Omaha City (part 22 of 26)

Dr. F. E. Coulter, a representative of the medical profession in Omaha .since 1890. has since 1901 specialized in the treatment of nervous diseases, possessing marked ability in that connection by reason of his broad study and experience. Liberal educational advantages qualified him for his profession and Rush Medical College of Chicago numbers him among its alumni. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in i860, a son of Robert W. and Nancy D. (Daugherty) Coulter. The father was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of Tames Coulter, likewise a native of that state but of Scotch-Irish descent. Robert W. Coulter became a carpenter and farmer, devoting his life to those two pursuits. In 1843 '^^ removed westward to Iowa and in that state wedded Nancy D. Daugherty, who had located there in 1847. Mr. Coulter passed away in 1896 but his widow survives and now makes her home in Omaha.

Upon the old home farm in Louisa county, Iowa, Dr. Coulter was reared, beginning his education in the district schools, while later he attended the public schools of Burlington. Farm life, however, did not appeal to him as an occupation and with the desire to enter upon a professional career he became a student in Rush Aledical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1882. He has since embraced every opportunity for promoting his knowledge and advancing his efficiency and has taken post graduate work in London and in New York city. For seven and one-half years he engaged in general practice in Waterloo, this county, but in 1890 opened an office in Omaha, where he continued in general practice for eleven years or until 1901, since which time he has concentrated his energies upon the treatment of nervous and mental diseases, having studied specially for that work. His opinions are largely accepted as authority upon questions relating to the treatment of nervous diseases and his pronounced ability in that direction led to his selection as a member of the faculty in the medical department of Creighton University in Omaha, in which for twenty years he held the chair of nervous and mental diseases.

Dr. Coulter has three children: Marian B. and Roberta W., born of his first marriage ; and William J., of his second marriage. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his fraternal relations connect him with the Masons and the Elks. He also belongs to the Commercial Club and is interested in its various projects for the welfare and advancement of the city. Politically he is an earnest republican but has neither time nor inclination to seek public office, preferring to concentrate his undivided attention upon his professional duties, which have grown steadily in volume and importance. Expression of the high regard of his colleagues is indicated in the fact that in 1902 he was elected to the presidency of the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society and in 1909 to the vice presidency of the Nebraska State Medical Association. He also belongs to the Missouri \'alley ]\Iedical Society, the Elkhorn Valley Medical Association and to the American Medical Association and he thus keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age along the lines of scientific investigation into the realms of medical and surgical science.

Charles Zebina Gould

Charles Zebina Gould, active in insurance circles of Omaha, having been general agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company since 1893, was born in ^Michigan City, Indiana, October 31, 1857. His father, Zebina Gould, was born in Charlton, Massachusetts, in 1806, but his father was a native of New York, bom in the eighteenth century. Leaving the east, Zebina Gould became a resident of Michigan City, Indiana, in 1856 and in that year was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. Rees. They became the parents of seven sons and one daughter, all of whom are yet living, while two of the sons, Charles Z. and Henry R., are residents of Omaha. The father passed aw^ay in Michigan City in 1873 ^^^^ the mother, long surviving, died in Spokane, \Vashington, in February, 191 6, at the age of eighty-seven years.

Charles Z. Gould was a pupil in the public schools of Michigan City and afterward attended Shattuck Military Academy at Faribault, Minnesota, from which he was graduated with the class of 1879. He next entered Trinity College at Hartford. Connecticut, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1882. In 1891 he went to Butler county, Nebraska. where he entered the grain business, there remaining for two years, or until

Charles Z. Gould

1893, when he sold out and came to Omaha. Here he turned his attention to the Hfe insurance business, being made general agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, in which connection he has since continued, and during the intervening period he has steadily advanced his business connections until the interests under his direction are now extensive.

On the 1st of October, 1890, in his native city, Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Miss Annie S. Mitchell, whose father was a native of Scotland. The children of this marriage are: Charles Morton, who was married in Idaho to Miss Nellie Day and has two children, their home being now in Columbus, Nebraska ; Stuart, who was married in Omaha to Miss Helga Rasmussen and has one child, Helga Elizabeth ; and Elizabeth, who is attending the State University.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church and in social circles they occupy an enviable position, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them. In politics Mr. Gould is a republican. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the University Club and his interest in community affairs is evidenced in his membership in the Commercial Club. He is a clean-cut. courteous business man, who stands high in public regard and who throughout his entire life has met all of the duties and obligations that devolve upon him as a man and as a citizen.

John C. Mangold

John C. Mangold, cashier of the bank- of. Elkhorn, was born in Bennington, Douglas county, Nebraska, October 21, 1881, a son of Peter and Mary (Glandt) Mangold. The father was born in Diubuque, Iowa, there pursued his education and in the early '70s came to Douglas county, where he took up the occupation of farming near Millard. He secured a^ homestead claim there and after cultivating his land for a considerable period retired from farm life and removed to Bennington, where he opened a general-store and. in connection with merchandising engaged in the live stock and grain business. He af terw^ard established the Mangold & Glandt banking house, of which he has. since been the president, having been active in this business for the past quarter of a century. He is also the president of the Farmers State Bank of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Gretna, Sarpy county, being thus widely and prominently known in connection with the banking interests of the state. His wife was born in Omaha in 186 1 and is one of the oldest living native daughters of the county, representing one of the honored pioneer famdies. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mangold are widely and favorably known and his business interests establish him as one of the representative citizens of Douglas county.

John C. Mangold was reared and educated in Douglas county, attending the district schools and afterward becoming a student in the Fremont Normal School and Business College. When his education was completed he opened a lumberyard in Bennington, carrying on the business from 1900 until 1907, when he sold out and removed to Elkhorn, establishing a lumber business at than point in 191 1. Some time afterward he disposed of his lumberyard and organized the Farmers State Bank at Springfield, Nebraska, of which he was cashier until Alarch. 191 5. He then returned to Elkhorn and opened the Farmers State Bank, of which he has since been cashier. He sustains the enviable reputation borne by the name of Mangold in connection with the banking interests of eastern Nebraska, for his policy and activities have at all times been of a character that would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.

On the 6th of January. 1909. at Elkhorn, Nebraska. i\Ir. Mangold was united in marriage "to Miss Christine Thiessen, who was born, reared and educated in Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1904. taking up her abode in Elkhorn. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children.

Bcrneta ^lary and Laurie John. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Mangold also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Elkhorn, in which he was keeper of the records and seal, lie is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and his political faith is that of the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, in whicli he is meeting with well earned and gratifying success.

Dr. Arthur D. Dunn, for a decade connected with the medical profession in Omaha, has during this period demonstrated the possession of powers which are most effective in coping with disease and in solving the intricate problems which continually confront the physician. Today his practice is large and important and the wisdom of his opinions is recognized by his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession. He was born near Meadville, Pennsylvania, in the year 1873, a son of Thomas Holton and Diantha (Curtis) Dunn, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state but have now passed away. The father, who was a Baptist minister and devoted his life in part to the occupation of farming, passed away on the farm near Meadville in 1880. His father was a soldier of the War of 1812 and the family is of Scotch-Irish descent.

Dr. Dunn acquired his early education in the public schools of Meadville and later attended Allegheny College, from which he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1896. Li the same year he was graduated from the University of Chicago and won the Bachelor of Philosophy degree. His professional course was pursued in Rush Medical College of Chicago, which numbers him among its alumni of 1902. He afterwards served one and one-half years as house physician in the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, thus gaining the broad medical experience which hospital practice brings. He afterward spent six months as private assistant to the late Dr. John B. Murphy, of that city, and then he devoted a year to further post graduate work in Vienna. Upon his return to the United States he spent almost a year in a mining hospital in Idaho and in February, 1907, he came to Omaha, where he has since remained in the active and successful practice of medicine. He is a director of the Physicians Health Association of Omaha.

On the nth of August, 1904, in Chicago, Dr. Dunn was married to Miss Alice Gardner Root, a daughter of the late Frederick Root, and they have two sons, Rollin Thomas and Frederick Holton.

Dr. Dunn is a democrat and served as coroner's physician in Omaha for a year and a half but otherwise has neither sought nor held public office. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society, the Douglas County Medical Society, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, and the Nebraska State Medical Society. He finds recreation from arduous professional cares through his membership in the University and Rotary clubs, of both of which he is a well known and popular representative.

Pierce C. Himebaugh

Although more than a quarter of a century has elapsed since Pierce C. Himebaugh passed from among those who knew and loved him his memory is held in reverence because of his well directed life and his rare Christian character. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Erie on the 9th of January, 1840. and in early boyhood he was left an orphan by the death of his parents, Mr. and Mrs.

Mathias Himebaugh. His elder brother, Orlando Himebaugh, became his guardian and afterward removed to Illinois, settling near Geneva, so that Pierce C. Himebaugh was a pupil in the common schools of that locality for several years. Further removal was then made to Nebraska, their home being established about ten miles north of Fremont. After some time the health of Pierce C. Himebaugh became impaired and he returned to Illinois, residing at Sycamore. There at the age of twenty-four years he began operating a flour mill, which he conducted for some time, and for six years he was engaged in the manufacture of flour at Rochelle, Illinois. In 1869 he turned his attention to the grain commission business in Chicago, where he resided until 1875, when he sold out and became connected with the grain firm of Wanzer & Company.

After about a year, however, Mr. Himebaugh came to Nebraska, settling in Omaha in 1876. Here he continued in the grain trade in connection with the firm of Wanzer & Company of Chicago, but after eight months he formed a partnership with C. W. Lyman under the firm style of C. W. Lyman & Company. They built the Union elevator-A in sixty days. Mr Lyman's interest was afterward purchased by Nathan Merriam and the firm name of Himebaugh & Merriam was assumed. The elevator-A had a capacity of two hundred thousand bushels and the elevator-B, which the firm leased but in which they had an interest of thirty-five per cent, had a storage capacity of seven hundred thousand bushels. As early as 1881 they were employing twenty men and were handling three million bushels of grain annually. This indicated the rapid growth in the business, for originally their shipment was but one carload per day and in 1881 it had reached eighty-five carloads daily. Still the business continued to grow rapidly and the firm owned and operated warehouses and elevators in various parts of the state, Mr. Himebaugh thus figuring as one of the most prominent representatives of the grain trade in Nebraska up to the time of his demise.

In Sycamore, Illinois, on the 6th of December, 1864, Mr. Himebaugh was united in marriage to Miss Annette C. Johnson, a native of Vermont, who survived her husband for a number of years and passed away September i, 191 1. They had a daughter, Grace L., who is yet living and who in 1910 became the wife of Oak Chatham Redick, of Omaha.

The death of Mr. Himebaugh occurred in San Jose, California, April i, 1890, and was a matter of the keenest regret to all who had been associated with him in the various relations of life. He was president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Omaha for seven years and vice president for one year and during his incumbency as president he gave to the organization twelve thousand dollars, which was used in the construction of its fine building. His life was ever guided by high principles and Christian teaching. He was in no sense an idealist or a dreamer, for he worked along the most practical lines for the uplift of the individual and the benefit of the community at large. He believed, however, in always choosing that which is best and was never content even with the second best. Striving for the accomplishment of greater things, he contributed much to his adopted city nOi o.ily along the line of its material expansion through his business efforts but also to its moral progress.

John E. Johnston

John E. Johnston, engaged in the undertaking business in Omaha, was born in Portage, Wisconsin, November i, 1878, a son of Andrew E. and Catherine (Kelly) Johnston, who are natives of New York and Wisconsin respectively. The father removed with his parents to the Badger state during his youthful days and there resided until 1878, when he came to Nebraska, making the trip with team and wagon, reaching his destination after six weeks of travel across the prairies of Illinois and Iowa. He homesteaded south of Kearney, in Frank- lin county, and there resided until 1894, when he sold his property and removed to the county adjoining Kearney on the north. There he devoted two years to farming and in 1906 he retired and took uj) his abode in Hastings, where he made his home until 1912. He then removed to Omaha and is now enjoying good health at the age of seventy-three years. It was on the ist of January, 1875, that Mr. Johnston was married and his wife also survives. He is now living retired, deriving his income largely from farm lands in Kearney county, which he owns. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom five are yet living.

John E. Johnston, the second in order of birth, acquired his education in the public schools and was graduated from the high school, remaining upon the home farm until 1903, when he came to Omaha. After a short time he joined N. P. Swanson in the undertaking business and was in his employ for three years, during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of the business in principle and detail. He was afterward associated with Leo A. Hoffmann, a well known undertaker of the city, for five years, holding the position of head embalmer and funeral director of the business. In 1912 he resigned in order to engage in business on his own account and formed a partnership with Patrick Duft'y, opening undertaking parlors at Seventeenth and Leavenworth streets. Not long afterward their present building was erected by the Independent Railway Company at No. 717 Sixteenth street, near Leavenworth. They have a well appointed establishment with commodious offices, waiting rooms, preparing rooms and chapel, and also showrooms on the main floor. Starting with a thorough knowledge of the business, Air. Johnston has steadily advanced and is now accorded a very liberal patronage. He is a graduate of the Nebraska Business College and of the Eckels Derma-Surgical College and is a licensed embalmer.

In xA.pril, 1909, Air. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Anastasia Keyser, of Omaha, her father being A. A. Keyser, a pioneer of this city. Their children are three in number, namely : Francis, William and Robert. Fraternally Mr. Johnston is identified with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is also connected with the Patriotic and Protective Order of Stags of the World. His fraternal relations as well as his business connections have brought him a wide acciuaintance and he has an extensive circle of friends in Omaha.

Dr. Antony Parsons, actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Valley, was born in Omaha, March 21, 1877, a son of Andrew J. and Martha Lizzie (Svard) Parsons. The father was born in Sweden but when twenty years of age came to the new world, arriving in Omaha in 1869. For more than forty years he engaged in farming near Valley and passed away in that city in 1915- He had long been a prominent and representative agriculturist and reliable business man and he had to some extent taken an active part in public affairs, serving in some of the township and school offices. His wife, also a native of S\vedcn, became a resident of Omaha about 1870 and was in New England for a short time before removing to the middle west. She is still living in Valley, where she is well known.

Dr. Parsons pursued his early education in the district schools of Douglas county and afterward attended Fremont College and also the college at Grand Island, Nebraska. In 1906 he entered the medical department of Creighton University at Omaha and was graduated therefrom on the completion of the full four years' course in 1910. His first practical experience came to him in a year's service as interne in the Omaha General Hospital. He has since studied at London, England, in the School of Tropical Medicine and he spent one year as medical missionary and surgeon in southwestern Africa. On account of his wife's health he returned to the United States and established his home at Uehling, Dodge county, Nebraska, where he practiced medicine for a year. He then came to Valley and has since here devoted his attention to medicine and surgery.

On the i6th of December, 191 1, at Newman Grove, Nebraska, Dr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Laura Schavland, who was born in Norway and when fifteen years of age came to the United States, making her way to Newman Grove, Nebraska. She had attended school in her native country and continued her education in the district and high schools of Nebraska. She afterward took up preparation for the profession of nursing and is a graduate of the Omaha General Hospital Training School for Nurses. In 1910 she was appointed the superintendent of the Physicians and Surgeons Hospital at North Platte, Nebraska, and following her marriage she went to London and to Africa with her husband. Dr. and Mrs. Parsons had two children but both died in infancy and they have since adopted a daughter, Helen.

In his political views Dr! Parsons is independent but is a close student of the questions and issues of the day and no man works more earnestly or effectively for the benefit of community interests. He believes in the "get together" plan, in the federation of interests for the general good of the district and in concerted action on the part of the citizens for the benefit of town and county. He is indeed public-spirited and his efiforts for the general good are bringing forth substantial returns. He is now serving on the school board and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Baptist church. Professionally he is connected with the Douglas County, the Nebraska State and the American Medical Associations and he has a very large practice, keeping at all times in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress having to do with the science of medicine and surgery.'

Erle B. Brown

Erie B. Brown, engaged in the real estate business at South Omaha, was born in Graham, Nodaway county, Missouri, August 13, 1878, a son of Isaac F. and Louisa J. (Bond) Brown, who were also natives of that state, the father representing an old pioneer family of Missouri, while the mother belongs to an old South Carolina family. He was a stock raiser, feeder and speculator and won substantial success in the conduct of his business afifairs, becoming one of the well known stock men of the west. In 1892 he removed to South Omaha, where he passed away in 1898 and where his widow is still living. They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters.

Erie B. Brown, who was the fourth in order of birth, acquired a public school education and when twelve years of age put aside his textbooks to take up business and since that time has earned his own livelihood. He was first employed by his father in the live stock business. He also sold papers and. like most boys, did various kinds of work. His first position of importance - a position that constituted a stepping stone to something higher - was with the Hammond Packing Company, which he represented as mail clerk for two years. He was afterward with Swift & Company as traveling representative and later as l^ranch house manager for five years, at the end of which time he entered the hog business, in which he continued for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to the road, being with the Cudaliy Packing Company for a year and afterward with the Iowa Hog & Cattle Powder Company as travelingsalesman and manager of the business. He continued with that company until January, 1907, when he turned his attention to the real estate and insurance busi- ness, in which he has since been actively and continuously engaged. He also devotes considerable attention to raising and feeding live stock, handling from Hve hundred to a thousand head of sheep and several hundred head of hogs upon a ninety-five acre tract of land. He has still further broadened his activities by organizing the Home Savings & Loan Association, of which he was secretary from the organization in 1907 until April, 1916. He is a man of determined purpose who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He recognizes both the difficulties and the possibilities of a situation and plans as readily to overcome the former as to utilize the latter, while the soundness of his judgment in business affairs is manifest in his continually growing success.

On the 13th of June, 1903, in South Omaha, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Jessie A. Carpenter, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Lintsford J. and Alice M. (Hoskins) Carpenter, both now deceased. The father was a native of Illinois and the mother of Ohio. During the early days he was official horse buyer for the United States government and continued in that work for many years. He and his wife were among the most prominent of the early settlers of South Omaha, being the fifth family to locate here, and in addition to his other interests Mr. Carpenter was for many years engaged in the livery and transfer business. Since they have passed away Mr. and Mrs. Brown have erected on Twenty-fourth street, between N and O streets, a business block Avhich they call the Carpenter block - a memorial to her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been born a daughter, Alice Ruth, whose birth occurred June 25, 191 3.

The parents are members of the R. L. Wheeler Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Brown is a democrat where national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot, considering on such occasions only the capability of a candidate for the office to which he aspires. Mr. Brown is a self-made man. Perseverance and diligence have been salient points in his character and determined effort has brought him to a creditable position in real estate circles in South Omaha. '

Rev. William F. Rigge

Rev. William F. Rigge, astronomer and teacher of physics in Creighton University, has devoted his life to the two lines indicated and his astronomical work especially has gained him wide reputation and made him known among the scientists of the country. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1857, and in the acquirement of his education attended successively the St. Xavier College at Cincinnati, the St. Louis University and Woodstock College near Baltimore, Maryland. He entered the Jesuit order in 1875 and was ordained in Woodstock in 1890 by Cardinal Gibbons. His life activities have been largely in the field of education and scientific research. For a time he was a teacher in St. Ignatius' College of Chicago, afterward in the St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, and in Georgetown University of Washington, D. C. He has for an extended period been a resident of Omaha, and was one of the original professors when Creighton University opened in 1878.

His deep interest, however, has been along the line of astronomy, but unable to devote his life thereto because of the strain put upon his eyes, he has for a quarter of a century been a physics teacher. In Georgetown University of Washington, D. C, more than two decades ago, he was obliged to abandon regular astronomic work because of his eyes, but since then at every possible opportunity he has continued his studies in the field of astronomy. Thoroughness characterizes him in all that he does and his work as an astronomer has gained him membership in the American Astronomical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, also in the Royal Astronomical Society of Great Britain, the Societe Astronomique de France and in others of less note. He has made a specialtyof preparing eclipse maps and has excelled in that field because of a system of his own that enables him to make such maps with remarkable speed, showing the exact location of ecHpses, the time they are visible and other general knowledge concerning such phenomena. He has what is probably the best equipped students' observatory in the country. It is considered an honor and privilege to be invited into this observatory to view the eclipses or other phenomena of the heavens. He has under his immediate supervision in Creighton about seventeen thousand dollars' worth of instruments, provided by the Creighton estate, and in the school has his own repair shop, being able to adjust and repair most of the instruments.

To illustrate the practical use of his astronomical calculations, we may mention Professor Rigge's testimony in a trial in the Omaha courts in 1910, in which a man was charged with placing dynamite on the doorstep of another, so arranged as to explode when touched. The evidence against the accused was entirely circumstantial, except the testimony of two girls who claimed to have seen the accused carrying the suitcase near the place at that time. Professor Rigge showed from a shadow in a photograph taken of these same girls just before they claimed to have seen the accused, that they were in error over thirty minutes, since the photograph was taken a mile away from the scene of the intended crime and one-half hour after the suitcase had already been found by the police. Professor Rigge's testimony, based on his scientific computations, formed the principal evidence for the prisoner, who was finally acquitted. To prove the accuracy of his calculations, a similar photo was made from the same point and at the same time to the minute, two years later, showing the shadow in both pictures to be in the identical position. This was a celebrated case, the first of its kind in criminal jurisprudence, and attracted the attention of leading lawyers, jurists and journalists all over the world. Rev. Rigge is perhaps the most widely known representative of the Catholic clergy in Omaha and is frequently called upon to speak before scientific societies of the city and state. While his reading has been broad, he has nevertheless specialized to such an extent that his opinions have largely become accepted as authority in the field of astronomy.

Hans Jacob Rolfs

Hans Jacob Rolfs is now living retired at Elkhorn but for many years was actively engaged in business as blacksmith and grain buyer. He was born in Holstein, Germany, November 17, 1835, a son of Joachim Henry and Katrina (Volsted) Rolfs, both of whom were natives of the same country. The father was a prosperous farmer there and, realizing the value of education, provided his children with excellent opportunities in that direction, two of his sons now being professors in colleges of Germany which are allied with Kiel University. The homestead farm - one in which the Rolfs have ever taken great pride - is still in the possession of the family.

battle of Champion's Hill and also in the siege of \'icksburg. Jle was afterward with the Department of the Gulf under General Banks in the Red River campaign. He enlisted at Champaign, Illinois, on the nth of August, 1861, and at the close of his three years' term was honorably discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the nth of August, 1864, at which time he sold his horse to the government. He then returned to Illinois and with a partner purchased eighty acres of land in Will county. Soon afterward, however, he sold that property and in 1866 came to Nebraska, where he was employed as a blacksmith during the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, working for one of the sub-contractors as a blacksmith and toolmaker. He was located at Brady Island and at North Platte, Nebraska, and afterward at Julesburg, Colorado, as the road advanced. At the last named place he sold his tools and went to the Black Hills country of Wyoming, where he did blacksmithing, while subsequently he followed his trade in Omaha. In 1868 he purchased land near Pilger, Stanton county, Nebraska, on which he located, but the following year removed to Klkhorn, Douglas county, where he purchased a blacksmith shop which he conducted for twelve years. Soon after his arrival in Elkhorn, he invested in two hundred and forty acres of land near the town, for which he paid ten dollars per acre, and later he bought forty-three acres more. In 1876 he turned his attention to the business of grain buying, which he followed at Elkhorn until he retired from active life in 1913. He built a grain elevator at Gretna, Nebraska, which he owned, and he also assisted in establishing the first bank in Elkhorn. As the years passed by he prospered in his undertakings and is now one of the substantial citizens of Douglas county.

Mr. Rolfs enjoys the high regard of all of his fellow townsmen and no worthy charity or undertaking ever seeks his aid in vain. He has given liberally toward the erection of churches, also the Knights of Pythias hall and other public institutions, and he cooperates generously in support of many plans and measures for the public good. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he has won his success since coming to the new world, his prosperity resulting from close application and indefatigable industry.

Alert and enterprising, watchful of every opportunity pointing to legitimate success and conducting his business along lines that measure up to the highest standards of business activity in the present age, R. F. Marcy as a member of the Farris-Marcy Company, live stock commission merchants, is meeting with excellent success in his operations in South Omaha, his offices being in the Exchange building. He was born in Ashland, Nebraska, December 10, 1888, a son of Harry and Kate (Bliss) Marcy, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respectively. They came to Nebraska in early life and here became acquainted, their marriage being celebrated in Ashland, this state. There the father afterward engaged in bridge building and construction work and became prominently known in that connection. He died in August, 1912, at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years, and his widow is now living in South Omaha at the age of fifty-eight years. In their family were three children, of whom the daughter Ida is living in Omaha, but Aubrey passed away in 1906 at the age of seventeen years.

R. F. Marcy, the eldest of the family, pursued his education in the public schools, completing his education in the high school at Mead, Nebraska, from which he was graduated in 1907. He then turned his attention to farming and stock raising in Saunders county and in that way learned how to judge stock and place a correct value upon all animals ready for the market. He continued his general agricultural interests until 1909, when he came to Omaha and joined

T. W. Farris in the organization of the Farris-Marcy Company. Almost from the beginning the firm won recognition as a leading factor in the live stock industry. They have surrounded themselves with an able corps of salesmen and buyers and in fact their business is thoroughly and carefully systematized with Mr. Marcy and P. C. Dixon in charge of the ofifice interests. In the cattle department A. F. Selinger acts as salesman, while Nels Purinton is feeder buyer, with equally competent men at the head of the hog and sheep departments. They work for the interests of their patrons, the number of whom is constantly growing, and thereby they contribute to their own success. They are found thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and the firm maintains a creditable position in connection with the live stock commission interests of South Omaha.

Mr. Marcy has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Seymour Lake Country Club and also has membership in the Commercial Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he stands high in citizenship as well as in business circles. His associates and contemporaries in business speak of him in terms of high regard and those who know him in other relations entertain for him confidence, respect and goodwill.

Dr. John W. Koutsky, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in South Omaha, was born in Saunders county, Nebraska, June 7, 1873, a son of Waclav and Barbara (Horak) Koutsky, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. Coming to America, they settled in Saunders county after residing for a brief period on the present site of Omaha. The father took up the occupation of farming, which he followed to the time of his death. He passed away in South Omaha in 1892 and his wife died in August, 1896, at the age of sixtythree years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four are yet living: Frank, John W., Joseph, and James.

Dr. Koutsky was the fifth in order of birth in the family. He pursued his education in the schools of Saunders county, also in the schools of North Bend, Nebraska, in the high school of South Omaha and in the Omaha Commercial College. His professional training was received in the Creighton Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. He at once entered upon active practice and has become recognized as one of the leading physicians of the state. His knowledge of the science of medicine is broad and accurate and he seems to display intuitive wisdom in his selection of remedial agencies. His labors are indeed fraught with good results and he has done much important professional work. He has served as city physician of South Omaha and that he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and scientific investigation is shown through his membership in the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He has also extended his efiforts to a limited extent in other directions by becoming one of the stockholders and directors of the Security State Bank.

In November, 1894. Dr. Koutsky was married to Miss Mary Vomacka, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Vomacka. Mrs. Koutsky died on March 27, 1898. She was the mother of one son, James, who was born in South Omaha in 1896 and was graduated from the high school, while at the present time he is attending the Bellevue College at Bellevue. Nebraska. Dr. Koutsky was married August 10, 1905, to Miss Julia Vomacka. a sister of his first wife. Their children are: Mary, who was born in June, 1906; Anna, in 1908; and Lucille, in 1910. All were born in South Omaha and the three younger children are attending school there.

Dr. Koutsky belongs to the Commercial Club and thus manifests his deep and abiding interest in the welfare and progress of his adopted city. His course has been marked by continuous progress and through persistent effort and laudable ambition he has worked his way upward, winning for himself a most creditable name and position in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability.

Edwin W. Cahow

Edwin W. Caliow is without question one of the best known and most popular citizens and business men of South Omaha, his wide acquaintance being the result of his connection with the South Omaha Live Stock Exchange. He is a member and vice president of the largest firm in the exchange, operating under the name of the Great Western Commission Company, in which he is closely associated with John M. Cook, who is equally well known and popular. This constitutes a combination of knowledge and experience not to be excelled in live stock circles. They have a very wide acquaintance among cattlemen and those connected with, the live stock industry and in live stock circles they have come to be known as the "Great Western Twins."

Edwin W. Cahow was born in Cass county, Iowa, January 17, 1871, and is a son of James P. and Samantha (Clancy) Cahow, both of whom were natives of Ohio. On removing westward to Iowa in 1865 they settled in Cass county, where the father engaged in farming until 1879. He then removed to a point near Lexington, Nebraska, where he engaged in the live stock business very successfully. There he lived until 1892, when he retired from active business and removed to Portland, Oregon, where he continued to reside until 1910, when death called him at the age of sixty-three years. Mrs. Cahow was reared, educated and married in Ohio and she, too, passed away in Portland, Oregon, in 191 1, at the age of sixty-three years.

Five children were born to them, of whom Edwin W. Cahow was the second. In his boyhood days he attended the public schools of Plum Creek, Nebraska, and afterward became a student in the Western Normal College, at Shenandoah, Iowa, there pursuing a commercial and shorthand course. Later he entered the live stock business as a representative of his father, with whom he continued until his removal to South Omaha on the ist of February, 1890. He then secured a position with a firm at the Union Stock Yards in South Omaha and was engaged in business in that way until he formed a partnership in the live stock commission business with James C. Dahlman, now mayor of Omaha. After the latter was elected to his present position in 1906 Mr. Cahow continued alone until 1914, when he became a member of the Great Western Commission Company, his chief associate being John M. Cook. This firm was merged with other well known live stock commission companies and is today the largest receiver of live stock on the Omaha market, their average receipts being upwards of twenty thousand head of cattle per month. These are handled in a notably short period of time. This firm employs a competent stafif of expert stockmen and special buyers and has in its employ men who are fitted by years of training in every department of the live stock industry, men who are thoroughly qualified to judge hogs, sheep and cattle.

On the 24th of December, 1891, Mr. Cahow was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Irwin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Irwin, well known and prominent people of Lexington, Nebraska, who settled in this state in pioneer times. Mr. and Mrs. Cahow have three children. Norman P., born in South Omaha in 1894, is now engaged in the live stock business. He married Miss Emma Rammer, of Omaha, and they have one child, Norman P., Jr., born May

Afr. Cahow gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has worked his way upward on his own merit and is indeed a self-made man, now prominent in business circles and also highly respected as a citizen. His name is well known throughout Nebraska and in other sections of the country as a live stock dealer and he is most active in promoting what is perhaps the foremost commercial interest of the city.

Peter G. Hofeldt

Peter G. Hofeldt is living retired in Elkhorn, deriving a substantial income, however, from valuable farming interests in this state. He was born in Schleswig. Germany, August 6,. 1850, and is a son of Glaus D. and Annie Margaret (Wommelsdorf ) Hofeldt, who were also natives of Germany, where the father followed the occupation of farming. He died when his son Peter was but eight years of age and the wife and mother, surviving her husband for many years, passed away at the age of seventy.

Peter G. Hofeldt was reared and educated in his native country and when twenty-two years of age crossed the Atlantic, arriving in Omaha on the 20th of June, 1872. He was first employed as a farm hand and at railroad work and in 1875 he married and began farming on his own account on rented land near Elkhorn. He was thus engaged until 1879, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 2, Chicago precinct, where he made his home until 1910. In the intervening period he carefully and systematically tilled his fields and brought his land to a high state of cultivation, making it most productive. At length, having become the possessor of a comfortable competence, he removed to Elkhorn and purchased a fine residence which he now occupies. In addition to the old homestead he owns a half section of land near Lexington, in Dawson county, Nebraska, and from his property holdings derives a substantial annual income.

On the i6th of February, 1875, at Omaha, Mr. Hofeldt was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary C. Backuus, a native of Holstein, Germany, and a daughter of Glaus J. and Christina Backuus, whom she accompanied on their emigration to the United States in 1872. Three years later, when Mrs. Hofeldt was fifteen years of age, the family home was established in Omaha. Glaus J. Backuus devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and both he and his wife have passed away, being at the time of their demise residents of Douglas county. Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Hofeldt became the parents of nine children, seven of whom still survive, as follows: Annie, the wife of Peter H. Fedde, who is an agriculturist of Gregory county. South Dakota; Mary, the wife of Morgan Jefferies, who is engaged in construction work in Omaha ; Tina, at home ; Peter C, engaged in construction work in Omaha ; Dorothy, at home ; Amanda, who gave her hand in marriage to Floyd Sebert, a farmer of Douglas county, Nebraska : and Lydia, who is still under the parental roof.

Mr. Hofeldt has always given stanch support to the democratic party and he has been township tax as.sessor for a number of years. In 1896 he was elected county commissioner, taking the office on the ist of January following. He continued to serve in that position for nine years or for three terms. He was chairman of the board for three years, although not consecutively, and when he retired from the board his fellow members thereof presented him with a fine engrossed set of resolutions, expressing their high regard for his faithful sendee to the county, and for the sterling character which had endeared him to the hearts of the citizens of the county. Tlie employes of the courthouse in Omaha presented him with a tine gold-headed cane on his fiftieth Inrthday. Such acts easily indicate the very high resj)ect entertained for him by all who have been associated with him and indicate, moreover, that his life has been honorable and upright in office as in other relations. Fraternally Mr. Hofeldt is connected with the Knights of Pythias of I^lkhorn and the Modern W'oodmen of America, and his religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the oi)j)ortunities which he sought and in their utilization has advanced to a position among the prosperous citizens of Douglas county. He is honored and respected wherever known and most of all where he is best known.

Isaac White Carpenter

Isaac \\ bite Carpenter is president of the Carpenter Paper Company, one of Omaha's foremost wholesale houses and the largest business of its kind west of the Mississippi, controlling many branch establishments in the leading cities of the west. He was born upon a farm in McHenry county, Illinois, October lo, 1856, and is descended from English ancestry although through several generations the family has been represented on this side of the Atlantic. The paternal grandfather. John Carpenter, was born in New York and became the father of Chester L.* Carpenter, whose birth occurred in Delaware county. New York, in 1816 and who. after arriving at years of maturity, was married in the Empire state to Olive Bloom, who was there born and reared. In 1845 they became residents of Reloit, Wisconsin, where Mrs. Carpenter passed away. Subsequently Mr. Carpenter removed to McHenry county, Illinois, and there wedded Elizabeth White, who in 1856 became the mother of Isaac White Carpenter. In the year 1S88 the family came to Omaha, where Mrs. Carpenter passed away in 1897, while the husband and father survived until 1905. Throughout the greater part of his life he had carried on agricultural pursuits.

Reared in the usual manner of farm lads, Isaac W. Carpenter divided his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. He supplemented his district school training by a course in the high school at Marengo, Illinois, and then in 1876 went to Chicago and learned the paper business with F. P. Elliott & Company at 210 Randolph street. In 1887. when a young man of thirty-one years, he came to Omaha and with his brothers established a wholesale paper business, which in i8go was incorporated under the name of the Carpenter Paper Company. Of this cor- ])oration Isaac W. Carpenter is now the president and something of the volume of the business under his control is indicated by the fact that the trade now o'ertops that of any similar house west of the Mississippi. Branches have been established in Kansas Cjty, Denver. Salt Lake City, Des Moines, Iowa, and in Lincoln, Nebraska, thus interlacing a broad territory in a commercial networkover which he has direct supervision. Erom the outset of his career he has been a persistent, resolute and energetic worker. His keen mentality has directed a jjrogressive spirit and his good judgment has been supplemented by a deep earnestness, impelled and fostered by indomitable perseverance. His commercial career has been characterized at every point by correct principle and practice and his executive force has been manifest in the way in wdiich he has kept his hand steadily upon the helm of his business. He has also become a factor in financial circles as a director of the Omaha National Bank.

On the 13th of October. 1881. in Chicago. Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Alary Caroline Batchelder. a daughter of James L. and Margaret P. Batchelder. the former now deceased. The children of this marriage are : Melinda AT., tiie widow of Arthur S. Lockwood : Olive Ruth, the wife of George

Isaac W. Carpknter

Mr. Carpenter belongs to the University and Happy Hollow Clubs and also to the Commercial Club and has been a cooperant factor in many projects which have developed the city and promoted its upbuilding. He was one of the directors of the Trans-Mississippi International Exposition, held in Omaha in 1898, and he has been a member of the Omaha board of education for the past two years. He has never sought nor desired political ofifice, however, and casts his ballot as an independent republican. One of his chief activities outside of business is the church and for a quarter of a century he has been a deacon in the Calvary Baptist church. He was also president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Omaha for fifteen years, located the site of the present building and was very active in raising the funds therefor. Important and extensive as are his business- interests, he has never allowed them to so monopolize his time and attention as to exclude his active participation in those fields where duty and humanity call and he has labored just as efifectively and just as earnestly to promote civic welfare and moral progress in his community as to develop his commercial interests.

Tacob Fred Smith

J. Fred Smith, a self-made man, whose constantly expanding powers and activities have in time made him the proprietor -of the largest brick manufacturing plant in the state of Nebraska, manages and controls his interests under the name of the Smith Brick Company. He was born in La Fayette, Indiana, October 10, i860, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, who were natives of Germany and in earlv life came to the new world,' both settling in Indiana, and there they were married. Engaging^ in business there, the father became well known as a brick molder and in 1877 tame to Omaha, where he began working at his trade in the employ of Benjamin Ittner. He died in 1906 at the age of sixty-eight years, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1870.

J. Fred Smith was the eldest of their five children. In early life he attended the schools of Omaha and of Elk City, Nebraska, after which he learned the brick making trade, which he has since followed. Desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he organized the Bailey & Smith Brick Manufacturing Company with Frank E. Bailey as a partner in 1882. They established their plant at Thirty-fourth and Burt streets, remaining at that location for three years, when a removal was made to Twenty-fifth and Hickory streets. The business was there conducted for five years, at the end of which time Mr. Smith became associated with Richard AI. Withnell, with whom he was connected for three years, and they then formed the Withnell Brothers & Smith Company, John \\'ithnell being admitted as a partner. Mr. Smith's identification with that firm covered a decade, at the end of which time his partners died and Mr. Smith then bought out the interest of their families in the business. He removed to Twenty-fourth and Woolworth streets, where he purchased eight acres of land and established his present yards. He has developed the business until it is the largest in this section of the country. He also operates a plant at Thirty-first and Lake streets, having bought the brickyard there in which he worked as a boy for seventy-five cents a day. This he also conducts and the two plants cover twenty-eight acres, the one on Twenty-fourth street covering eight acres and the other twenty acres. He has two kilns at each plant which are being continuously operated. His equipment is thoroughly modern, his machinery is of the latest pattern known to brick manufacturing, and every facility for turning out first class work has been secured. His trade has steadily grown until

In October, 1886, at Blair, Nebraska, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Aliss Ida Wilkinson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wilkinson, who were pioneer people of that locality. The father died in 1913 but the mother is still living. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Smith have four children. Harry H., who was born and educated in Omaha, being graduated from the high school, is now married and has one child, Frederick Wayne. William L. is in business with his father. Ralph Wilkinson, also associated with his father, is married and has one child, \\'illiam. Marvel, born in Omaha, is now a junior in the high school.

Mr. Smith exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is identified with several fraternal organizations, including the Royal Arcanum, the Woodmen of the World and the Foresters. He is likewise interested in the Young Men's Christian Association as one of its directors and is an active and earnest worker in the Grace Lutheran church, in which he has served as Sunday school superintendent for the past twenty years. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles and there is no phase of his career which will not bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. In his business career he has always followed constructive methods and his path has never been strewn with the wreck of other men's failures. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his time, talents and opportunities and his achievements have brought him to a place of leadership in brick manufacturing circles.

William Philip Byrne

The word Orpheum has become a synonym for high standards in entertainment circles and William Philip Byrne is well known as manager of the Orpheum at Omaha. He was born in this city August 26, 1869, a son of John E. Byrne. He attended the public schools until 1880, when his father's death obliged him to provide for his own support. When a lad of fifteen he entered the shops of the L'nion Pacific Railroad but after a year gave up his position there and became connected with the old Academy of ^Tusic on Douglas avenue, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. He acted for a year or two as call boy there and then went to the Boyd theatre, at that time situated on Fifteenth and Farnam streets. Later he became connected with the Grand Opera House on Fifteenth and Capitol avenue and about 1892 he entered the law office of A. J. Poppleton, whom he served in a clerical capacity for two years. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the new Boyd theatre, where he remained for two years, after which he was engaged by the Trans- Mississippi Exposition Company, being so employed for a year prior to the opening of the Exposition and remaining with it until its close in the fall of 1898. About that time the Orpheum was opened in Omaha and Mr. Byrne became secretary and treasurer, so continuing until 1908, when he was made manager for Omaha. He has ever held to the high standards of the Orpheum circuit and has given to Omaha a series of most attractive and high-class entertainments. From 1903 until 1910 he was manager of Manawa Park at Council Bluffs. Much of his life has been devoted to the show business and, thoroughly understanding public wants in this connection, he has developed a business of gratifying and profitable proportions.

On the 4th of February. 1891, in Council Blufi's. Iowa, Mr. Byrne was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Lewis, her father being the late Frank Lewis, who was born in Russia. They have become the parents of three children, namely: Ruth Marian, the wife of William N. Chambers, who is an attorney of Omaha and by whom she has a daughter, Billy Byrne Chambers ; Elizabeth, who gave

In his political views Mr. Byrne is a democrat. He is also well known in club circles, belonging to the Happy Hollow Club, the Omaha Press Club and the Commercial Club. He likewise has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Courteous, genial and obliging, his social qualities render him popular and as a self-made man he has the respect of all.

John Douglas

John Douglas, president of the Douglas Printing Company of Omaha, was born in Lorton, Cumberland county, England, December 15, 1863, a son of Isaac Douglas, a successful contractor and builder. He was also active in civic and political affairs in Cumberland county and his religious faith was that of an Episcopalian. He wedded Mary Nicholson, of Crosby Ravensworth, Westmoreland county, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom John Douglas was the seventh. Both parents have now passed away. The father died in 1901, at tKe age of eighty-seven years, and the mother's death occurred in 1906, at the age of seventy-one years.

John Douglas acquired his early education in the oublic schools of his native village and completed his studies in the Glasgow Academy. When seventeen years of age he started out to earn his own living, entering upon an apprenticeship to the printer's trade in Workington, Cumberland county, England. Later he worked at his trade as a journeyman for two years and then crossed the Atlantic, making his way direct to Omaha, where he arrived on the nth of May, 1884, joining his brother Isaac, who had preceded him to the new world about twelve years. John Douglas was first employed on the Omaha Bee. In 1902 the Douglas Printing Company was incorporated and was successor to a small printing business originally established by Mr. Douglas some years before. He started out in business for himself on a very small scale but the excellence of his work, his reasonable prices and his straightforward dealing have brought to him a constantly growing patronage, necessitating enlarged quarters and facilities, until he is now at the head of one of the most extensive enterprises of the kind in the city, ranking fourth today in size and volume of business. The company employs on an average thirty-five skilled workmen and has recently removed to more commodious quarters at Nos. 109 and in North Eighteenth street, occupying a building erected especially for the purpose. The plant of the Douglas Printing Company is equipped with the latest and most modern presses and machinery and is qualified to turn out any kind of work in its line.

On the 20th of February, 1889, Mr. Douglas and Miss Parthenia Poole Brenton were united in marriage in St. John's Episcopal church, Omaha, by the Pev. Osgood Pearson. Mrs. Douglas is a native of Ealmouth, England, and a daughter of John and Parthenia Brenton. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas have had three children : John Brenton, who was born December 9, 1889, and passed away August 8, 1907, at the age of eighteen years; Howard Nicholson, who was born in Omaha. May 9, 1896, and is now in business with his father: and Donald Brenton, born October 5, 1907.

Mr. Douglas was a member of the Fifth Lanark Rifle Volunteers, Glasgow. Scotland, and took part in the Edinburgh review before Her Majesty Queen Victoria, in 1883. He belongs to Clan Gordon of the Order of Scottish Clans and is a member of Shakespeare Lodge of the Sons of St. George. He is also a Scottish Rite Mason of the thirty-second degree and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and he further has membership with the Modern W'oodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United ^^'orkmen and the Fraternal L^nion, while along strictly social lines his connection is with the Seymour Lake Club. He is also prominent in many of the athletic games of the old country and for a number of years has been captain of the Omaha Cricket Club. His religious faith is evidenced in his membershij) in St. Andrew's Episcopal church, of which he is .senior warden. I'olitically he is a democrat where national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. Starting out in life for himself at the age of seventeen, equipped with a fair education, Mr. Douglas has made good use of his time and his chances, making industry and close application count as the factors in his growing success. He has kept in touch with the continual progress and development that is being made in the printing business and in fact has maintained a position of leadership in this line in Omaha, so that he is today one of the most successful of the representatives of the printing business in the city.

William Edward Callahan

William Edward Callahan, whose business ability and thorough understanding of the scientific problems and practical phases of the work which he has chosen as a life vocation have enabled him to secure and successfully execute large contracts in general railroad construction and irrigation work, is a prominent representative of industrial activity in Omaha. He was born in Winterset, Iowa, January 6. 1883. a son of William Francis Callahan and a grandson of Jerry "Callahan. The latter was born in Ireland and spent his last days in Omaha, where he passed away in 1891, but in the meantime had resided for a considerable period in Iowa, and his son, William F. Callahan, was born in Ottumwa, that state, in 1856. He, too, became a resident of Omaha and in 1885 established the Callahan lirothers Construction Company, w^hich was incorporated in April, 1908, under the name of the Callahan Construction Company. He was thus prominently identified with contract work in Omaha and this section of the country for a considerable period but at the present time is livmg in Arlington, California. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary OToole, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and it was in 1881 that they arrived in Omaha, where they remained until their removal to the Pacific coast.

\\'illiam E. Callahan has spent practically his entire life in this city and is indebted to its parochial school system for his early educational opportunities, while later he attended Creighton College, from which he was graduated in 1905 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the employ of his father, who was president of the Callahan Construction Company, and under his direction he mastered every phase of the business in principle and detail so that he was well qualified to take up the work of executive control and administrative direction w^hen in 191 3 he succeeded his father in the presidency. The company does general contract work in railroad construction and the building of irrigation plants and many important contracts have been awarded them, making their business one of large volume. Aside from his interests in that connection Mr. Callahan is a director in the Pyramid Lake Mining Company of Reno, Nevada. He is extensively engaged in the construction of highw^ays and is now operating in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi, utilizmg the celebrated Finley method of road preservation, for which modern scientific system he has the exclusive right for Texas, Mississippi and Nebraska.

On the 23d of April, 1906, in Sioux City, Iowa, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Callahan and Miss Lucile Marie Cassidy. They have become the parents of two daughters, Mary Ann and Lucile Marie.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Callahan is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He belongs also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he holds membership with the Rotary Club and the Athletic Ckib of Omaha. In poHtics he maintains an independent course, preferring to hold himself free from party ties that he may support the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for the positions which they seek. He has been a lifelong resident of Omaha and ever a stalwart supporter of its best interests, while his business affairs, important and extensive, rank him with the leading representatives of industrial activity there.

Burdell Franklin Miller

Burdell Franklin Miller, who since 1907 has continuously been identified with professional interests in Omaha as an architect, was born in Cleveland, r)hio, October 27, 1870, and is a representative of an old New England family. His great-great-grandfather, Lyman Miller, was a native of Massachusetts and it was in that state that the great-grandfather, Lyman Miller, was also born. The latter served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Celia Wheeler, a daughter of Benjamin Wheeler, who was a native of Massachusetts and removed to Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, where he owned a large tract of land. He was born February 7, 1764, at Rehoboth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, and was a pensioner of the Revolutionary war, having served from the spring of 1777 until after the capture of Cornwallis in 1781, being discharged at \Yest Point. The father of Benjamin Wheeler came to this country from England about the beginning of the eighteenth century and settled in Massachusetts. His descendants included Presideiit James, Buchanan and General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate army, the latter with others of his family being frequent visitors to the home of Hiram Miller, !in Ohio, previous to the Civil war. Lyman Miller was the father of Hiram. Barlow Miller, who was born in Canandaigua, New York, April 3, 1807, and who passed away September 15, 1888, at Hinckley, Medina coimty, Ohio; where he located in 1833, a pioneer to that section of the Western Reserve of Ohio. His life had been devoted to general agricultural pursuits. Hiram Barlow Miller married Mariah Deming, born in Williamstown, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. May 24, 1808, and her death occurred at Hinckley, Ohio, March 10, 1876. She was a daughter of David Deming, of W^illiamstown, Massachusetts, who was born November 12, 1784, and died in August, 1875. Franklin Deloss Miller, father of Burd F. Miller, was born in Hinckley. Ohio, October 17, 1843, and in the year in which he attained his majority he enlisted at Cleveland. Ohio, for service in the Civil war, joining Company G of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in May, 1864. Refusing an appointment to the rank of orderly sergeant, he served as a private until mustered out at Cleveland in the following August and he participated in the engagement at Fort Stevens, near Washington, D. C. He was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Enright, who was born in County Tipperary. Ireland, March 2, 1845. In 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Franklin D. Miller removed to Albion, Nebraska, and in 1890 came to Omaha, where he has since resided. Mrs. Miller passed away January 29, 191 5.

In the schools of Hinckley, Ohio, Burdell F. Miller began his education, which he continued in the high school of Albion. Nebraska. He afterward entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company at Omaha, being connected with the auditing department for two years. He then entered the freight ofifice of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, being there employed for four years, on the expiration of which period he became connected with the planing mill business in Omaha as a partner of his father-in-law, Abraham Rosenbery. That association was maintained for about five years, when Mr. Miller became connected with the Adams & Kelly Company, sash and door manufacturers, which firm he represented upon the road as a traveling salesman in Nebraska, Iowa. Colorado. Missouri and Kansas. In 1905 he gave up that position and went to the coast, finally settling in Spokane, where he remained tor two years, during which period he had charge of the estimating department of the Washington Mill Company. While a resident of Spokane he studied and practiced architecture and since his return to Omaha in 1907 he has been continuously and successfully engaged in architectural work, winning a liberal patronage in that connection. Mr. Miller is recognized as an authority on bungalow planning and building, and his book on this subject, with over one hundred drawings, has a circulation throughout the United States and many foreign countries.

In Omaha, June 6, 1894, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Etta May Rosenbery, a daughter of Abraham Rosenbery, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Omaha in 1856 and for years owned at Omaha the largest planing mill in Nebraska. The children of this marriage are Gladys Ethel, Lila Gertrude and Burdell Rosenbery.

Mr. Miller exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the repul^lican party and was appointed state architect by Governor Chester H. Aldrich. He served for three years under that administration and for one year under Governor Morehead. He is a broad thinker and deep reasoner and he is now president of the local Theosophical Society. In Masonry he has attained the degrees of the Scottish Rite and he is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to both the Happy Hollow and Ad clubs of Omaha and is widely and favorably known in this city, in which much of his business life has been passed. His career has been characterized by consecutive progress wrought along well defined lines of labor, and enterprise and laudable ambition have brought him to his present creditable position.

Joseph L. Baker

Perhaps no Nebraska manufacturer is better known than Joseph L. Baker, whose name has within a decade become a familiar one in industrial circles throughout the country. He has always been identified with big things and his executive force and powers of organization have led to the successful accomplishment of his purpose. His attention is now largely concentrated upon the interests of the Baker Ice Machine Company, of which he was one of the company organizers and the principal owner and almost from the beginning has been the directing head. He was born in Dennis Port, Massachusetts, October 11, 1854, his parents being Joseph K. and Hannah F. (Small) Baker, who were also natives of Dennis Port, where they were reared, educated and married. The ancestral line is traced back to Peter and Richard Baker, who came to America from England in 1635, being the founders of the family in the new world. The father became identified with the fish ,packing industry and in that connection accumulated a large fortune as wealth was judged in those days. He became one of the leading business men of Dennis Port, and was also a prominent and influential factor in political circles in his community and state, serving during the last sixteen years of his life as a member of the governor's council, with three governors. His death occurred in Dennis Port in 1885, when he was fifty-eight years of age. His widow survived him until 1901 and passed away in Dennis Port at the age of seventy- fovir. She, too, was of English lineage, representing a family that was founded on American soil about 1640. By her marriage she became the mother of four children.

Joseph L. Baker, the third in order of birth, began his education in the Friends' School of Providence, Rhode Island, now Moses Brown College, and afterward attended Dean's Academy at Franklin, Massachusetts. After completing his studies he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he secured a position in the ofiice of a large importing and exporting establishment, there remaining in various capacities for ten years, and became an important factor in the management of that business. He afterward decided to come to the west and made his way to Scribner, Nebraska, where he bought a lumber and coal yard. Later he went to West Point, Nebraska, where he continued until 1885, when the business was incorporated together with other business of the same kind as the Crowell Lumber & Grain Company, of which company he was one of the incorporators. He was secretary of that company until 1889, when he retired from the company, taking as his share the business formerly operated by the Crowell Lumber & Grain Company, at Scribner, Crowell, West Point and Beemer, which business he continued until 1891 when he sold part of his yards and moved with his family to Omaha, where he has since resided, continuing in the lumber business with his son along with his other lines up to the present time.

After moving to Omaha he continued his activities by entering into connection with several important business undertakings and corporations, among which were the Baker Hard Wall Plaster Company and the Baker Cementicd Company, with mills at Blue Rapids, Kansas, Hot Springs, South Dakota, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Fort Dodge, Iowa. He continued in this growing business until 1900, when his interests in these different companies were merged with the incorporation of the United States Gypsum Company, of Chicago (today one of the largest companies of its kind in the world), of which company he was one of the directors for four years, and his business foresight and ability to handle big things were recognized by his associates, and he was made chairman of the executive committee of this company and served in that capacity for seven years. He was also a member of the finance committee of that company.

During the years above mentioned, not being satisfied unless he had several kinds of business operating at the same time, he was a member of The Baker Furniture Company, and actively engaged in the furniture business, under that name, also was interested in the farm implement business, and in 1905 organized and gave much of his time, which he is now devoting, to the Baker Ice Machine Company, which has developed into one of the most widely known companies in this line of business in the United States.

In this connection one of the Omaha Papers said, "What Mr. Baker has done for himself and Omaha is a story of one of the big achievements of the business world. For eleven years this company has made itself known throughout not only Omaha's trade territory, not only the United States, but throughout the world. That this wonderful record has been possible is due to the generalship of this company's president. Alediocre products would not have done it. Ordinary business ability could not have made it possible. No, it was a perfect product, and an extraordinary brain-power behind it that sent it to the furtherest cities of the earth and brought back repeat orders for more and more. Ten years ago, when Mr. Baker bought out his partner, the business was small. Today it is one of the largest companies of its kind in the world, making small and medium sized ice making machines known, wherever they are sold, as the ]>est produced in the country. In choosing Omaha as the headquarters for his manufacturing business Mr. Baker has done a bigger thing for this city than ])robably even he himself ever dreamed of, for his products are in use all over the world and bear the stamp of 'made in Omaha' and thus Omaha is constantly advertised even to the people of far distant climes. Branches and agencies of the company are maintained in Philadelphia, Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, Seattle. San Francisco, and representatives are boosting its goods in other large cities in the country. Baker ice-making machines are found wherever man is civilized. Should a resident of Omaha on a w^orld trip inquire in most of the countries of Europe, Asia, Africa or in the tropical islands of the .\tlantic and Pacific, he would find a 'friend' from home in the Baker ice machine. The machines 'deliver the goods' wherever they are in operation, and do even more than is claimed for them. 'I"he company in the last few years has branched ont, widening its scojje nntil now it manufactures ice-making machines for packing houses, hotels, cold storage plants and other big institutions. Small machines for private residences also are among the company's products. These machines are made in the company's factory at Omaha. The Baker Company is one of the highest type of home industry. Through investment it represents a permanent feature of Omaha's industrial life. The plant covers half a block square and means to Omaha an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In ])ay rolls it is giving to Omaha something tangible, for from eighty to one hundred high class workmen, drawing good wages, are earning their li\ing from the company, and these men, under the leadership of such a general of business as Mr. Baker, are among the best citizens of the city."

Mr. Baker is a member of the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers and his scientific attainments are widely recognized, both within and without that organization.

In addition to Mr. Baker's other lines, he has been quite largely interested in banking at different points where he was interested in business, and has organized three banks, together with his associates, at the different points and held the position of president or vice president in each.

Feeling that his large business interests were occupying more time than he should give to business, and as a matter of recreation, he started a stock ranch in Custer county, Nebraska, to which he has gradually added one farm after another until he has something* over two thousand acres in one body, on which he raises blooded cattle, horses and hogs, and spends a great deal of time there, when he feels the need of such recreation, and thinks that this has added to his life materially by having the much needed rest which he finds on the ranch, probably one of the best equipped ranches in the state, being supplied with modern machinery of every description to facilitate the work.

In August, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Baker and Miss Lucy Thatcher Hutchinson, a graduate of Cambridge Massachusetts University, and a representative of a prominent Massachusetts family. She was born at Dennis Port, Cape Cod, a daughter of Captain Thomas and Olive (Thatcher) Hutchinson, of the place. Her father was a naval captain of the Civil war and achieved great honors while in the service. He was born at Salem, Massachusetts, where he attended school. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being eligible to membership in that society from both sides of her ancestry. Mrs. Baker's people on her mother's side, represent one of the oldest families of'Massachusetts. the ancestry line tracing back to three brothers, Peter, Anthony and Thomas Thatcher, who came to this country in 1630. Peter Thatcher was a Congregational minister in England before coming to this country. Thomas Thatcher was the first minister of the old South church in Boston. Thatcher Island, off the coast of Maine, was named after Anthony, the third" brother. When coming to this country with his family the ship in which they came was wrecked off the Maine coast and all the family, except Anthony, lost. The island on which he landed was given his name.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker have become the parents of three children. Richard, bom at Scribner. Nebraska, in 1883, is a graduate of the Omaha high school and later attended Williams College, at Williamstown, Massachusetts, and is now engaged in the lumber, grain, coal and live stock business at several points in Nebraska. Mrs. Olive (Baker) Kelly was born at West Point, Nebraska, in 1885, is a graduate of the Omaha high school and Smith College, of Northampton, Massachusetts, and has two children, Harriet Thatcher Kelly, now two and a half years of age, and Jean Thatcher Kelly, an infant. Chester Arthur Baker was born in West Point, Nebraska, in 1891. has completed a high school course in Omaha and later attended Worcester Academy, at Worcester, Massachusetts.

and consistory degrees up to thirty-two, and is also a Shriner. He belongs also to the Woodmen of the World and his interest in community affairs is indicated in his membership in the Commercial Club, likewise in the Omaha Club, Field Club, Happy Hollow Club, Athletic and University clubs, and he has a keen appreciation for the social amenities of life. In a word, he has a well balanced character in which interests are given due recognition of time and attention. While he possesses notable business ability and powers of organization, he has never allowed business to warp his nature through the concentration of his efforts and attention along a single line, but has kept in touch with the trend of world thought, action and progress and is often found in those gatherings where the leaders are met in the discussion of vital problems.

Charles Witte

Charles Witte occupies one of the fine modern homes of Elkhorn, in which town he has resided since 1893. He had previously been engaged in general farming in Douglas county and later he carried on general merchandising in Elkhorn, but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, January 16, 1857, a son of August and Sophia (Ouitzo) Witte. The father was born in the province of Brandenburg, Germany, and there learned the tailor's trade. Crossing the Atlantic in June, 1853, he made his way to Davenport, Iowa, where he was first employed as a laborer. There he was married to Sophia Quitzo, who was also a native of Brandenburg, and who, in 1856, became a resident of Davenport, Iowa. In 1874 they removed to Douglas county, Nebraska, and Mr. Witte purchased land in Chicago township, near Elkhorn. He afterward engaged in farming for many years but eventually retired from active business life and took up his abode in Elkhorn, where he passed away in 1900, having for three years survived his wife, who died in 1897.

Charles Witte acquired his education in the public schools of Davenport, Iowa, and in 1874, when a youth of seventeen years, accompanied his parents to this county. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation of the home farm until 1880 and through the two succeeding years was engaged in farming on his own account in Douglas county. In 1883 he removed to Codington county. South Dakota, then a part of Dakota territory, where he secured preemption and tree claims, remaining thereon until 1891, when he disposed of his property and again came to Douglas county, after which he cultivated the old homestead farm until 1893. In that year he established a general store in Elkhorn, where he continued actively in business until March i, 191 1. He then retired and now makes his home in Elkhorn, where he occupies an attractive residence thoroughly modern in all its equipment and conveniences. He still owns several farms, having made judicious investments in lands which return to him a gratifying annual income. His carefully managed business affairs have made him one of the most prosperous citizens of his district.

On the i2th of June, 1881, at Elkhorn, Nebraska, Mr. Witte was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Jane Hopper, a native of Thamesville, Ontario, Canada, and a daughter of William and Dorothy (Farrell) Hopper, who were born in Ireland and Ontario. Canada, respectively. In 1876 they took up their abode among the pioneer residents of Elkhorn, Douglas county, Nebraska, where Mr. Hopper became a successful agriculturist and prominent citizen. Both he and his wife passed away in Elkhorn, leaving each of their nine children in very comfortable financial circumstances. Mr. and Mrs. Witte have four children, all born in Elkhorn, as follows: Arthur Clarence, who lives at home and cultivates his father's land; Eda Belle, the wife of Charles William Hickey, a physician of Bennington, Douglas county, by whom she has two children.

Elizabetli IJernice aiul Konia Alice ; William August, a druggist of Bennington, this county ; and Rose Alice, who is the wife of George Rufus Cunningham, a painter and decorator of Elkhorn, Nebraska.

In i^olitics Air. \\'itte is a stalwart republican, active in support of the party. He has served on the village board of Elkhorn since 1893 save for a period of two years. He acted as clerk of the board for a long period and is now in that office. On the 15th of August, 1898, he was appointed postmaster of Elkhorn by President McKinley and so served until October, 1914. He has been identified with many interests of importance to his community. He is president of the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association of Elkhorn and of Waterloo and since 1891 has been a member of the Douglas County Agricultural Society. In 1901 he was elected a member of its board, became vice president in 1901, was chosen president in 1906, again in 1907 and once more in 1914. He has proven a capable official of the society and one who has done much to further its interests. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and has served as clerk in the local camp. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias and in the Masonic lodge of Waterloo, in which he has twice been master, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of sterling worth and as a citizen of value. He has been found as thoroughly reliable in public office as in business affairs and it is well known that his integrity in business matters stands as an unquestioned fact in his career.

Grant Parsons

Grant Parsons, contractor and builder of Omaha and the president of the Nebraska Master Builders' Association, was born in Tucker county, West Virginia, December 7, 1865, ^ son of Cornelius and Laverna Parsons. The family is of English origin and was founded in America at an early day, settlement being made near Jamestown, \^irginia, in 1621. This fact has been thoroughly established, being a matter of record in the "History of the Parsons Family," issued in 1914. The grandfather, James Parsons, was a planter and slaveholder, but that he was a most just and considerate master is indicated in the fact that after the war his slaves continued in his service. Cornelius Parsons was born in West Virginia and became a teacher when but sixteen years old, devoting forty-two years of his life to the work of an educator. He also followed the occupation of farming and he was very active and prominent in political and civic matters, giving earnest support to the republican party. He died in Grant county, West Virginia, March 17, 1914, at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife passed away in 1872.

Grant Parsons, the eldest of their three children, was educated in the public schools of West Virginia and in the Normal School at Fremont, Nebraska, in which he spent two terms. His youthful experiences were those of the fann lired boy and at the age of eighteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. After serving for a four years' term he was employed as a journeyman for a period of eleven years. In 1885 he came to Nebraska, settling at Fremont, where he entered the building business on his own account, continuing successfully in that line for eleven years. He then removed to Omaha, where he has since conducted business as a contractor and builder, meeting with growing success as the years have gone by. He now specializes in the construction of concrete buildings and was one of the first to take up this branch of the business in Omaha. He has erected many of the large and important buildings in this and neighboring cities and states, his operations extending over Iowa, Colorado and South Dakota. Broad experience and close study of every phase of the business have given him comprehensive knowledge of the work in principle and detail and his efficiency places him, in the foremost rank among- the builders of his city. He came to Nebraska with a cash capital of five dollars and, moreover, he was an entire stranger in the state. His success is therefore attributable entirely to his own efforts and worth and he may indeed claim the proud American title of self-made man.

On the 1 2th of November, 1889, at St. George, West Virginia, Mr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Frances L. Dietz, a native of that state and a daughter of John H. and Virginia (Bowman) Dietz, representing an old Virginia family of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. The father still survives, but the mother has passed away. On her father's side the family history has been traced back to the old \'an Mater family, who received from King George a grant of land in the Potomac valley of Virginia, a part of which is still in the possession of the family. Among her ancestors was Colonel Abraham Bowman, of Randolph county, \'irginia, who fought with the Continental troops in the Revolutionary war. and another ancestor. Lieutenant Felton, served in the British army as a member of the staff of General Cornwallis. Her great-grandfather Minear served in the War of 1812 and her father was a soldier in the Union army, enlisting when but eighteen years old and remaining at the front until the close of the war in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have been born five children, namely Alice, who is the wife of Roy B. Tedrow, of Omaha; Marion, who gave her hand in marriage to W illiam J. de Winter, of Omaha ' Neal D., who died in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, in March. 1916; Marjorie; and Dorothy.

Mr. Parsons maintains an independent course politically. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to St. John's Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., and also to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He has an interesting military record covering nine years' service as a member of Company E of the First Nebraska Regiment of the National Guard, his company heing a Fremont organization. In club circles he is well known, belonging to the Commercial and Seymour Lake Country clubs. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian church, in which he is serving as a trustee. Li trade circles he is well known as a member of the Omaha Builders Exchange, of which he is a past president, and as a member of the Nebraska Master Builders' Association, of which he is now serving his second term as president.

Nathan Phillips Dodge

Nathan Phillips Dodge, a citizen of Omaha and prominent in the real estate business in that city, was born in Council Bluff's. Iowa, March 24, 1872. a son of Nathan Phillips and Susie (Lock wood) Dodge. His father, Nathan P. Dodge, came with his father. Sylvanus Dodge and brother, Grenville M. Dodge, to Nebraska in 1855 from Peabody, Massachusetts, and settled on the Elkhorn river just northwest of Elk City. Their cabin near the crossing of the Elkhorn was the last white man's habitation on the transcontinental highway until Salt Lake City was reached. Later, on account of the depredations of the Indians, the family had to abandon the homestead and seek safety in Council Bluff's, where they made their permanent home.

After attending the public schools of Council Bluff's, Iowa. Nathan P. Dodge spent two years as a pupil in Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Massachusetts - from 1887 until 1889 - and in the fall of the latter year entered the Phillips Exeter Academy, at Exeter, New Hampshire, where he also studied for two years. From 1891 until 1894 he attended Harvard University, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree, and then, entering upon the study of law, attended the Harvard Law School from 1894 until 1897. For three years thereafter

The year 1900 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Dodge in Omaha and he became manager of a company which was organized by the stockholders of the Omaha Savings Bank to liquidate that institution, which closed its doors in 189C. After a few years he acquired a controlling interest in the Midland Guaranty and Trust Company, one of the leading abstract and title companies in Omaha, and took active charge of the business, in connection with wdiich he gradually built up a real estate business under the name of N. P. Dodge & Company. Extending his operations in the real estate field, Mr. Dodge in 1907 began the purchase and development of resident tracts or additions to Omaha and other cities, and the business has been increased and extended until now the company has nearly seventy real estate subdivisions in about fifty cities of the United States, extending from Maine to Wyoming and from North Dakota to Texas. In addition to his interests in that connection, Mr. Dodge is a director of the Council Bluffs Savings Bank, president of the West Lawn Cemetery- in Omaha and the W'alnut Hill Cemetery of Council Bluffs, is vice president of the Dodge-Wallace Company of Council Bluffs and is a trustee of the estates of N. P. Dodge, Sr., and General Grenville M. Dodge.