age of sixty-six years.

J. B. Root was the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten children. He acquired his education in Douglas county and his was the usual experience and training of the boy on the farm and in the frontier town. Eventually he engaged in the live stock business with his father in 189 1 and remained in that connection until 1894. when he sold out. In the latter year he became connected with the hog department of the Union Stock Yards as a representative of Teufel & McVicker, with whom he remained for seven years. He later entered the employ of Livingston & Schaller and remained with that company as a director for several years but withdrew on the ist of January, 1909, to embark in business on his own account. This he has since successfully conducted and he is now one of the well known live stock dealers of the city.

In 1907 occurred the marriage of Mr. Root and Miss Ida Dorothy Wohlers, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Wohlers, who for a half century have been residents of Douglas county. The three children of this marriage are: Doris Lucille, who was born in Omaha, December 13, 1909, and is now attending school; Viola Mary, bom August 3, 1912; and Jamin Frederick, bom March

In politics Mr. Root maintains a somewhat independent course although he often votes with the democratic party. He does not, however, consider himself bound by party ties and his ballot is governed by his judgment concerning the capability of a candidate. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He stands high in matters of citizenship, for his influence is always on the side of progress and improvement. What he has accomplished in the business world shows the force of his character. He has worked diligently and discriminatingly and, thoroughly studying the business situations and conditions relative to his chosen life work, he has progressed along lines leading to a most desired goal.

Peter Bertrand Haight

Prominent and successful was Peter P)ertrand Haight as an Omaha business man and the commercial interests which he established and developed contributed in substantial measure to the material upbuilding of Omaha as well as to his individual fortunes. He was born in Ionia, Michigan, November 26, 1859, a son of Marvel Garrison and Electra Ann (Gate) Haight. The father was a prosperous farmer who in his later years removed to Omaha and retired from active business, his death occurring several years ago.

Peter B. Haight supplemented his public school education by a business course at Ionia. Michigan, and started out in the commercial world in connection with the grocery trade. He began with a very small store in Omaha in 1891 and gradually increased his stock as his patronage grew and developed until he was at the head of an extensive business with its ramifying trade relations covering a wide western territory with two centers - a wholesale grocery house in Omaha conducted under the name of P. B. Haight & Company and another in Kansas City, Missouri, carried on under the name of the Western Buyers' Association. These, however, constituted only one phase of his business activity, for he also became the owner of two drug stores in Omaha, the Crissey Pharmacy at Twenty-fourth and Lake streets, now known as the Adams & Haight Drug Company, and another, known as the Saratoga Drug Company, located at Twenty-fourth street and Ames avenue. Since the death of Mr. Haight his widow has sold the second one but has recently established another drug store at Twenty-fourth a.nd Fort streets under the name of the Adams-Haight Drug Company. Mr. Haight's property interests in Omaha included a two-story brick building at TAventy-fourth and Lake streets which is still in the possession of his widow. He likewise owned a stock ranch at Parsons, Kansas, on which he engaged in raising fine horses and Jersey cows. He had a ranch of six hundred and forty acres in Moore County, Texas.

On the 4th of February. 1907, at Dallas, Texas, Mr. Haight was united in marriage to Miss Eva Belle Hanway, a daughter of Brougham and Sarah Frances (Pulhamus) Hanway. After finishing school Mrs. Haight went into her father's dry goods store and after his death continued in the business in Texas and

Peter B. Haight

Oklahoma until her marriage. She is a most capable business woman and since her husband's demise has carefully and wisely controlled and developed the interests which he left.

Mr. Haight attended the Christian church and lived an upright, honorable life, commending him to the confidence and warm regard of all with whom he was associated. In politics he was non-partisan, always voting for the men whom he regarded as best qualified for the office. He passed away July 28, 1908, and those who knew him mourned the loss of a friend whose many excellent traits of character had endeared him strongly to all. His business career, too, indicated the force of his character and his capability, for along the well defined lines of trade and commerce he achieved his success, employing constructive methods and never basing his advancement upon another's failures.

Colonel Michael R. Murphy

Few men in any line of endeavor have gamed the prominence or have risen to so high a plane in commercial circles through the merit system alone as Colonel Michael R. Murphy, who is now general manager of all the Cudahy plants. In the packing house industry there are hundreds of thousands of employes, and when one stops to consider that of all these the real leaders scarcely number fifty, it is evident that they deserve more than passing notice in a work of this character, for Omaha has largely been built up through its packing house interests, having several of the largest enterprises of the kind in the world. One of these is owned by the Cudahy Packing Company, with Colonel Murphy at its head. He has grown up wnth this company, advancing step by step until he is now general manager not only of the Omaha plant but of all the Cudahy packing houses of the countr>% his association with the company covering nearly forty years. _ _

Colonel Murphy was born in Elgin, Illinois, May 14, i860, and is a son of William and Mary (Ryan) Murphy, both of whom were born in Ireland. They came to America in the early '50s, settling first in New York, and later they removed to Chicago, afterward becoming residents of Elgin, Illinois. The father during his active career was connected with mercantile interests, and he passed away in Elgin in 1863. The mother was educated in Ireland but was married in New York and spent her last days in Chicago, where she died in 191 3. In their family of six children Colonel Murphy was the fifth. In his boyhood he attended public schools and afterward became a student in the Christian Brothers College of Chicago. Following his graduation he secured a position with the Armour Packing Company of Chicago in 1879 and continued in that employ until 1887. Starting in a minor position,- his industry' and willingness won him the attention of the heads of the Armour Company and when the Armour-Cudahy Packing Company decided to establish its main plant at Omaha he was transferred to this city as hog buyer, a very important position connected with the packing business and one that requires good judgment and skill combined with years of preparatory training. Colonel Murphy bought the first hogs that were killed at the new plant when it was established at South Omaha. From that position he rose to higher offices until he reached his present place of responsibility as general manager of all the Cudahy packing plants, having under his supervision hundreds of employes and controlling the investment of millions of dollars annually.

On the 30th of January-, 1885, Colonel Murphy was married in Chicago to Miss Anna M. Wall, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wall, well known in that city. Eight children have been born of this marriage. John \\'all, the eldest, born in Chicago, is now married and resides at Fort Worth, Texas. He has three children : John, Owen and James. Mrs. George L. Laier, who was born in Chicago, resides in Omaha, and has two children, George and \ lelen. Nan, born in Omaha, is a graduate of the Sacred Heart Academy of this city. Mrs. N. C. Lear, born in Omaha, where she still resides, has one child, Edward Lear. Edward and Helen, twins, were born in Omaha and the former now resides in St. Joseph, Missouri. Katherine died at the age of three years. George completes the family. The sons all attended the public schools and Creighton College.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Colonel Murphy is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a democrat and he won his title through serving on the governor's staff. He is justly accounted one of the prominent business men of the city, yet is always approachable, courteous and genial. His course has ever commanded respect and he has, moreover, those qualities which make his friendship prized by all who have won it.

Dr. Byron Webster Hall, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Benson, was born in Villisca, Montgomery county, Iowa, June 26, 1877, a son of Calvin H. and Rebecca (Overman) Hall. The father was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1837 and was a son of William and Nancy (Hight) Hall, who were natives of Vermont and New Hampshire respectively. The greatgrandfather was Samuel Hall, likewise a native of Vermont. It is believed that this family was founded in America by one of the original Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower. Representatives of the family served in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather and his granduncles, Chandler Hall and Randall Hall, were soldiers in the War of 1812, being with the command that invaded Canada. They were all of Puritan stock. William Hall, the grandfather, removed from Vermont to Maine and there spent his remaining days, following the occupation of farming as well as of lumbering. He lived to be seventy-five years of age.

Calvin H. Hall started out in life independently when a youth of eighteen years, going first to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he secured employment in the cotton mills. There he remained for two years, w^hen he entered the employ of Curtis & Boynton, packers and dealers in ice, at Boston. He continued with that firm for three and one-half years and then took charge of the retail business, in Faneuil Hall market, of John P. Squire, a prominent pork packer of East Cambridge, doing at that time the largest business in his line in the world. In 1861 Mr. Hall went to Cuba to establish a cold storage station for the Squire & North Company and upon his return was at supper in Mobile, Alabama, when the first Confederate congress met. They visited the same hotel and were at supper at the same time when Mr. Hall was partaking of his meal. He was trying to make his way northward and to this end associated himself with the Confederate soldiers but kept his intention quiet. He was present when the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter, but he utilized his opportunities to make his way northward to Boston and accomplished this purpose. Soon after he became associated with John P. Squire and Charles North in operating in the oil fields at Petrolia, Canada. Making their way to that district, they struck the first oil found in the district. Mr. Hall being in charge at that time. They were unable to find a market for the product in that country and the duty on oil prevented profitable shipment to the United States. Mr. Hall then went to Zanesville, Ohio, and bored several dry wells. He afterward went to Chicago, where he became hog buyer for J. P. Squire and Charles H. North of Boston. In 1869 he removed to Iowa, where he engaged in the live stock business. He was present at the opening of the Burlington Railroad at Villisca and was there introduced to his future wife. For thirty-eight years he continued in the live stock business, in which connection he covered southwestern Iowa and northern Missouri and became widely known as a very competent and successful stockman.

In 1907 Mr. Hall removed to Nebraska and promoted and opened the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Benson, of which he became the first president, maintaining this association with the bank until his death, which occurred March 31, 1 91 5, his remains being interred at A'illisca. The cemetery at Villisca, a most beautiful one, was donated by Byron W. Hall's maternal grandfather, Elijah Overman, to the city, the land having been a portion of the homestead which he took up as a claim from the government in 1856. Calvin H. Hall was a man of most remarkable memory and this constituted one of the features in his business success. He became widely known in various sections of the country, and his many sterling traits of character, as manifest in his business and social relations, gained for him high regard.

Dr. Hall was the eldest of his three children. At the usual age he became a public school pupil and passed through consecutive grades to the high school, after which he engaged with his father in the live stock business for a couple of years. He then went to Omaha in 1897 and entered the medical department of the University of Nebraska, from which he was graduated in April, 1901. He later practiced in Bennington until 1906, when he came to Benson, where he has since followed his profession, and he is recognized as an able physician and surgeon whose wide professional knowledge is used to good account for the benefit of his fellowmen. He is also associated with his brother, Cushman C, in the ownership and conduct of a fanii of two hundred acres twelve miles west of the Omaha courthouse, whereon they buy and raise and feed sheep and cattle, conducting a successful business in that connection.

On the 8th of July, 1903, Dr. Hall was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Julia A. Warner, of East Jordan, Michigan, by whom he has a son, Calvin H. Dr. Hall belongs to the Omaha-Douglas County ]\Iedical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Association and the American Medical Association, and he is deeply interested in all that pertains to the profession or that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call Hfe. He has developed pronounced ability in his chosen calling, and that the public recognizes his skill is indicated in his steadily growing practice.

Jorgen Michaelsen

Jorgen Michaelsen, supreme secretary of the Danish Brotherhood, was bom in Denmark, December 7, 1864, a son of the late Michael and Christiana (Anderson) Christiansen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark, where the father followed the blacksmith's trade in order to provide for his family. To him and his wife were bom nine children, of whom Jorgen was the eighth.

After attending the public schools of his native land until he reached the age of eleven, Jorgen Michaelsen started out in the business world to earn his living, being first employed as a cattle and sheep herder, for which he received the sum of twelve crowns and his board in payment for the summer's work. He continued to attend school in the winter months until he reached the age of fourteen and since that time his education has been supplemented by valuable lessons learned in the school of experience. For a time he was employed in a distillery in Hjorring, Denmark, where he continued for three and one-half years. He afterward spent twelve months as a farm hand and in 1882 he emigrated to the new world, making his way direct to Omaha, where he arrived on tlie 6th of July, joining an older brother, J. P. Michaelsen, who had preceded him three years but who is now deceased. After reaching the new world Jorgen Michaelsen was employed at hard labor for three years, spending a part of that time in the employ of the Omahca & Council Bluffs Railway Company. He also spent seven years as an employe of the Burlington Railroad at the depot, after which he became letter carrier, having- passed the civil service examination. He was then employed by the government for eleven years, at the end of which time he was elected to his present office of supreme secretary of the Danish Brotherhood, occupying the position continuously since 1902. He is in thorough sympathy with the purposes of the order and he has contributed not a little to its success. When he came to his present position the membership numbered eighty-two hundred, while today there are twenty-two thousand names upon its rolls.

In Omaha, July 20, 1884, Mr. Michaelsen was married to Miss OHne Ericksen, a native of Denmark, and a daughter of the late Christian Ericksen. There are eight living children of this marriage: Mary, the wife of A. W, Blakewell, of Leith, North Dakota; Harry, a farmer of Page. North Dakota; Tillie, the wife of John Tibke, a farmer of Leith; Ruth, who is married and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; and Howard, Mabel, Herbert and Verna, all at home.

When Mr. Michaelsen came to the new world he was indebted to his brother for his passage money, but he has since utilized every opportunity to win legitimate success and advancement and his present substantial position is in marked contrast to his condition when he came to the United States. His life has been an active and useful one and commands for him the goodwill of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He is treasurer of the Danish Building Society, formed for the purpose of erecting an auditorium for Danish societies and organizations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He belongs to the Letter Carriers' Association, to the Danish Brotherhood and to St. John's Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., while the rules which govern his conduct are further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Danish Lutheran church.

Eugene P. Melady

Eugene P. Melady, member of the Melady Brothers Live Stock Commission Company of Omaha and sportsman enjoying a national reputation as an advocate of clean sports, has in all of his undertakings, whether business or recreation, been actuated by a spirit of fair play. He was born in P'aribault county, Minnesota, February 26, 1872, a son of the late James Melady, a native of County ]\Ieath, Ireland, who came to America at the age of twelve years, settling in Massachusetts in 1848. There he married and in the early '60s removed to Minnesota, becoming one of the pioneer residents of that state. For thirty years he was engaged in the coal business in St. Paul and took an active part in political and civic matters there, serving for twelve years as alderman and at all times supporting those plans and measures which he deemed of value to the community. In his business affairs he won substantial prosperity and was long regarded as a leading citizen and man of high principles and honor. He passed away in 1909, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Kane, was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, and when a maiden of fourteen summers was brought to the United States by her. parents, who settled in Cherry Valley, near Worcester, Massachusetts, where her marriage was celebrated. She died in 1897, at the age of sixty-two years. In the family were eleven children, eight of whom are yet living.

Eugene P. Melady was educated in the parochial schools of St. Paul, Minnesota, and in Notre Dame University of Indiana, pursuing his studies to the age of nineteen years, when he started out to earn his own livelihood. His initial business experience came to him in a clerical capacity in the wholesale paper house of his brother, John P. Melady. who was then and now is one of the leading wholesale paper dealers of St. Paul, Minnesota. He remained in that connection until 1898, when he entered the Hve stock commission business with Thuet Brothers in South St. Paul. He afterward spent eighteen months at Sioux City, where he conducted a branch business for the firm and thence came to Omaha for the firm in 1900. He conducted the interests of the company at this point until 1910, when he was admitted to a partnership. In 1913 he and his brother, Lawrence Melady, purchased the business, which they have since conducted most sticcessfully under the name of the A'lelady Brothers Live Stock Commission Company. In addition E. P. Melady is treasurer of the South Omaha Live Stock Exchange, which oftice he is filling for the third term. His business is a growing and profitable one and he occupies a prominent position among the commission men of the city.

In Chicago, on the 22d of November. 191 1. ^Ir. Melady was married to Miss Hilma Grace Anderson, a native of Omaha. They now have one child, Eugene Patrick. Jr., born December i, 1912. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Melady is also identified with the Knights of Columbus. He also has membership in the Omaha Athletic Club. In politics he is an active supporter of democratic principles but has never sought nor desired office for himself and in fact has several times declined to fill public positions. However, he is now aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Neville of Nebraska. As stated, he enjoys a national reputation as an advocate of clean sports and is a true reformer in that line. He has promoted some of the most important sporting events ever held in Omaha and in the west. In Collyer's Eye appeared the following: "Gene ^lelady of Omaiia has projected himself into the limelight as aboutthe only high class wrestling promoter of whom the United States may now boast. Melady has his own ideas of the mat game, in which incidentally he is interested only through sheer love of the sport, and the cornerstone of his sporting creed is 'Protect the public, first, last and all the time.' The Omaha promoter is opposed to guarantees; that boxers and wrestlers should be compelled to do business on their merits and that neither promoter nor the public should be made the 'goat' of frenzied finance athletes at any time. ^ Melady made a tremendous hit with all lovers of wrestling and the clean sportsmen of the country by the manner in which he handled the recent match between Joe Stecher and Strangler Lewis. He made the men go as long as it was humanely possible and it was not his fault that the match did not result in a fall. That boilt. however, taught Melady the final lesson and hereafter any athletes who wrestle under his auspices will terminate their bout in a fall or it will cost them money as is evidenced by the offer Alelady has made for the Hackenschmidt-Stecher match which appears in another column. IMelady's business motto is 'one hundred per cent service.' He's also one hundred per cent square sportsman." , - , ,

Mr. Melady has also proposed the state athletic commission law. which has many splendid measures, including the establishment of a commission to be appointed by the governor which shall have "sole direction, management and control of, and jurisdiction over, all boxing and sparring matches and exhibitions to be conducted, held or given within the state by any club, corporation or association ;" that it "shall make to the legislature a full report of its proceedint^s * "^ '' No boxing or sparring match or exhibition shall be held on Sunday * " * No intoxicating liquor shall be given away, sold or offered for sale in any building or part thereof, in which boxing or sparring exhibitions are being conducted." The highest standards of clean sport in every particular are the features of this proposed commission law as set forth by Mr. Melady, \yho has studied every phase of the question. The foremost sport critic of America said of him he "needs no special heralding at our hands, as already his name is one to conjure by everywhere that sports are known, from one end of the land to the other - a unique celebrity acquired bv the unswerving and scrupulously straightforward exactitude that has characterized every venture he has been connected with Gene Meladv will countenance nothing in or out of sport that cannot stand the full glare of the middav sun, and therein lies the secret of his great success and greater popularity. And it must not lie thought, either, that he is in the game for revenue onl\ . for lie is not, but sini])ly for the personal pleasure, the delightful relaxation from his arduous duties in the workaday world, - he gets out of it, and with the one idea of putting it on the same pojiular jilane with baseball, golf and tennis."

Dr. James S. Loney, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Omaha since 191 1 and also active as local surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, was born in Iowa City, Iowa, July 10, 1886, and was the youngest of the five children of Patrick and Julia (Connor) Loney. The father was born in Ireland and came to America in 1861, settling first in Rochester, New York, whence in 1868 he removed to Iowa City, Iowa, becoming one of the pioneer residents of that section of the state, where he successfully followed farming for many years. He is now living retired in Omaha at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, a native of Ohio and of Irish descent, died in 1886 at the age of thirty-five vears, when her son James was but three months old.

Reared in his native city, James S. Loney there pursued a public school education until he had completed the high school course. Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he then entered the Creighton University Medical College and won his professional degree in 191 1. His early life was spent upon the farm but at the age of twenty-two years he started out to earn a living independently. Following his graduation he became local surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad with headquarters in Omaha and is still acting in that capacity, in addition to which he conducts a private practice with office at No. 422 World-Herald building.

In June, 1912, in Omaha, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Loney and Miss May Lahey, a native of this city and a daughter of the late Michael Lahey, who for years was custodian in the post-ofifice and was also for an extended period connected with the Douglas county courthouse. Dr. and Mrs. Loney had two children but both have passed away.

The Doctor belongs to Phi Beta Pi, a medical fraternity, and he has membership with the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society and the Nebraska State Medical Society. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and he belongs also to the Knights of Columbus, while of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Fraternal Aid L nion he is likewise a representative. His political endorsement is given to the men and measures of the democratic party.

William A. Smith

William A. Smith, the second vice president and general manager of the Omaha & Council Blufi^s Street Railways, is a man of marked executive ability whose keen discrimination is manifest in practical effort resulting beneficially to the corporation which he represents. His careful consideration of complex business problems has always led to clearly defined plans, the proper execution of which have brought successful achievement.

Mr. Smith is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in Dryden, December 16, 1847. His father. Frederick Smith, a native of England, came to America in 1842 and first settled in Tompkins county. New York, where he became a successful farmer. He spent his remaining days in that state, passing ?A\ivy in Spcedsville in 1906 at the age of eighty-six years. Taking active interest in politics he gave his support to the republican party but never sought nor desired office for himself. He married Susanna Kirby, a native of England, and it was on their wedding day that they sailed for the new world. They became the parents of live children of whom three are living. The mother passed away at the old home in Speedsville in 1876 at the age of fifty-eight years.

William A. Smith was educated in the little brown schoolhouse of his native city, and Ithaca Academy, in which he spent two winter terms. His early life was passed on the home farm and on attaining his majority he started out to make his own way in the world. The year 1872 witnessed his arrival in the west, at which time he took up his abode in Omaha. During that summer he was employed with a government survey party in Nebraska and in the fall of that year he became connected with the first street car line in Omaha, which at that time consisted of two miles of track and four ten-foot cars. Such was the humble beginning of the present well developed and highly modern street car system of Omaha. Mv. Smith has continuously been identified personally and financially with the business throughout all the intervening years leading to the extension of the present Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Railways system. His cooperation has been sought in various other fields and today he has other large and important business and financial interests. He is a director of lhe United States National Bank of Omaha.

On the 9th of October. 1875. at Speedsville, New York, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Persis Blair, a native of that state and descended from revolutionary stock, her grandfather having fought for independence in the war with England. Her great-grandfather was a Scotchman and her great-grandmother was English. Mr. and ]\Irs. Smith became the parents of two children. Frank became a well known civil engineer and a most popular young man. He died April 2, 191 1, and was buried on the thirty-second anniver.sary of his birth, his death being one of the hardest trials that has ever come to the family. He was possessed of many admirable qualities that endeared him to all who knew him, and his business ability was marked, while his devotion to his parents was that of a loving son. The surviving son, Fred K.. is still a.-resideht of Omaha.

In politics Mr. Smith is a republican, having supported that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His interest in civic affairs and his cooperation with movements for the general good mark him as a public-spirited citizen, yet he has never sought nor desired office. While reared in the Episcopal church he now attends the Unitarian church. He belongs also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Happy Hollow Club, the Omaha Athletic Association and the Commercial Club. His life has been one of untiring activity, his labors directed in various channels through which flows great good to a great number, and the course which he has ever pursued marks him as a man of high business and personal ideals.

Hon. Richard C. Hunter

Hon. Richard C. Hunter, lawyer and law maker, has come well equipped to the responsibilities and important duties which have devolved upon him, his training' being that of the Nebraska State University and of Columbia University of New York. He was born December 3, 1884, at West Point, Nebraska, a son of T R Hunter, a native of New York and a representative of old families of Connecticut and Virginia of Scotch descent. Three brothers of the name came to the new world while this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain, and took part in the Revolutionary war. J. R. Hunter engaged in the life insurance business and also m stock raising. He became a resident of Nebraska in 1879 and his business activities were wisely conducted winning substantial success. In politics Mr. Hunter was a democrat and throughout his Hfe took an active part in poHtical and civic affairs. While a resident of Wisconsin, prior to his removal to Nebraska, he served as chief clerk in the Wisconsin Assembly of 1872. He was a great friend of ex-Governor Peck of Wisconsin, and in fact was one of the men who brought Peck to the front. He owned and published the Milwaukee Daily News and made his paper a powerful organ for his party, its editorials constituting a potent influence in the attainment of democratic success. He was also very active in Masonic circles in Wisconsin, and he ever stood for those things that work for the uplift of the individual and the advancement of the community toward higher civic standards. He married Sarah Frances Hustead, a native of New York and of English descent. Among her ancestors were those who participated with the colonies in the Revolutionary war. She is now a resident of Omaha and her two sons also survive, one of these being Harold O. Hunter, a stockraiser of Sioux county, Nebraska.

Richard C. Hunter, educated in the public schools of Omaha, was graduated from the high school with the class of 1904 and, determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he entered the Nebraska University in which he pursued his more specifically literary course that constituted the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge. He was graduated from the State University in 1909 and then pursued his law course in the Columbia University of New York, where he won the LL. B. degree in 191 1. He also attended the Harvard Law School for one year. Following his graduation he became associated with the firm of Brown, Baxter & Van Dusen, attorneys of Omaha, with whom he remained for three years. He then entered practice on his own account and has won a most satisfactory clientage that is continually growing in volume and importance. He is clear in his interpretation of the law, concise in his appeals before the court, sound in his reasoning and logical in his deductions. As a law maker, too, Mr. Hunter is well known. In 191 5 he became a member of the Thirty-fourth Nebraska Legislature, having been elected on the democratic ticket. He was instrumental in securing the passage of fifteen bills through the house and five through the senate. He has been made an honorary member of the United Spanish War Veterans Association, as he introduced a bill putting this organization on a par with the Grand Army of the Republic. Under appointment of Governor Morehead he became judge of the municipal court of Omaha, and served upon the bench for fourteen months, his decisions being characterized by the utmost impartiality as well as a correct application of legal principles. On the 22d of April, 1908, Mr. Hunter was married in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Miss Viletta Taylor, a native of Lincoln and a daughter of A. O. and Josephine (Porter) Taylor. In his fraternal relations Mr. Hunter is a Mason, and along strictly professional lines he has connection with the Omaha, the Douglas County and the Nebraska Bar Associations. Nature endowed him with keen mentality and he has used his powers wisely and well in connection with the profession that has always been regarded as the conservator of human rights and liberties.

Thomas B. McPherson, conducting important business interests as a dealer in cattle, in loans and in timber, has conducted successful interests of that character for many years. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, March 21, 1853, his parents being Dr. William S. and Harriet A. (McPherson) McPherson, who were also natives of Maryland, where the father practiced his profession, becoming a well known physician and surgeon of that state. He died February 5, 1917, at the age of ninety-three years, but his wife passed away in 1901, at the age of seventy years.

In the family were five children and Thomas B. McPherson, the eldest, devoted his boyhood to the acquirement of an education by attending public schools and Nebraska College at Nebraska City, where he graduated in 1870. He came to this state in 1868 and completed his college course in 1870, after which he returned to New York city, where he engaged for nine years in the school book publishing business. He developed a trade of large proportions and won a substantial measure of success during the years of his connection therewith. In 1880 he returned to the west, making his way to Omaha, where he became connected with the grain business under the name of the Omaha Elevator Company. His attention was directed along that line until 1884, when he organized a bank at Arapahoe, Nebraska, where he continued in the banking business until 1891. He then returned to Omaha and organized the Union Stock Yards National Bank, of which he was chosen cashier. In that connection he remained until 1906, when he decided to enter upon private business enterprises. The Union Stock Yards National Bank has grown to large proportions until it is today one of the leading financial institutions of .South Omaha and is in a thriving condition. He has been very successful and has become one of the best known men of his community. He is now a member and director of the Union Stock Yards Company of South Omaha and he has a wide acquaintance among the live stock commission men, who respect and admire him as one of their colleagues.

In 1876. Mr. McPherson was married to Miss Louise Niven, of Roselle, New Jersey, and they now have four children: William S. and Thomas B.. Jr., twins, living at Masters, Colorado ; Louise, of Thurmont, Maryland ; and Margaret, the wife of C. E. Gardiner, of Garden City, Long Island.

Mr. McPherson is a prominent member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, also of Tangier Temple, Omaha. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church and his political support is given to the democratic party. Readily recognizing opportunities that have been presented, he has utilized them for the good of the community as well as for individual benefit and he has attained a most creditable position as a business man and as a citizen.

William T. Foye

William J. Foye, president of the W. J. Foye Lumber Company, has throughout the entire period of his business career been connected with the lumber trade, operating in this line in Omaha since 1887. For two years before he was a resident of the city but railroad business claimed his attention. Since making his initial step in the lumber trade his advancement has been continuous. One of the great causes of failure in business life is a lack of genuine interest, but from the beginning Mr. Foye has enjoyed his work and made it his purpose to thoroughly acquaint himself with every phase of the lumber industry. Today he can speak with authority upon questions relating thereto and his mterests are wisely and profitably conducted.

A native of Wisconsin, Mr. Foye was born in Mount Vernon in 1867 and in the paternal line is a representative of an old New England family of French descent, his grandfather being Stephen Foye, who was born in Vermont, March 9, 1800. and who spent his last days in Mount \'emon. Wisconsm. In the maternal line he comes of the De Golyer family, of Scotch extraction. His fatlier. Stephen Foye, was bom in Canada in 1833 but much of his life was spent in the United States. At Eagle, Wisconsin, on the 29th of August. 1855, he married Hannah Dillon, whose ancestors were Scotch Highlanders. At the time of the Civil war Stephen Foye offered his services to the country and went to the front

WilHani J. Foye supplemented liis pubhc school training, received in Mount Vernon, by study at Madison. Wisconsin, and in a business college of that city and was a youth of eighteen years when in 1885 he came to Oinaha, being employed at the headquarters of the Union Pacific Railroad Company for two years. He then entered the service of George A. Hoagland, a lumber dealer, with whom he continued until 1902, and then spent three years in Kansas City with the W. R. Pickering Lumber Company as sales miniager. He returned to Omaha in 1905 to become general manager of the McShane Lum])er Company. Since December, 1912, he has been in business on his own account as a dealer in lumber, specializing in railroad ties and grain doors. On the ist of July, 1916, the business was incorporated under the name of the W. J. Foye Lumber Company. Long connection with the trade has acquainted him thoroughly with the business in principle and detail and he is thoroughly informed concerning conditions of the lumber market so that his operations have been intelligently directed and have been fruitful of substantial results. His success is furthermore indicated in the fact that he has been able to extend his business outside of the United States into Canada and other countries. He has branch offices in Columbia, Mississippi, Jacksonville, Florida, and New York city.

On the 22d of October. 1902, in Omaha, Mr. Foye was married to Miss Mary McShane, a daughter of the late Edward McShane, and they have three children. Marion, Alice and Catherine. He is a member of the Congregational church, while Mrs. Foye is a communicant of the Catholic church, and they take a helpful interest in promoting the moral progress of the community.

Mr. Foye's military record in the Nebraska National Guard covers live or six years' service with the Omaha Guards, in which he rose to the rank of first lieutenant, while later he spent four or five years with the Thurston Rifles and won the rank of captain. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He is a York Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine and he belongs to the Ak-Sar-Ben and the Elks. Along more strictly social lines his connection is with the Omaha Club, the Omaha Country Club, the Omaha Field Club and the Omaha Athletic Club. His personal characteristics and social qualities are pronounced and he is an acceptable companion in any society in w'hich intelligence is a necessary attribute to agreeableness.

George E. Haverstick

It is a long step from the position of bank messenger to that of vice president, but in the period of his active business career George E. Haverstick has accomplished this in connection with the United States National Bank, one of the foremost financial institutions of Nebraska and the middle west.' The steps iri his orderly progression are easily discernible, for he has followed the path of industry and perseverance, guided at all times by creditable ambition. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Carlisle in 1870, his parents being Joseph B. and Mary C. (Ege) Haverstick, the former born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1840, while the latter is a native of Maryland. Throughout the period of the Civil war the father served as a hospital steward with the Union army, going to the front from Pennsylvania. Following the close of hostilities he returned to Carlisle, where for many years he engaged in business as a druggist, his life's labors being ended in death in 1898. His widow, still surviving, yet makes her home in Carlisle.

Educated in the schools of his native city. George E. Haverstick came to Omaha when eighteen years of age and, l^elieving that he would find banking a congenial pursuit, he obtained the position of messenger in the United States National liank, then situatetl at the comer of Twelfth and Farnam streets. He applied himself with thoroughness and earnestness to the mastery of the duties entrusted to him and his tidelity won the attention of the bank officers, who promoted him from time to time, so that he gained comprehensive knowledge of the business in principle and detail. At length election to office rewarded his service and in 1916 he was chosen vice president of the institution which he had entered in a most humble capacity twenty-eight years before. Into other tields his efforts have also been extended and he is now treasurer and a director of the Nebraska Savings & Loan Association of Omaha.

Mr. Haverstick was married September 17, 1902, in Penn Yan, New York, to Caroline Celle, daughter of John L. Dinturff. They are members of the Episcopal church and are well known socially. In fact Mr. Haverstick is a very prominent figure in clul) circles, holding membership in the Omaha, University, Omaha Country, Omaha Field and Commercial Clubs, of the latter two of which he has served as president. He is likewise a member of the Elks lodge and of the Woodmen of the World. Llis political endorsement has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is interested in affairs of a semi-public character and i.s now treasurer and a member of the board of governors of the Ak-Sar-Ben. The spirit of western enterprise which has led to the rapid and substantial development of this section of the country is manifest in his career. While he has never consented to become a candidate for high political or other public office, there are few men of large private interests in the city who have felt a more hearty concern for the public welfare or have been more helpful in bringing about those purifying and wholesome reforms which have been gradually growing up in the political, municipal and social life of Omaha. It is true that his cluef life work has been that of a successful banker, but the range of_ his activities and the scope of his inlhience have reached far beyond that special field.

Frank R. Keegan

Frank R. Keegan, of the firm of Baldwin & Keegan, is recognized as one of the most capable and successful of the younger lawyers practicing at the Omaha bar. He was born in Spalding, Nebraska, October 31, 1885, a son of John and Jane (Roch) Keegan, both of whom are natives of Ireland but became pioneer settlers of Illinois, casting in their lot with the early residents of Iroquois county, where the father engaged in farming. Later he was in the employ of the government and afterward became a ranchman in Nebraska, while eventually he retired from active business life. He came to this state in 1884 and settled on a farm in Greelev county, where he continued to reside until he removed to Boone county. In 1889 he brought his family to South Omaha, where he has since made his home, although from 1904 until 1909 he was promniently connected with ranching and cattle raising in Lyman county. South Dakota. At the present time he is located in South Omaha, enjoying a rest which he has justly earned and richly deserves. His wife, whom he married in Iroquois county, Ilhnois. also survives. In their family were seven children, of whom two are now deceased, Tennie and Elizabeth having passed away. The others are John, Mary. Daniel, Arthur and Frank R., all residing in Omaha. , , , c

The last named, who was the youngest child of the family, attended the bt Agnes parochial school of South Omaha to the age of nme years and afterward spent six years as a pupil in Creighton University, m which he pursued the literary and arts courses. He next attended the St. Thomas Military Academy in St Paul and won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904. For three years he was a "Student in the Fribourg University of Switzerland and upon his return to his native state in 1907 he secured a position in the clerical department of the Cudahy Packing Company of South Omaha. There he remained until 191 1, when he again entered Creighton University, winning the LL. B. degree. In 1914 he began the practice of law in South Omaha and has been one of the most successful young attorneys of this section of the state. On the ist of December, 1916, he fonned a partnership with John N. Baldwin, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and they now maintain a fine suite of offices in the World-Herald building and constitute a strong combination of legal advisers.

Mr. Keegan votes with the democratic party and on the 7th of November, 1916, he was elected a member of the state legislature. He has marked ability in his profession, a fact recognized by public opinion, and he is well known and popular both in his social and professional connections.

William B. Cheek

William B. Cheek, a well known representative of insurance interests in South Omaha, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 22, 1862, a son of O. T. and Mary (Robeson) Cheek, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in England and came to America when a little maiden of ten summers, first becoming a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. O. T. Cheek became a resident of Indiana at an early period and in early life engaged in railroad work, being connected with the train service in Indiana as an employe of the Big Four system. In later life he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where his last days were spent, his death occurring in 191 1, when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife died at the home of her son William in Omaha in 1912 at the age of seventy-three.

William B. Cheek was an only child. In his early youth he entered the schools of Indianapolis and continued his education in \Vabash College, from which he was graduated in 1882. He later became connected with the telegraph department of the Milwaukee Railroad at Chicago and remained in that connection for two and a half years. In 1884 he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he occupied the position of train dispatcher with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, continuing with that company until 1914, during which period he was advanced from one position to another. In 1887 he became live stock agent at the South Omaha Stock Yards and thus represented the railroad company until 1914, when he resigned to accept the western management of the Hartford Insurance Company in the live stock department. He therefore established his present business, wh.ich he has since successfully conducted, with ofiices in the Exchange building at the Union Stock Yards. In this connection he has gained a large and growing clientage and is today justly accounted one of the foremost insurance men of the city.

On the 25th of March, 1885, Mr. Cheek was united in marriage to Miss Mary Murray, of Chicago, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Alurray, who were natives of Scotland and became early residents of Chicago. Her father died at the age of eighty-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Cheek were born two children. Mrs. E. A. Rose, wlio was born at Milford, Nebraska, in 1886, was graduated from the South Omaha high school and Bellevue College. She has become the mother of two children, Marion and Elizabeth. William H., who was born in South Omaha in 1888. was graduated from the high school and from the State University and afterward wedded Miss Merle Cooper, of Fort Madison. Iowa. He is now engaged in the live stock business in South Omaha. The family home is maintained in South Omaha.

Fraternally Mr. Cheek is connected with the Benovelent Protective Order of Elks. He is a director and vice president of the Omaha Automobile Club and is a director of the Seymour Lake Club. He also belongs to the Commercial

Club and is prominently identified with the good roads movement. His life history would be incomplete were there failure to make reference to the prominent part which he has taken in public affairs. In the early days of South Omaha he was elected a member of the school board and served for seven years of his connection with the board as .its president, during- which period eleven of the schoolhouses which are a credit to the educational development of the city were erected. He also assisted in building the Carnegie Library and has been a member of its board of directors. He was likewise chairman of the building committee of the Wheeler Memorial church and is officially connected with the South Omaha Hospital Association. There is no movement which tends to uplift the individual or promote the welfare of the community that does not receive his endorsement and his aid and his influence are always given on the side of material, intellectual and moral progress.

Frederick Mitchell Graham

The entire life of Frederick Mitchell Graham has been passed in Nebraska and for many years he has resided in Omaha where he is successfully engaged in the real estate business. One feature of his success has been his thorough knowledge of conditions in this section of the state, as there are few men who are better judges of property values than he. He was lx)rn in Sarpy county, February 3, 1873, and is a son of John and Martha Ellen (Mitchell) Graham. His father was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, but when fourteen years of age became a resident of Canada, where he remained for a considerable period, but about the close of the Civil war he removed to Omaha. As he had at that time but seventy-five cents, it was imperative that he secure work at once, and he hired out as a wood chopper. He was a rrian of literary tastes and had prepared for teaching in Canada, where he followed that profession for a period. As soon as he had saved sufficient money he purchased eighty acres of land three miles from Papillion, Nebraska, and thereon erected a frame house, although at that time frame houses were uncommon. Misfortune overtook him, however, as in July, 1872, just when the growing crop was at its best, a hail storm destroyed the entire crop and this resulted in the loss of his farm. He then removed to another farm in the same township, paying an annual rental for six years. At the end of that time he sold his stock and with the money that he gained in that way, added to the capital he had previously saved, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of the Lawman Miller estate, paying therefor eleven hundred dollars. Still later he bought an eighty acre tract, retaining possession of his fine two hundred acre farm until his death, which occurred September 12, 1904, when he was sixty-five years old.

The mother of Frederick M. Graham was in her maidenhood Martha Ellen Mitchell, and was born in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her parents, Jonas and Mary Mitchell, removed to Iowa and thence to Nebraska, which was then upon the western frontier. In fact Mrs. Mitchell was among the first white women to settle in this state. Mr. Mitchell under appointment by the government became blacksmith for the Omaha and Pawnee Indians, and served in that capacity for a long time. He read and spoke the native tongue fluently, and came to know the leading chiefs well. He was on friendly terms with them and more than once was able to avert trouble between the Indians and the whites. Some idea of the ever present danger which surrounded the pioneer settlers may be gained from the following incident. One day a drunken Pawnee squaw was about to brain one of Mrs. Mitchell's small daughters who had been playing in a new wagon owned by Peter A. Sarpy but just in time James Mitchell violently pushed the squaw to one side, thus saving the life of the child. Jonas Mitchell died in 1887. His daughter, Mrs. Graham, is still living upon the homestead in

Sarpy county. All of her seven children survive, namely : May, who is the wife of Harr)' Z. Wedgwood, of luiid, Oklahoma; IVederick M., of this review; Carrie, the wife of Edward Bottorff, of Omaha; h'rank C, who is a real estate dealer of Springfield, Nebraska ; Adam, who resides on the home farm in Sarpy county ; John, also living on the home farm ; and Blanche, who married William Krull, of Sprague, Nebraska, where they reside.

Frederick ]\r. Graham attended the i)ioneer schools of Sarpy county for two months in the winter during his boyhood, and su])plcmented the education so acquired by study in the Western Normal College at Lincoln, Nebraska. Upon leaving that institution he returned home and for some time assisted his father with the farm work. \A'hen twenty- four years old he removed to Omaha and has since engaged in the real estate business, specializing in handling farm lands in Sarpy and Douglas counties. He has given a great deal of his time to the careful study of the various soils of this section, knows for what each is best adapted and is recognized as an expert in the valuation of farms. He has handled a great deal of property and has contributed not a little to the development of this part of the state.

Mr. Graham was married November 25, 1909, to Miss Anastasia Brennan of Omaha, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Brennan, who are residents of Ackley, Iowa. To this union have been born three children : Claire, whose birth occurred December 9, 1910; Fred D., born February 9, 1912; and Helen, born November 21, 1915. All are natives of Omaha.

In the exercise of his right of franchise Mr. Ciraham is somewhat independent, but, other things being equal, supports the republican party, as he believes in its basic principles. He has a large circle of acquaintances, and it is high testimony to his worth that, almost without exception, all who have been brought in contact with him are his friends. From the earliest pioneer days the Graham family has been identified with Nebraska, and the name is recognized as a synonym for integrity and public spirit.

John T. Ochiltree

John T. Ochiltree, deceased, was for a number of years connected with building operations in Omaha, mostly conlining his attention to residence property. He came to this city in 1886 from Burlington, Iowa, but was a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred at Ashley in 1840. In early life he took up the carpenter's trade and eventually began contracting and building on his owai account. To that pursuit he turned his attention following his arrival in Omaha and the excellence of his work soon secured him a liberal patronage, so that he became closely associated with the improvement of the city through its building operations. He was thus active for many years and erected many of the attractive and substantial residences of Omaha. He thoroughly understood every phase of building both in principle and detail and his houses combined utility and convenience with beauty. He continued actively in business until 1908, when he retired on account of ill health and for two years thereafter engaged in no labor. . In Iowa, in 1863, Mr. Ochiltree was united in marriage to Miss Joanna Spalding, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them were born five children : Herman B., now living in Omaha; Mrs. Hattie Hunter, of this city; Howard, a resident of New York ; Carl, whose home is in Omaha ; and Mrs. Pearl Hungate. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 22d of October, 1910, Mr. Ochiltree was called to his final rest. He was a democrat in his political views and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and to public interests he gave earnest and active support whenever he deemed that a project or movement would in any w^ay benefit the community. He was always public-spirited, had great faith in the city and was interested in its growth. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and he guided his life according to its teachings. He was devoted to the welfare of his family and found his greatest happiness at his own fireside, but he also had many warm personal friends who esteemed him highly for his genuine worth, while those whom he met in business relations entertained for him the highest respect because of his fidelity to honorable principles.

Charles N. Robinson

Omaha has gradually developed into a great center of trade, sending out its products into all sections of the country, so that the development of its wholesale business has been rapid and substantial. It has been regarded as a source of supply since the early days when it was a frontier trading point on the outposts of civilization. Gradually there have grown up the great wholesale interests of the city, with one of which Charles N. Robinson is closely connected as the secretary and treasurer of the Byrne & Hammer Dry Goods Company. Thoroughly familiar with every phase of a business of this complex character, he is thus qualified to wisely direct its interests and further development.

Mr. Robinson was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, September 19, 1862. His father, John M. Robinson, was a native of New York and a representative of an old Pennsylvania family of English descent, the ancestral line being traced oack to John Robinson, who came to the new world when this country was still numbered among the Colonial possessions of Great Britain. The family home was established at Montpelier, A'ermont. The great-grandfather, also John Robinson, was born in ^Nlifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1736, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Andrew Robinson, was born in Lewiston, New York, in 1802. The father, John M. Robinson, was born in the Empire state and became a successful lumberman of Michigan. He wedded Emily B. Hildreth, who was born at Lockport, New York, and was of English and French descent. She passed away, leaving three children, of whom Charles N. is the youngest.

In the public schools of Lockport, New York, and of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Charles N. Robinson pursued his early education and was but ten years of age when he began providing for his own support, being first employed as messenger in the Niagara County National Bank at Lockport, where he remained for ten years, working his way upward to the position of teller. On the expiration of that period he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he found employment with the wholesale dry goods house of Tootle, Hosea & Company, one of the leading firms of the kind in that city. This was his initial step in the wholesale dry goods business and his training made him familiar with the business in all of its departments. He was advanced step by step until he became manager of the credit department, but in 1900 he resigned and removed to Omaha. The same year he entered the wholesale dry goods house conducted under the name of the Byrne & Hammer Dry Goods Company as its secretary and treasurer. In fact he was one of the incorporators of the business and has since been active in its management and control, his progressive spirit, sound judgment and indefatigable energy contributing much to the success of the institution.

Mr. Robinson was married in Lockport, New York, on the 21st of October, 1885, to Miss Frances Bowen, a native of New York, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bowen. There is one son, George B. Robinson, and a daughter, Frances Cavanagh.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are members of the Presbyterian church and their well spent lives have gained for them an enviable social position. In fraternal circles Mr. Robinson is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias and is a member of the

Omaha Club, Field Club and Commercial Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but aside from the exercise of his right of franchise and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day he does not take an active part in politics, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his rapidly developing business affairs.

Dr. William Lete Shearer, recognized as an authority throughout Nebraska and the west on questions of oral surgery, has specialized in that work until his ability places him prominently in the front rank of those whose efforts are directed along the same line. He was born in Fennimore, Grant county, Wisconsin, July 6, 1880. His father, the late E. J. Shearer, was also born in Wisconsin but was a representative of old New York and Pennsylvania families of German and Scotch descent, John Shearer having been the founder of the family in the new world. E. J. Shearer became a successful farmer of Wisconsin and of Iowa but has now passed away. His wife, who bore the .maiden name of Mary Elizabeth Ward, was born in Auburn, New Y^ork, and is of English lineage. She now makes her home in Omaha.

Dr. Shearer was the second in a family of eight children and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the graded schools of Omaha he pursued the high school course and was graduated ni 1900. He immediately determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work and won his D. D. S. degree upon graduation from the dental department of the University of O'maha in 1902. Some years later he took up the study of medicine and was graduated with the M. D. degree from John A. Creighton Medical College in 1916. His early life to the age of twelve years had been spent upon his father's farm and he then started out to earn his own living. He was a youth of fourteen when he entered the dental ofifice of Dr. G. W. Wertz as an office boy and tlie interest which the profession awakened in him at that time led to his ultimately qualifying for practice, to which he has given his attention for the past fifteen years, now devoting his time exclusively to surgery of the mouth and jaws, being the only exclusive specialist in this field in Nebraska. He has carried his studies and investigations far beyond the point that the .majority of dentists reach and is regarded as a most distinguished surgeon in his field and noted authority upon all questions relating thereto. He is the professor of oral surgery in the dental department of Creighton University and is oral surgeon to four local hospitals.

Dr. Shearer was married on the 30th of October, 1907, at Wiley, Wyoming, to Miss Anna Katharine Wiley, a native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and a daughter of S. L. and Kate M. (Newton) Wiley. Dr. and Mrs. Shearer have three children, Solon Wiley, Elizabeth Ruth and Katharine Jane.

The parents are members of the First Congregational church and Dr. Shearer is also an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is likewise a member of the Omaha Club, the Rotary Club, the Omaha Athletic Club and the Commercial Club, and while he is interested in all those projects and measures which have to do with the welfare of. his city along social, educational, material and moral lines, he nevertheless concentrates his efforts and attention upon his profession and through the steps of an orderly progression has risen to a place of distinction. He benefits by the interchange of thought and experience among the members of the Tri City Dental Society, the Odontological Society, the Eastern District Dental Society, the Nebraska State Dental Society and the National Dental Association. Of the Tri City and of the Eastern District Societies he has been president. He has also beta made an honorary member of fourteen state or local dental and medical associations. He belongs, moreover, to the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Society, the Missouri Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Clinical Congress of Surgeons of North America. His election to honorary membership indicates in what high regard professional men hold his ability in his chosen held.

George Nicholas Aulabaugh

The house of George N. Aulabaugh, furrier, is one of the most attractive commercial establishments of Omaha, representing all that is best in the trade, while the progressive business methods and thorough reliability of the proprietor constitute him one of the leading representatives of commercial life in the city. Ohio claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Dayton, February lo, 1877. His father, Josiah A. Aulabaugh, was born on a farm in x\dams county, Pennsylvania, in 1844 and following the outbreak of the Civil war responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in the Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for nine months. He was married in Ohio to Frances Glotfelder and in 1889 they removed to Omaha, where they still make their home. In that year the father established business as a furrier and continued actively in the trade until 1902, when he was succeeded by his son. Mr. Aulabaugh gives his political allegiance to. the republican party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church.