Omaha City (part 23 of 26)

In June, 1907, at Brookline, Massachusetts, Mr. Dodge was married to Miss Laura C. Whitney, daughter of Henry M. Whitney, granddaughter of General James S. Whitney, of Massachusetts and a niece of William C. Whitney, of New York city. Her father is one of the leading business men of Boston of the last generation. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge have become the parents of two children : Nathan Phillips Dodge III, born October 5, 1910 ; and Laura Whitney, born September 24, 1914.

Mr. Dodge is a prominent republican. He has served on the county and state central committees and was president of the Hughes Alliance for Nebraska in 1916. He was elected a member of the house of representatives for the term of 1905 to 1907 and by reelection was continued in the office for four years. He was also a member of the state senate from 1913 until 1917, and w'as a delegate at large to the repubican national convention of 1916. Mr. Dodge is a Consistory Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs also to the Omaha and University clubs of Omaha and the Harvard Club of New York.

Valentine Joseph Peter

\'alentine Joseph Peter, publisher of the Tagliche Omaha Tribune, the only German Daily published in Nebraska and in fact in a district covering several western states, was born at Steinbach, Bavaria, Germany, on the 24th of April, 1875, his parents being George and Katharine (Welzenbach) Peter, who came to this country in 1889 ^"d located with their family at Rock Island, Illinois.

Valentine J. Peter was at that time a youth of fourteen years. From early manhood he has devoted his time and energies to newspaper publication. When twenty-four years of age he purchased the Volks-Zeitung, a semi-weekly paper of Rock Island, Illinois, on which he had previously worked. He had also been city editor for three and one-half years of the Tagliche Peoria Sonne of Peoria. Illinois. For eight years he successfully published the Volks-Zeitung at Rock Island and then removed to Omaha, where he consolidated all of the German papers - the Westliche Presse, the Omaha Tribune, the Nebraska Tribune and the Post Tribune into the Tagliche Omaha Tribune, with a weekly issue. The new publication further absorbed the following weekly German papers : the Staatsanzeiger, of Des Moines, Iowa ; the Biene, of Fort Dodge, Iowa ; the Nebraska Staatszeitung of Nebraska City, Nebraska ; the Germania, of Bloomfield, Nebraska ; the A^olksblatt. of Westpoint ; and the Zeitung. of Fremont. The Tagliche Omaha Tribune is recognized as one of the most widely circu- lated and influential German dailies in the country. Mr. Peter also owns the Freie Presse at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the Volksblatt at St. Joseph, Missouri, which are important German weeklies. His newspapers are independent in politics.

On the 26th of April, 1905, at Rock Island, Illinois, Mr. Peter was united in marriage to Miss ^Margaret Reese, born in New York City, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Rudolph Reese, now of Omaha but formerly of Davenport, Iowa. Theodore R. Reese, father of Mrs. Peter, is one of the best known German musicians and composers in the United States, having charge of the German musical organizations of Omaha. He was formerly director of the German Opera Company of New York, was for many years director of the Sangerbund of the Northwest and is now director of the Nebraska Sangerbund. By her marriage Mrs. Peter has become the mother of seven children, six sons and one daughter.

Mr. Peter is a member of the Omaha Athletic Club, also of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and numerous German social and benevolent organizations. For the past eight years he has been the president of the German- American Alliance of Nebraska. He is recognized as one of the successful German publishers of the country. The Tagliche Omaha Tribune is regarded as one of the principal successes in the German publishing business of the country in late years.

John Spear Brady

The pleasure of successful achievement rightfully belongs to John Spear Brady, for along well defined lines of labor he has advanced until he now occupies a leading position in commercial circles in Omaha as the vice president of the McCord-Brady Company, wholesale grocers. He was born in Ohio county, now West \'irginia. May 30, 1848, a son of William Perry Brady, a grandson of John Brady and a great-grandson of Captain Samuel Brady, who was an officer of the Revolutionary war and served as captain of scouts in western Pennsylvania during the Indian wars. To a still more remote period the ancestry is traced, the founder of the family in the new world being Hugh Brady, who was of English birth and came to America during the latter part of the sixteenth century, his death occurring in 1732. During his connection with the American army in the Revolutionary war Captain Brady was closely associated with General Washington and during the latter part of his identification with the government service was captain of scouts. During all of the years of his connection with government service he never received nor would he accept any remuneration for the aid which he rendered his country. His son John figured prominently in civic affairs and for years was a member of the Virginia legislature. A man of high ideals, patriotism was numbered among his marked characteristics and he was ever regarded as a most true and loyal citizen.

William P. Brady, like his ancestors, became a tiller of the soil and in A\'est Virginia was prominently known as a successful planter and slaveholder, at the time of the Civil war losing the greater part of his fortune. Following the close of hostilities he removed with his family to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he resided to the time of his death. In early manhood he wedded Anna Mary Vance, a native of Pennsylvania and a representative of one of the old families of that state.

John S. Brady was one of a family of eight children and on account of the conditions brought about by the Civil war he received but limited educational opportunities. After the removal to St. Joseph, Missouri, he was employed in the wholesale grocery house of Nave, McCord & Company, of that city, entering that establishment in t866 as an office boy. He filled various positions with credit antl abilit}' until 1S79 aiul then Ijccame a junior partner in the iirm of McCord. Brady & Company, of Omaha. Nebraska, when the present business was estabHshed. On the reorganization and incorporation of the business, which has since l)ecome the McCord-Hrady Company. Mr. Brady l)ecame vice president and in that capacity has since continued, h'rom liis earliest connection with the company he has taken an active and helpful part in promoting its interests and much of the success, especially of the Omaha house, is due to his efforts, his able management and his keen sagacity. The other oflficers of the company are: William II. ]\IcCord. president; F. J. Jloel, treasurer; and Charles L. Deuel, secretary. This company has one of the largest wholesale grocery establishments of the west, its business extending over ten states, and they employ two hundred and fifty people. The building has a floor space of two hundred and fifty thousand square feet and occupies an entire half block, from No. 719 to 723, on South Thirteenth street. It is admirably situated, having railroad switches which furnish splendid, shipping facilities, and the growth of the business has rivaled that of the parent house in St. Joseph, which is one of the leading houses of the kind in that state.

In St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1881, Mr. Brady was married to Anna Elizabeth Gore, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Dr. J. Allen and Zerelda (Vaughn) Gore. They have become the parents of two children: Bess, now the wife of Thomas L. Davis, cashier of the First National Bank of Omaha ; and Hallack McCord. who is connected with the St. Joseph house.

Mr. Brady holds membership in the Omaha Country Club, the Omaha Club and the Omaha Commercial Clulj. He also has membership with the Sons of the American Revolution and he is a member and vestryman of All Saints' Church of Omaha. While his start in the business world was a most humble one he is now one of the strong financial factors of Omaha and a moving spirit in that business enterprise which is upbuilding the city.

Thomas P. Redmond

Thomas P. Redmond, secretar}' and general manager of the Burgess-Nash Company, owning and controlling one of the important department stores of Omaha, was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, March 22, 1869, his parents being Patrick and Frances (Dunn) Redmond, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Coming to Canada with his parents at the age of six years, the father was there reared in the vicinity of Kingston, where the home of the Dunn family was established, when Frances Dunn was a little maiden of but five summers. Having arrived at years of maturity, these two were married and in later life Mr. Redmond entered the employ of the Canadian government, serving in an official capacity for forty years, in which capacity he was serving when he died in 1904 at the age of sixty-nine. His widow is now living with a daughter. Mrs. Winfield T. Hayden, in Brooklyn, New York, enjoying the very best of health at the age of seventy-six years. For a time she made her home in Omaha with her son. Thomas P. Redmond. In the family were seven children, two of whom have passed away. The others are : Mrs. Catherine Murray, living in Denver, Colorado; Thomas P.; Mrs. Winfield T. Hayden, of Brooklyn, New York; Joseph, residing in St. Louis, Missouri; and Augustin, holding a prominent position with the Railway of the Canadian Government.

In early life Thomas P. Redmond attended school in Canada, and after his textbooks were put aside, he secured employment in a mercantile store in Kingston as errand boy. This is where he first received his early training that has so fitted him for his work in the retail department store business.

After having acquired what he thought was a sufficient knowledge of the business, and having always been anxious to make the L'nited States his home, he de- cided to go west. His first stopping place was Pueblo, Colorado, which did not offer him the opportunity he was looking for, and he then went to Denver, where he secured a position as salesman with the A. Z. & H. Z. Solomon Company. He was with them less than one year, when he was promoted to the important position of New York buyer for this firm. This was in the early '90s. Denver at that time was beginning to feel the effects of the panic, which occurred in 1893, and before the panic struck Denver he was offered a position as buyer with the D. J. Hennessy Company, of Butte, Montana. He became general manager for that firm, and it was through his persistent efforts after he had taken charge there that the present large ofiice and store building was erected by the Anaconda Copper Company.

On the 26th of April, 1896, Mr. Redmond was, united in marriage to Miss Anastasia M. Kane, a daughter of Richard and Mary Kane, pioneer settlers of Butte, Montana. Her father was one of the men who discovered the Anaconda copper mine, now the richest copper field in the world. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Redmond : Thomas P., who was born in Butte, Montana, in 1898, and is now attending Creighton University; and John E., who was born in Butte in 1902 and is attending school in Omaha.

Mr. Redmond remained in Montana for eight years, and came to Omaha in 1900, wishing to give his children the benefit of educational opportunities that are secured in Omaha. He originated the O'Donohue-Redmond Company, which operated and owned all the dry goods departments in the Bennett Company, which occupied the store now owned by the Burgess-Nash Company. He has the distinction of being a pioneer in the department store world south of Farnam. Instead of the beautiful buildings that now surround the Burgess-Nash Company, there were high hills with residence property on them. He and his partner, Mr. O'Donohue, continued in business in the Bennett Store for five years, when the departments were taken over by the new organization of the Bennett Company. Then the Brandeis firm sent for Mr. Redmond, and offered him the position of superintendent for the Brandeis Stores. He acted as general superintendent for the Brandeis Stores for a little over seven years with unqualified success.

When Mr. Burgess and Air. Nash organized the present Burgess-Nash Company, they offered Mr. Redmond the position of secretary of the Burgess-Nash company, and general manager of the store, which he accepted. Through his able and efiicient management he has made this store one of the best paying institutions in this section of the country. He is absolutely in charge of all departments and his word is law in the establishment. He has inaugurated regularity and system throughout the various departments, and at ten o'clock each morning, a meeting is called with every department manager in attendance, various subjects being then discussed and suggestions made for the betterment of all. x\t his suggestion have been made many of, the alterations and improvements of the store, which have made it a most beautiful and attractive mercantile emporium. He has recently visited Minneapolis, Chicago, New^ York, St. Louis and other leading cities to gain ideas of their progressive commercial methods with a view to introducing them into the Omaha establishment. He is a thoroughgoing man of magnetic personality and is continually working for the betterment of the service in the establishment of which he is now^ directing head.

A contemporary writer has spoken of him in this way ''Good nature, tact, understanding of human nature, method, tenacity, painstaking, care for details - these are qualities which make Mr. Redmond one of the most thoroughly reliable store managers in this section of the country."

In politics, he is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Omaha Athletic Club, Field Club and Omaha Club. He also belongs to the Commercial Club of Omaha, and for several years was one of its active executive members, being chairman of the railway committee.

He has been a leader of numerous enterprises for the betterment of retail trade conditions, particularly in the development of the Omaha Retailers' Association. He was one of the original organizers of this body, and remains an active member.

and was the first chairman of its board of directors. While chairman of the railway committee, he worked very hard for the betterment of the train schedules of the surrounding country to bring to Omaha the big retail out of town business that it now enjoys. Mr. Redmond is one of the best known men in the middle west. Since his advent to Omaha, he has been an active figure in Omaha business affairs.

On Alarch 23, 1913, when the disastrous tornado struck Omaha, he was one of the first to go into the devastated district, and help to give temporary relief, and the morning after the tornado, he attended the meeting that was called by the Commercial Club in the executive chamber of the City Hall, and was one of the volunteers that offered his services to the Commercial Club and the city for the relief of those who had suffered through this 4isaster. Those that are familiar with that time remember that it was night and day work for those men who gave their services then. Mr. Redmond was given charge of station four, and was told to go out and find a place most convenient to the sufferers in that particular community, and he located his headquarters at Thirty-third and Cuming streets, in a house that was moved many feet from its original location. This took his entire time for three weeks of night and day work away from his business before they were able to turn the station back to the general committee that was in charge of the work.

Mr. Redmond's life has been very active for the betterment of Omaha ever since he took up his residence here. He works along practical lines, and his labors have been resultant, far-reaching, effective and beneficial.

John H. Harte

John H. Harte, an Omaha contractor, has every right to be classed with the pioneer citizens of Douglas county, for he has resided within its borders almost continuously since 1865, witnessing the many changes which have occurred and the transformation that has been wrought in bringing city and county to their present state of development and prosperity. His birth occurred in Louisville, Kentucky. August 27, 1854, his parents being Frederick and Johanna (Roesink) Harte, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Holland. They were married in Louisville, Kentucky, where the father arrived at the age of eighteen years and the mother when a little maiden of seven. In time Frederick Harte became a well known and successful contractor of Kentucky. He visited Nebraska in the summer of 1865, making his way by steamboat to Omaha with the intention of locating, but his death occurred on the 17th of October of that year before he had time to carry out his plans. His widow long survived him, passing away in 191 1, at the age of seventy-nine years. In the family were four sons and a daughter. The family carried out the plans formulated before the father's death of removing to Nebraska, but in the spring of 1866 the two younger boys and the daughter returned to Louisville, Kentucky. In 1877, however, they again became residents of Omaha. John H. Harte is the eldest of the family and the others are: A. C, who is now one of the county commissioners of Douglas county; H. G., still living in Omaha ; William, who was manager of the Drexel Hotel of Omaha and died in June, 1901 ; and Amelia, who passed away in 1883.

John H. Harte acquired his early education in the schools of Kentucky but his privileges were somewhat limited, for at the age of twelve years he began to earn his own living by farm work in Douglas county. He spent five years in that way and in 1870 turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for three years. He was next employed on the construction of the Sarpy mill under Thomas Wright, who after the completion of the building had Mr. Harte remain with him to adjust the machinery, and this led to his learning the miller's trade. Three years afterward he became head miller and remained there for seven years in that capacity. He then resumed work at the carpenter's trade and for thirty- three years he has been engaged in business as a contractor, during which period he has erected many of the largest and most modern residences of Omaha, together with many of the most important pubHc buildings, including the Kountze Memorial church, the Brandeis building, the high school, the Rose building, the Gordon Van & Storage Warehouse, the Omaha Medical College of the University of Omaha and the Lincoln Hotel at Lincoln, Nebraska. He has put up four telephone buildings, also the Studebaker building, the public library, the Child Saving Institute, the synagogue, the Woolworth building, the Northwestern freight terminal, the oymnasium at Bellevue College, the power house and many residences in various

On the 22d of May, 1883, Mr. Harte was married to Miss Margaret E. Drexel, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Drexel, Omaha pioneers of 1855. The mother is still living at the age of eighty-four years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Harte are four sons and a daughter who are yet Hving, while two sons have passed away. Louis H attended the University of Nebraska and is in business with his father. He married Miss Elizabeth Henderson. Edwin C. is a graduate of the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, and is now manager of the McGregor thorouMibred stock interests at Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Lucy C. is a graduate of the University of Nebraska. Herman D. attended the Omaha high school and is now in the employ of the Midland Glass & Paint Company. Wilham

For thirty years Mr. Harte attended the Lutheran church, of which his wife has been a member since girlhood, but they now attend the Dundee Presbyterian church Mr Harte is a member of both the Happy Hollow and Commercial Clubs. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. For twenty-one years he served as director of the Dundee school board and has ever been a friend of education and other projects leading to the improvement and development of city and county He has served as president of the Omaha Builders Exchange for two terms and as director for ten years. His election to the higher office mdicates his standing in business circles and the high regard entertained for him by his colleagues and contemporaries. Thoroughness has^ever characterized his work and the spirit of progress actuated him in all that he has undertaken. He keeps in touch with all the improved methods and modern ideas that relate to construction and at the same time is thoroughly imbued with the great sciemfic principles that underlie all building.

William I. Kierstead

William I. Kierstead has been president of the Douglas County Association of Nebraska Pioneers, a fact which indicates his long residence within its borders, and throughout the entire period he has been an '-^^tiveact^or in supporting all those measures which have contributed to the material intellectual and civic progress of the community. He was but a boy when he fi-t came to Omaha in February, 1867, his birth having occurred in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on U^T^7?h of Februar; i8S2. His father, Daniel Kierstead. was one of the pioneer settlers of Was^^e/^^^^ Michigan, living in Ann Arbor for more than a ralfcenUirv While still a young man William I. Kierstead became connected I h hf ?rnitire house of Lwey & Stone, of Omaha, in the capacity osaesman. He remained with that establishment for -'^"^y years n which coinec tion he gradually worked his way upward until during tl^c last en yea s o he period he was a member of the firm, active in control '-^."^^ " ^"'}^^.'";' j^, °^^^^ business, thus making for himself a most creditable positu. 1 he ^" c,ca circles of the citv \t length he withdrew from that connection. >clling m> in"er"t to K L 'stone. He was elected county -"nms.sioner in 180S . ,^^^^ office he filled for three years. For a number of years he has de^oted his atten tion to his private interests. Mr. Kierstead was one of the pioneers in the development of the West l^'arnani street district. He built the first house on Farnam street west of Twenty-eighth in the spring of 1885. He built residences and improved a great deal of property and today owns a large amount of valuable real estate from which lie derives a gratifying annual income. He has a fine home on Florence boulevard and has improved much property in that section of the city, his efforts constituting an important element in the development of North Omaha.

In 1873, in Cedar Rapids. Iowa, Mr. Kderstead was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Dewey and they have one son, William Dewey. Mr. Kierstead is a life member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. At all times he has manifested a public-spirited devotion to the welfare and progress of the community in which he makes his home and has aided largely in promoting the general welfare. He gave to the city Blufif \'iew Park on Florence boulevard and many other tangible evidences of his public spirit might be cited. Aside from the office of county commissioner already mentioned, he served as the first councilman from the ninth w^ard in 1887 and 1888 and was reelected for a second term. He was also a member of the board of public works but resigned that position after four years. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and his life record is an illustration of the fact that no matter what the advantages ofi^ered in the schools, or the advantageous circumstances which may surround a youth, every individual must eventually determine and shape his own character. The field of opportunity is open to all, and Mr. Kierstead's life has been crowned with successful accomplishment, making a record that should serve to inspire and encourage others.

Hon. James E. Boyd

Hon. James E. Boyd, governor of Nebraska and an honored resident of Omaha, had the distinction of being the only democratic governor elected in the state up to the time when he was called to that ofifice. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, September 9, 1834, and at the age of nine years came to America with his parents, who settled in Belmont county, Ohio, where the family remained until 1847, when a removal was made to Zanesville, Ohio.

James E. Boyd attended the common schools until thirteen years of age. He then obtained a situation in a grocery store, and afterward began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Ohio until 1856, when he came to Omaha with his brother. John AI. Boyd. They arrived here on the 14th of August, 1856, and both brothers entered the employ of the firm of Root & Vischer. After working for three weeks, during which time they were paid three dollars and seventyfive cents per day, they began contracting and building on their own account. In the spring following they were awarded the contract for the first courthouse of Douglas county, which they completed in 1858, it being situated on Sixteenth and Farnam streets in Omaha - the present site of the Paxton block. They also built the Congregational church, one of the first houses of worship in the city. In 1857 James E. Boyd became county clerk, but on account of private business resigned the office before the expiration of his term.

In December, 1858, Mr. Boyd established a stock farm on Wood river, Buffalo county, and also engaged in the mercantile business near Fort Kearney. Subsequently he carried on a freighting business across the plains and in 1866 took a contract for grading on the Union Pacific Railroad. In the following four years he graded more than three hundred miles of the line, accumulating thereby a considerable fortune, with which he returned to Omaha upon the completion of the road. From that period forward he was closely identified with the business interests and development of the city. He purchased a controlling interest in the

Omaha Gas Works, which he managed for two years. On November 30, 1869, he organized the Omaha & Northwestern Railroad Company, of which he'was elected president. The road is now a part of the Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul & Omaha line. He built the road from Omaha to Blair and furnished one-sixth of the capital necessary to build it to Tekamah. In 1870 he helped to organize the Central National Bank of Omaha and he was for some time president of the Omaha Savings Bank. Mr. Boyd was the pioneer pork packer of Omaha. He began the business in 1872, killing and packing four thousand five hundred and fifteen hogs, all that could be obtained in this part of the country. Subsequently he built the finest packing plant in the west and when it burned in 1880 replaced it with another in which were killed one hundred and forty-one thousand hogs in 1886. In 1887 he sold the plant and retired from the packing business. For more than thirty years the leading theatrical buildings in Omaha have borne the name of this enterprising promoter of Omaha's interests. In 1878 the project of building an opera house was first agitated by the peoplei of the city, and in October, 1881, Boyd's Opera House on the northeast corner of Fiftenth and Farnam streets, erected at a cost of ninety thousand dollars, was thrown open. It was a magnificent building for the Omaha of those days, and its opening was attended by a ceremonial recognition of its builder's enterprise. This theater was operated successfully and profitably until it was destroyed by fire in the early '90s. On September 3, 1891, Boyd's New Theatre, erected by James E. Boyd at a cost of two hundred thousand dollars, was opened.

Air. Boyd was always a democrat and in the political field attained a national reputation. During his residence in Buffalo county he was elected to represent that county in the legislature that convened July 4, 1866. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1871. and also that of 1875. In the year 1880 he served in the city council and in 1881 was elected mayor by a majority of nineteen hundred and thirty-nine out of a total vote of about forty-three hundred. During his administration occurred the great grading strike, and by his prompt, determined action in a trying and dangerous situation Mayor Boyd won general approbation. It was during this administration also that the high license law went into effect in Nebraska, which was enforced in Omaha with great difficulty. The present system of paving, curbing, guttering and sewerage was adopted during his term as mayor, after he had made extensive personal investigation of the systems of other cities. In 1885 he was again elected mayor by a large majority. Mr. Boyd received the vote of his party in the legislature of 1883 for United States senator; he was a delegate to the democratic national convention of 1884 which nominated Grover Cleveland the first time for president ; for the following four years he was the Nebraska member of the democratic national committee; and in 1888 he was again a delegate to the national convention. During these times he was the head of the Chicago commission firm of James E. Boyd & Brother, a member of the Chicago board of trade and of the New York stock exchange. After an exciting campaign in 1890, Mr. Boyd, democratic candidate for governor, received seventyone thousand, three hundred and thirty-one votes ; Mr. Powers, populist and farmers' alliance candidate, seventy thousand, one hundred and eighty-seven ; and Mr. Richards, republican candidate, sixty-eight thousand, eight hundred and seventyeight. By the face of the returns, the republicans elected all the state officers except governor. Powers contested the election of Boyd, and all the other populist candidates for state offices began contest proceedings against their republican opponents. At the outset the contests were based on the charge of incorrect election returns, but afterward the additional charge was made that Air. Boyd was not a citizen of the United States and therefore was ineligible to the office ; and on this ground, John M. Thayer, the preceding governor, declined to give up the office. It was ascertained that soon after coming to Ohio from Ireland, Mr. Boyd's father had declared his intention to become an American citizen but failed to perfect his citizenship. With Governor Thayer securely locked in the executive rooms at the capitol, surrounded by armed state militia, and with John H. Powers conducting a determined contest against his election, Mr. Boyd went to the capitol and was sworn in and received the recognition of the other state officers. As a result of the canvass of the votes by the legislature Mr. Boyd was declared elected, and on the order of the board of public lands and buildings Governor Thayer vacated the executive apartments eight days after the end of his regular term. He, however, began suit to oust Boyd, and in the following May the state supreme court decided adversely to Boyd, who gave up the office to Thayer. The opinion of the court was written by Judge Cobb, Judge T. L. Norval concurring, while Judge Maxwell dissented, holding that when the territory of Nebraska was admitted to statehood the enabling act operated to make every resident of the teritory a citizen of the state. The case was carried to the United States supreme court, which decided, February i, 1892, that when the state was admitted to the Union upon an equal footing with the original states, Mr. Boyd, who had participated in its formation, became a citizen by adoption. Governor Boyd again took possession of the executive offices February 3, 1892, and served with marked ability until the close of his term. When Governor Boyd again assumed his office there was an enthusiastic demonstration in the form of a great public reception. The action of Governor Boyd in vetoing a bill fixing the maximum freight rates on the ground that he believed the reduction of rates was unjust to the railway companies excited much heated controversy, both inside and outside of the governors party. Mr. Boyd was always a leading member of the Omaha board of trade. He was its president in 1880, 1881 and 1898, and during the latter year, for the first time in its history, the corporation paid a dividend on its stock. During the later years of financial depression Mr. Boyd met with financial reverses, from which, however, he in a measure recovered. For many years he conducted a successful commission business under the firm name of James E. Boyd & Company.

On August 22, 1858, Governor Boyd was married at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Anna H. Henry, who is a native of Hamilton, Madison county. New York, and who survives him, a resident of Omaha. Governor and Mrs. Boyd had five children, but only one is now living, Eleanora, who became the wife of Ellis L. Bierbower, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Omaha in 1872 and was thereafter active in the public life of the community until his death in 1899. It was on the 30th of April, 1906, that Governor Boyd passed away in his seventy-second year. His life was purposeful and fraught with good results. While his course at times awakened antagonism, as does that of any man who is fearless and outspoken in support of his own convictions, even those who opposed him recognized and admitted his sincerity and felt that neither fear nor favor could swerve him from a course which his conscience sanctioned.

Sidney W. Smith

Sidney W. Smith, actively engaged in the practice of law in Omaha as a partner in the firm of McGilton, Gaines & Smith, was born in Rockford, Illinois, July 20, 1875. His father, Abraham Smith, was a native of Royston, England, born in 1838, and in 1848 he accompanied his widowed mother to the United States, the family home being established in Springfield, Illinois, while later a removal was made to Rockford, Illinois. At one tune he was postmaster at Woodstock, Illinois, under President Lincoln and subsequently served as postmaster at Rockford under President Grant. He was appointed by President McKinley as Consul to Victoria, British Columbia, and served from 1897 to the time of his death in 191 5. He was regarded as a prominent and influential citizen in the different communities in which he lived and his sterling worth won him the respect of all. He was married in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Frances J. Rice, who survives him.

native city and in preparation for his life work attended the University of Wisconsin, completing a course in the law school with the class of 1900. In July of that year he came to Omaha, where he opened an office and entered upon active practice. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow but in the course of time he demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with intricate legal problems and his clientage grew in volume and importance. On the ist of October, 1908, he became one of the organizers of the law firm of AIcGilton, Gaines & Smith and has since practiced in that connection. He is felicitous and clear in argument, strong in debate and logical in his reasoning and he always enters upon the trial of a case well prepared by thorough preliminary study and investigation.

On the 4th of October, 191 1, in Lexington, Kentucky, Air. Smith was married to Miss Angle Armstrong Shouse and they have gained many friends in Omaha. Mr. Smith is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is equally loyal to the Masonic fraternity and to the Elks lodge, in which he holds membership. He is identified with a college fraternity, the Psi Upsilon, and he belongs to the University Club and to the Commercial Club. In pohtics he is an earnest republican and served as vice consul under his father, at Victoria, British Columbia. Aluch interested in politics and doing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party, he has served as treasurer of the Douglas county central committee. The major portion of his time and attention, however, is given to his law practice and his devotion to his clients' interests has become proverbial. '

Major General George Herbert Harries

Alajor General George Herbert Harries, identi-fie<l.with many corporate interests, including the Omaha Electric Light and Power Cpmpany and the Citizens Gas and Electric Company of Council Bluffs, of both of which he is president, and with various other equally prominent interests in 'different sections of the country, is perhaps equally well known by reason of his military, record. He was born in Haverfordwest, South Wales, September 19, i860, a son of John and Sarah (Davies) Harries. His early education was acquired in the grammar schools in the place of his nativity, and in later years in recognition of his lectures on colonial history Howard University of Washington, D. C., conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree and five years ago the State University of Kentucky conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. His career has been marked by steady progress, bringing him to many positions demanding marked administrative ability and executive force. He was but thirty-five years of age when called to the presidency of the Metropolitan Railroad Company of Washington, in which position he continued for two years, and from 1900 to 191 1 he was vice president of the Washington Railway & Electric Company and of all of its subsidiary and allied companies. In October, 191 2, he was elected to a vice presidency of the engineering corporation of H. M. Byllesby & Company of Chicago and New York. His active aid has been sought in many directions, especially in connection with the organization and management of electric power interests. He is president of the Louisville Gas and Electric Company and the Kentucky Pipe Line Company of Louisville, Kentucky, of the Arkansas Valley Railway Light and Power Company of Colorado and of the Fort Smith (Ark.) Light & Power Company. He likewise became vice president of the Northern States Power Company, of the Standard Gas and Electric Company, of the Consumers Power Company and the Minneapolis General Electric Company, and thus in these connections he has been called upon to solve intricate and involved business problems which in their complexity have called forth the keenest discrimination and insight. At all times he has been found ready for any emergency and has ever seemed to marshal the facts and

His name figures prominently upon the pages of our country's military history. He was made a brigadier general in command of the militia of the District of Columbia, including both military and naval forces, on the 30th of November, 1897, through presidential commission, and he was retired with the rank of major general May 26, 1915. In 1898 he was commissioned colonel of the First Infantry of the District of Columbia of United States Volunteers and was on active duty before Santiago de Cuba while that city was being besieged. He has rendered valuable military aid in Indian campaigns of the country and in 1912 he was honored with election to the position of national commander of the Order of Indian Wars of the United States. He has been a member of the war department board on the promotion of rifle practice since its organization and his opinions have long carried weight and influence in military councils.

In the capital city, on the 23d of April, 1884, General Harries was married to Miss Elizabeth Langley, of that city. He has figured prominently in social circles, belonging to the Army and Navy Club of Washington, also to the Pendennis Club of Louisville, the Union League Club of Chicago, the Minneapolis Club, the Minnesota Club of St. Paul, the Omaha Club, and the Engineers' Club of New York. He was also president of the American Electric Railway Association in 19 12 and 1913, and is now chairman of its Committee on National Defense, which Committee is cooperating with a similar committee of the American Railway Association in all matters pertaining to steam and electric transportation which come within the jurisdiction of the Federal Council of National Defense. He is also a member of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, of which he served as president in 191 1 and 1912. His religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Methodist church. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, and while never a politician in the sense of office seeking, he was a member of the board of education in Washington from 1895 until 1903. His activities, official and otherwise, have ever been of a character that have contributed to public progress and his contribution to the world's work has been most valuable.

Dr. William Windle Davis, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and specializing in surgery in Omaha, his native city, was born September 14, 1885. His father, Joseph Shaw Davis, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Omaha in early life and in this city was married to Miss Eva J. Start, a native of Iowa. Both are still residents of Omaha, where the father is successfully conducting business as the proprietor of a machine shop and foundry. He is also one of the prominent and active Masons of the state, upon whom has been conferred the honorary thirty-third degree.

Dr. Davis received his preliminary educational training in the Omaha schools and in 1909 was graduated from the medical department of Creighton University, following which he had the benefit of a year's service as interne in St. Joseph's Hospital of Omaha, which gave him broad practical experience - experience of a varied character which could not be elsewhere obtained in the same length of time. He then opened an office and for the past seven years has engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery, his ability being demonstrated in the large patronage now accorded him. His office comprises rooms 1 120-1 122 First National Bank Building. He is an instructor on the gynecological staff of the surgical department of Creighton Medical College. Pie keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession through his membership in the Omaha-Douglas County

On the 26th of December, 1910, in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Dr. Davis wedded Lorene Emery and they have a daughter, Alice Lorene. The Doctor belongs to Phi Rho Sigma, a college fraternity, and he is a Master Mason, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World and the Royal Arcanum. Politically he is a republican, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he believes that active political work would interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties, which he regards as his foremost interest.

Foremost among those men whose activities played a most conspicuous part in the developing and upbuilding of Omaha was Dr. Samuel David Mercer, who for more than forty years was prominently identified with its professional, business, financial and social life, and whose enterprise and business foresight made a most substantial contribution to the city's development.

Samuel David Mercer was born in Marion county, Illinois, June 13, 1842. His father, Wiley Green fiercer, was born in Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, and married' Miss Cynthia Hufif in Marion county, Illinois, who was the daughter of Samuel Hufif, formerly of Tennessee. His grandfather's name was David Mercer, whose wife was Elizabeth Cearcy', of Madison county. Kentucky. His greatgrandfather was Shadrack Mercer, who married Rhoda Price, of North Carolina: and his great-great-grandfather was Thomas Mercer, of Pitt county. North Carolina. The last mentioned emigrated from Virginia, and was the son of Edward Mercer, who was the son of Gideon Mercer, of New York and New Jersey. The family were English, but originally of Scotch extraction.

Samuel was born on a farm ; there were no railroads and his home was sixty miles from the Mississippi, which was the chief artery of commerce. The home was not only a farm, but a veritable manufacturing institution as well, not only producing food for the family, but manufacturing the same by canning, drying and preserving vegetables and meats, and manufacturing the clothing of the entire family almost exclusively from the products of the farm. The wool was shorn from the sheep, washed, carded, spun, woven and manufactured into clothing on the farm, supplied with buttons of home manufacture, and colored with roots and herbs of the vicinity. Hides were tanned and manufactured into shoes, harness, etc., for domestic use; and the farm implements were often forged in the blacksmith shop, framed and made ready for use. without the expense of a dollar except labor and the purchase of the iron. This was the custom of the entire country until railroads came and made an innovation in the established practices of the farmer.

Samuel's early education was commenced by private tutors, employed by his father with other farmers. Afterwards he went to a select school in the village of Walnut Hill ; subsequently to McKendree College, at Lebanon. Illinois.

The boy's life, when on the farm, was working with men. as all boys had to do in those days and under such circumstances. He lived with his parents in the home log house until he was old enough to aid in hewing and framing the timbers for additional houseroom.

Samuel's first business venture was that of trapping quail, mink, and other fur animals, and gathering the crude drugs of the country for sale, from which he obtained all his spending money, and accumulated enough to buy a one-third interest in a threshing machine, which, with two uncles as partners, he operated one autumn. He also planted out a large crop of fall wheat, and then taught a country school during the following winter months. The next spring, in company

During the following autumn the young man again began threshing, but, by an accident, was severely injured in the left hand while feeding the machine; thereupon he immediately stepjicd from the platform, went to the village of Salem and, under the direction of Dr. William Hill, went thence to the University of Michigan to study medicine. After a two years course in medicine and chemistry he made an application to the board of examiners at Chicago for recommendation as assistant surgeon in the army, which was successful, and he was assigned to the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. After the war, Dr. Mercer returned to the north and took a third course of lectures in the Chicago Medical College, and went thence to the Berkshire Medical College, Massachusetts, where he finished his medical course and received a diploma in October, 1866. On graduation he was awarded the first premium - a case of surgical instruments - for the best thesis; subject - "Healthy Nutrition."

After this. Dr. Mercer came direct to Omaha, where he remained, never having been absent more than five weeks at any one time, continuing the practice of medicine up to 1886, during which time his labors were arduous and his practice extensive, especially in surgery.

In the winter of 1867-68 he established the first hospital in Omaha, located at the corner of what is now Cass and Twenty-sixth streets. It was afterwards turned into a small-pox hospital purchased by the city and subsequently burned. Later on he started a private surgical hospital known as the "Omaha Medical and Surgical Institute," which he managed successfully for many years. He finally abandoned it and accepted the position of chief surgeon of the Union Pacific Railroad, establishing the hospital system which is still in vogue, and- founded, as well, the Ogden and Denver hospitals in connection with that road. He was also surgeon to the Omaha & Grant Smelting and Refining Works, assistant surgeon of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad for many years, and for ten years United States pension examiner at Omaha. During this period he was the prime mover in establishing the Omaha Medical College, in which he filled the clinical chair of surgery for four years.

Dr. Mercer was seven years secretary of the State Medical Society, which was brought into existence by his own motion in 1867, and was always an active member of the same, and was president one term ; and, during the last year of his practice, was vice president of the American Medical Association, and presided part of the time at the national meeting at New Orleans.

Owing to the accumulation of many outside business affairs, Dr. Mercer retired from the practice of medicine in the autumn of 1886, just twenty years after commencing in Omaha, and during the next season embarked in the enterprise of building cable and electric railroads, but soon finding that the cable was not profitable and not adapted to cities of this size, sold his interest and put his energies into the electric plant. After three years' hard struggle in fighting financial odds and opposition from opposing companies and opposing interests, he succeeded in developing the first electric railroad plant in the city, the Omaha Motor Railway Company, which became so active a competitor of the Omaha Street Railway Company that they were compelled to purchase the property and consolidate it into one system, the Omaha Street Railway Company. Dr. Mercer became one of the directors after the reorganization.

During the last few years of his practice Dr. Mercer invested his surplus money largely in real estate, bought and platted that section known as "Walnut Hill," and built seventy-five houses thereon before any other settlements w^ere made_ in that section, all of which were sold on small monthly payments to men desiring to secure homes. He afterwards erected several blocks of business houses in the city, including also the building known formerly as the Mercer Hotel. He was always an active, energetic and never-tiring worker for the interests of Omaha and Nebraska, ever showing his good faith by energy and investment of money to build up the town and the state, with a firm belief that the prosperity of the two should go hand in hand.

Dr. Mercer's political views were republican, he believing firmly in the doctrine of tariff as the best means of protecting and equalizing the interests of all men, but he looked with misgiving upon the encroachments of large corporations and financial institutions organized with money to make money, sometimes without due regard to moral rights or equity among men.

In 1890, Dr. Mercer was a prominent republican candidate for governor, but was defeated in the convention, and was again spoken of very prominently as a candidate in 1892 for the same office, but refused to permit his name to go before the convention. He was made chairman of the republican state central committee in 1 89 1.

In the autumn of 1892, the Doctor was the prime mover in starting the drug establishment known as the Mercer Chemical Company, manufacturers of high grade pharmaceuticals, and was also interested in several other commercial enterprises in a small way.

Dr. Mercer was married on the 12th day of November, 1870, to Miss Lizzie Covert Hulst, of Omaha, Nebraska, at the German Reformed church, in Brooklyn, New York. Miss Hulst was the daughter of Garrett Hulst, late of Alexandria, Virginia, and formerly of Brooklyn, New York, and granddaughter of Anthony Hulst, of Williamsburg, New York, and he was a son of William Hulst who was a descendant of the original Knickerbocker family. Mrs. Mercer died on February 13, 1906. Their children were six in number. George W. Mercer, a graduate of Peekskill Military Academy and Yale University, was a successful business man of Omaha, being connected with the Mercer Chemical Company, and was for seven years a member of the City Council. He passed away on the i6th of April, 1904. Dr. Nelson S. Mercer is a resident of Omaha. Carrie L., who was educated at Sacred Heart and Brownell Hall and who completed her studies in New York city, died September 2, 191 1, after an illness of four years. Mary, who graduated from St. Mary's School of Knoxville, Illinois, is a resident of Omaha. The two other children of the family died in early life.

Dr. Mercer possessed a strong, magnetic personality and ability to accomplish much work with the greatest ease ; this, with his thorough knowledge of men, and wide information on all matters pertaining to the afifairs of life, together with a companionable nature, gave him a prominent position in all the affairs with which he was connected. Of the particular likings of Dr. Mercer, which indicated his character more effectively than can be expressed in words, may be mentioned his love for trees and flowers, (especially roses), and, it may be added, for works of art. The doctor had, also, not only strong likes but dislikes for persons, and abhorred everything in word, figure or deed that was not truthful. Dr. Mercer died on October 16, 1907.

Louis M. Rogers

Louis M. Rogers, a confectioner and florist of Omaha, was born at Kuparisy, Greece, August 18, 1883, his parents being Mitchell and Stamata ( Pappamichalopoulos) Rogers, both of whom were natives of Greece. The mother's family belonged to the nobility of that country. Both parents remained in Greece and the father became engaged in olive growing and in the manufacture of olive oil, carrying on a large export business up to the time of his death, which occurred in August, 191 5, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His widow is still living in her native country at the age of fifty-five. They were the parents of thirteen children, six of whom have passed away, while those who still survive are: John, a resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Gust, living in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania ; Theodore, who is with his mother ; Katherine, Bessie and Mary, all in Greece.

Louis M. Rogers, the third of the family, attended school in his home locality until he reached the age of twelve years, when he left home and went to Piraeus, Greece, and while living there in the home of an uncle he attended school for two years. When a youth of fourteen he became employed in a general merchandise store and when fifteen years of age he sailed for the United States, landing in New York City. He was there employed at cigarette making for a short period, after which he went to Atlanta, Georgia, where he engaged in business as a dealer in flowers and confectionery, spending eighteen months in that city. He afterward went to Waterbury, Connecticut, and later embarked in business at Naugatuck as a confectioner and florist. A year later he sold out and removed to Rochester, New York, where he engaged in the same line of business on his own account until a fire destroyed his property. He was afterward at Warsaw, New York, where he conducted a confectionery store for eight months but at the end of that time sold out and went to Coney Island, where he had a soda fountain and confectionery store, continuing at that famous resort through three seasons. He next went to Yonkers, New York, where he engaged in business as a florist in connection with a cousin for a short period. At St. Paul, Minnesota, he conducted the flower business at the Golden Rule store for a year and in 1908 he arrived in Omaha, where he took over a department in the Brandeis store, where he still has a stand. In June, 191 5, he established business as a confectioner and florist at Twenty-fourth and Farnam streets, where he is now building up a good trade, his patronage steadily increasing.

On the 14th of June, 191 1, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Elsie Robertson, of this city, a daughter of Mr. and Airs. William Robertson, who were Omaha pioneers and have now passed away, the father having died in August, 191 5. Mr. Rogers belongs to the Commercial Club and is interested in its various projects for the upbuilding of the city and the extension of its trade relations. He also has membership with the Rotar}' Club, the Omaha Automobile Club and the Carter Lake Club and is a life member of the Omaha Athletic Club. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason of the thirty-second degree and he has membership in the Royal Arcanum and the Woodmen of the World. He also belongs to the Retail Merchants Association, and that his interests reach out along those lines which prove beneficial to the race is indicated in the fact that he is identified with the Humane Society. He has always made it his purpose and aim to choose the better part. He is one of the city's young progressive business men, standing high in public regard both as a merchant and a man.

Guy Howard Furness

Guy Howard Furness, a member of the firm of Crawford-Furness, general insurance agents at Omaha, and secretary or clerk of Omaha-Seymour Camp, No. 16, Woodmen of the World, was born in 1886 in the city'in which he still resides but is a representative of an old New England family. His grandfather, Edgar Daniel Furness, was born in Brandon, Vermont, July 30, 1832, and passed away on the i6th of November, 1905. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Powell, was born in Ogdensburg, New, York, November 22, 1834. and her life record covered the intervening period to the 30th of November, 191 5. Their son, Charles H. Furness, was born in Oregon. Illinois, January 31, 1861, and was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railway for many years, spending most of the time in that connection between 1879 and 1901. He is now in the general offices of the Woodmen of the World at Omaha. He arrived in Omaha in 1879 in a wagon which he and his brother had driven from Mitchell county, Kansas, and in 1885 he returned to Beloit, Kansas, where he married Florence May Bourne, who was born at Honey Creek, Wisconsin, December 25, 1866. Her father, Darius C. Bourne, was born in Chardon, Ohio, in June, 1827, and passed away July 22, 1906. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Betsy Morse, was born in the western part of New York state, in the month of May, 1830, and passed from this life July 5, 1904.

Guy H. Furness began his education in the public schools of Omaha and spent seven years as a pupil in the public schools of Ogden, Utah, during which period his father was there employed by the Union Pacific Railway Company. Returning to Omaha, he learned the printing business and was employed in a job printing establishment until February, 1909, when he became a copartner in a job printing office, which he carried on until April, 1913. He then disposed of his interests in the printing business and became associated with John N. Crawford under the firm name of Crawford-Furness Insurance Agency, at the same time becoming clerk or secretary of Omaha-Seymour Camp, No. 16, Woodmen of the World. This particular lodge has a membership of nearly fourteen hundred and its rapid growth during the past four years is due in a great degree to the untiring efforts of Mr. Furness who devotes the greater part of his time to the upbuilding of the Woodmen of the World.

Aside from his membership in the Woodmen of the World Mr. Furness is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Nebraska Lodge, No. i, A. F. & A. M. ; Bellevue Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M. ; Nebraska Consistory, No. i, A. & A. S. R. ; and Tangier Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In politics he is a republican and while he is not a member of any particular church, he and his wUe attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

On the 9th day of July, 191 2, at Elmwood. Nebraska., Mr. Furness was united in marriage to Miss Edith R. Perry, a. daughter of" Mr: and Mrs. A. M. Perry. They had one son, who was born August 11, 191 5, and died the following day. Mr. Furness is well known and has many friends in Omaha, where much of his life has been passed. , . , :-

Fred Brodegaard

Fred Brodegaard, an Omaha jeweler whose life history is an interesting one because of the spirit that has actuated him and in the course of years has brought him substantial success, has been connected with the commercial interests of this city for many years. In fact the Omaha of today bears little resemblance to the western frontier town to which he came many years ago. He was born in Assens, a town on one of the larger islands of Denmark, where manners and customs have largely remained fixed in the midst of the onward march of civilization, where invention has been looked upon somewhat with suspicion, but where thoroughness and efficiency in old, time-tried methods have produced most capable and competent workmen. His father was a painstaking and masterly Avatchmaker whose capability and responsibility were widely recognized by his fellowmen, and from a very early age Fred Brodegaard manifested a deep interest in his father's work - an interest which led the father to equip a bench for the boy when he was but twelve years of age, and there he spent many hours working at the trade when other boys of the neighborhood were at play. He Avas a youth of fourteen when he entered upon a regular apprenticeship, which included the repairing of clocks, also the work of keeping the display stock regulated and in time work in connection with the finer art of repairing all kinds of watches and jewelry. The hours were long and he was kept closely at the bench, but he thoroughly mastered the trade, developing that great thoroughness for which his father was noted. He also acknowledges, too, much indebtedness to his mother, whom he regards as the real head of the business, while the father took care of the mechanical cud of it. His mother was a farsighted and sagacious business woman who recognized that some one must care for the financial interests while the father was doing the excellent work for which his name became a synonym. After the custom of the time, she was also a splendid housewife, but more than that, she instructed her children in such a manner as to implant in them principles which have been active factors in guiding their lives along the lines of upright and honorable manhood and womanhood. When eighteen years of age Fred Brodegaard had completed his apprenticeship by making in every part a lady's miniature watch that had to be judged by a committee of watchmakers, his future standing with the profession resting upon its quality. It not only passed muster but was highly commended by the inspectors. Now being perfectly able to earn his own living, he went to Copenhagen and afterward walked through Germany to Switzerland, working here and there as his funds needed replenishing. After a brief period spent in the land of the Alps he started for America on an English steamer with a little luggage including some necessary clothing, a set of fine tools for watchmaking and jewelry repairing and a purse that did not contain over ten dollars in American money. The voyage proved a pleasant one, during which he met some interesting people, and on a beautiful spring evening in the early '80s he landed in New York. From the eastern metropolis he made his way westward to Chicago in company with a friend and started out at once to seek work. He found it on the second day, at which time he was introduced to American customs. Applying for a job, the proprietor without a word took him into a neat and spacious working room and pointed to a bench, to which he brought a tray full of watches to be repaired and then turned without saying anything. The difference in customs was to Mr. Brodegaard most marked, for in Europe when a man entered a shop it was always an occasion for a few pleasant remarks between the newcomer and the proprietor, with a welcome from his fellow workmen and a discussion concerning the business and methods. He saw that the workmen here gave every moment to their task and he felt that he was working to the limit, but at the end of the second day he was given his pay and told that he was discharged. Indignant and angry at such treatment, he asked if his work was not all right. The proprietor smiled in a tantalizing way and after considerable deliberation admitted that the work was goCd, whereupon Mr. Brodegaard demanded to know what was the matter and at length received this answer: "The exact reason is that I pay a hundred dollars in rent each month for these rooms. The bench you have been working at stands on a spot that costs me a certain sum every day, and I have to have a man at that desk who can help me in getting the biggest return on the investment. What you need, young man, is more speed." It was his first lesson in American methods and demands. He left the shop and upon his return to his boarding place found that his friend and roommate had had a similar experience. The next morning he started out to seek employment anew and it was after some time that a fellow countryman took him into a little jewelry shop where he earned scarcely more than a bare living; but while there he learned the lesson that in America the road to success is only open to the man who works at full speed while turning out the best possible work. He also learned the use of new tools, with which he had been unacquainted in his own country, and day by day his speed in work increased. After two months he again started out to find employment, if possible, in the big shops of the city and one morning took courage to walk into the ofifice where he had first been employed. The proprietor was then out of town and the foreman, who did not know Air. Brodegaard, employed him and set him at work at the same bench where he had had his first two days' experience in American business methods. A few days later the proprietor returned and recognized the new workman as he passed through the shop. Later he came to his desk and looked over his work slip, stood a little while, stuck his hands in his pockets and smiled and then walked away. During the next year Mr. Brode- gaard worked steadily in that place and during more than six months was the highest man on the weekly pay roll. When he finally decided to leave his employer offered him the foremanship of an auxiliary shop which he was opening in another part of the city.

It was Mr. Brodegaard's desire, however, to engage in business on his own account and, realizing that lie did not have sufficient capital to start in business in Chicago, he determined to try his fortune in the west and in the spring of 1884 arrived in Omaha. He saw indications of an enterprising and growing western city and secured employment with a jeweler on South Tenth street, not far from the depot. He soon learned that his employer wished to sell out and he became the purchaser of the business. He then set to work to build up a trade. He recognized the value of advertising, especially in the way of building up a mail order business, but he had not the funds for this. He was awake, however, to every opportunity. He had his work bench in the back part of his shop and noticed that the boys on their way to and from school were greatly interested in what he was doing. This suggested to him an idea that grown people might also be interested. Accordingly he had the background of one of his show windows enameled white and placed his work bench therein, while on the desk he put a marine chronometer with a little sign, "The Right Time." His store was near the depot and people on the way to the train would stop to see if their watches were running right.. This drew their attention to his work, and from time to time someone would stop in to have a watch repaired and, looking over his stock, would perhaps make a purchase. Thus his trade gradually developed and in time he became an advertiser in the Danish Pioneer, a weekly newspaper of national scope. Th^ result was that he began developing a good mail order business and he made it ever his business to carry goods of the highest grade and most excellent workmanship. In a comparatively few years his mail order trade o'ertopped that of any other house in Omaha and he was sending watches from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Tacoma, Washington, and even had customers in Cuba and Hawaii. His fellow countrymen, too, were buying watches to send back to relatives in Denmark and in this way he was perhaps instrumental in introducing the standard American movement into Europe. Another feature of his success was his social nature. He chatted with everyone on the street and people came to know him. As his acquaintance widened his trade grew. In time he recognized the fact that if he did not wish to remain a small jeweler on Tenth street he v*^ould have to establish a store in that section toward which the busines center of the city was growing. A removal therefore was made to Sixteenth street and in the intervening period his business has grown by leaps and bounds. He was offered the watch inspectorship of the great Union Pacific Railroad system and he also had the inspectorship for the Chicago, St. Paul, Missouri & Omaha Railroad. Since 1904 he has occupied a position in the front ranks among the jewelers of Omaha. He offered a prize for the best name to associate with his firm name and several people in competition suggested the word "Crown." This he adopted and the word "Crown" has become a synonym for standard activities in the jewelry trade. He has always followed a plan of judicious advertising through the papers and in other ways. His original methods are indicated somewhat in the fact that on one occasion he offered a prize for the correct guess of his weight. To participate, people had to take a good look at him and his store was daily filled with ladies and gentlemen. It was a good advertisement. They saw his stock and many of them became regular patrons. As the years have gone on he has extended his trade into various centers by establishing branch houses or branch departments in already established stores, and thus his trade relations reach out over a very broad territory and bring him a gratifying annual income.

It is said that all men have a hobby. Mr. P>rodegaard's is perhaps his country home. He was married in 1906 to Miss Mary Nordin and they have two children, Anna Marie and Robert. Their home stands in the midst of a few lots just outside the city limits which Mr. Brodegaard purchased some years ago, and there he carries on farming. He has a windmill to pump the water from his own well, a little orchard and a garden that furnishes fresh fruit and vegetables, and before the store opens in the morning and after it closes at night he may be seen at work about his place, taking the deepest interest in all that is connected with its development and improvement. He feels perhaps that the most momentous step of his life was made when he decided to come to the new world, for in its opportunities he has found a field ripe for action, and year by year he has worked upward, making each step in his career a forward one, maintaining ever the principles of honor and industry which were instilled into him in his old home in Denmark and adding thereto the progressive methods of American business life.

Joel E. Goodrich

Joel E. Goodrich, of Omaha, as president of the Goodrich Drug Company, a close corporation, has built up from a very small beginning one of the leading industrial enterprises of the city and has also contributed to the growth of Omaha through his hearty cooperation with the projects of the Omaha Commercial Club, the Omaha Ad Club and the Omaha Manufacturers' Association, of all of which he is a member. He was born in Marys ville. Union county, Ohio, August lo, 1862, and is a son of Joel P. and Mary (Elliot) Goodrich, also natives of the Buckeye state. Following the Civil war the family went to Illinois and in 1873 removal was made by wagon from Illinois to Nebraska. They passed through Omaha on their way to Wood River, near which town they located upon a homestead. The father successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits there for many years, was county commissioner of Hall county, and an active factor in the advancement of the farming interests of that section. He died at North Loup, Nebraska, in 1902 and the mother passed away there in 1910.

Joel E. Goodrich is the third in order of birth of a family of six children and his education was that afforded by the district schools. He gave his attention to farm work and remained upon the homestead until his marriage and then began farming on his own account, but after seven years traded some land for a drug store at Cairo, Nebraska. This was in 1888 and two years later he disposed of that business and removed to North Loup, this state, where he conducted a drug store for ten years, taking up his residence in Ord, Nebraska, in 1900. Five years later he came to Omaha and incorporated the Goodrich Drug Company, with himself as president and O. S. Goodrich as secretary. The company began business in a small office in the United States National Bank building, but as their trade grew steadily they found it necessary to remove first to larger quarters in another building and then in 1908 to their present location. In order to take care of their still increasing business they already own a site and are planning to erect a larger building which shall be adapted and devoted entirely to their needs. They now employ an office force of about fifty stenographers and clerks and the manufacturing department gives employment to an equal number of persons. With the .Goodrich personal work advertising and selling plan they have a great many representatives in all parts of the United States, as their territory comprises the entire country. They manufacture a complete line of toilet specialties and their trade name, "Velvetina," has become well known from the east to the west and the north to the south. Their representatives through the cooperation of local druggists and dealers in toilet goods successfully establish the Velvetina line and such are its merits that custom once gained is usually retained. The big business built up by Mr. Goodrich did not come through any of the regular lines of trade, but instead is the result of an entirely original idea of advertising and merchandising a line of goods under an original name "Velvetina," coined, trademarked and owned exclusively by the company. The millions of dollars worth of their products that has already been sold in all parts of the United States, a constantly growing busmess and other evidences of success only prove what' can be done with proper effort without any apparent opportunity and in spite of the privations and hardships of early pioneer life in Nebraska.

Mr. Goodrich was married September 24, 1880, to Miss Mabel G. Mooney. Her father died in the Civil war, having gone to the defense of the Union, and subsequently her mother married a ]\Ir. Strong. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich have been born four children. Orla S.. who was born at Cairo, Nebraska, in 1881. is a high school graduate and also a registered pharmacist and is now vice president and secretary of the Goodrich Drug Company. Howard was born in Cairo. Nebraska, in 1889, and is a graduate of the Omaha high school. He is now treasurer of the Goodrich Drug Company. J. Emerson, who was born in North Loup. Nel)raska, in 1896, was educated in the Omaha high school and the Omaha University. He is now in the sales department of the Goodrich Drug Company. The only daughter. Helen, was born in North Loup in. 1895 'i"d (lied in May. 1913. She was graduated from the Omaha high school in 191 1 and at the time of her death was attending Mount Carroll Seminary, a branch of the University of Chicago.

]Mr. Goodrich is independent in politics and has never had the time to si)are from his business affairs to hold office. He is a member of the Omaha Ad Club, the Omaha Commercial Club, the Omaha Manufacturers' Association, and the Manufacturing Perfumers' Association of the United States. As these connections indicate, he has great faith in the value of cooperation and through his membership in these various bodies not only benefits from the experience of others with similar problems to face but is also able to work to the best advantage for the progress of the community.

Although of late years the great increase in the number of automobiles used throughout the country has lessened to a large extent the market for harness goods of all kinds the Alfred Cornish Harness & Leather Company of r)maha has still retained a large trade due to the thorough understanding of the business possessed by Mr. Cornish, the expert workmanship of the employes of the company and its well established reputation for goods of the highest class. The company has a large share of the cowboy trade of the west and still manufactures saddles and accounterments of the finest and most expensive type.

Alfred Cornish was born in Houghton. Michigan. August i. 1865. a son of Thomas F. and Jane (Webb) Cornish, natives of Cornwall. England, but early settlers of Michigan. The father engaged in mining in Houghton for two years and then removed to Galena, Illinois. His last days were passed there in honorable retirement from active life, his death occurring in 1881. The mother continued to reside in Galena until her death in 1895. To them were born five children, of whom three survive: Thomas, a resident of San Francisco. California; Mrs. C. W. Venable, of Galena; and Alfred, of this review.

The last named acquired his education in the Galena public schools and after completing his schooling learned the harness maker's trade under his brother-inlaw. C. W. Venable. He worked at that trade at Galena until he was in his twenty-third year, when in 1888 he removed to Omaha, .\fter spending seven months there he lived for three years in St. Paul. Minnesota, but in 1891 took up his permanent residence in Omaha. After some time he entered the harness department of the Drummond Carriage Company and remained in that connection for seven years, but in January, 1900, bought out the Collins & Morrisson Harness Company, one of the oldest business enterprises of the city, it having been esta!)- lished about i8;r). two years after the first settlement of Omaha. The former owners retired in 1900, selling the business and their goodwill to Air. Cornish, who has since conducted the business under the name of the Alfred Cornish Harness & Leather Company. This concern is today the largest of the kind in Nebraska and its reputation for reliable dealing, fine material and skilled workmanship extends throughout the west. It has manufactured some of the linest saddles and accounterments for cattlemen made and for the past seven years has manufactured the silver and gold mounted saddles and bridles, costing five hundred dollars, which the Union Pacific Railroad gives as prizes for horsemanship at Cheyenne, Wyoming. The uncertain conditions that have prevailed for some time in the leather trade have brought disaster to many houses engaged in that line of business, but the Alfred Cornish Harness & Leather Compan) has continued to prosper, which is evidence of the foresight, enterprise and business acumen of its head and of the firm foundation upon which its trade has been built.

Mr. Cornish was married in 1891 to Miss Margaret Hird, a daughter of Thomas Hird, of Galena, Illinois. Mrs. Cornish died in 1908, leaving two children. Cecile, who was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, is now attending high school and is also an advanced student of music. Alfred F. is a native of Omaha and a high school student. On the ist of June, 191 1, Mr. Cornish was united in marriage to Miss Luella \1. Harford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Harford, pioneers of Omaha.

Mr. Cornish is a republican in politics, belongs to the Hanscom Park Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He holds membership in the Manufacturers' Association, which afifords its members an opportunity of profiting by each other's experiences and of solving by cooperation problems which otherwise would prove a hindrance to the development of the manufacturing interests of the state. Since boyhood Mr. Cornish has been actively connected with the harness making business and remembers well the days when it was one of the leading industries of the west, since the many emigrant trains crossing the plains required an enormous amount of harness of. all kinds and of the best possible material as none other would stand the strain of the long journey westward. \A''hen he went into business for himself he had practically no capital, but through the most careful management and the ready recognition and utilization of opportunities he has become one of the successful manufacturers of Omaha and has acquired much more than a competence.

Hon. C. W. Britt

Hon. C. W. Britt, judge of the municipal court of Omaha, was born in Detroit, Michigan, October 29, 1864, a son of Cornelius and Bridget (Degan) Britt, both of w^hom were natives of Ireland. As children they came to America with their respective parents, who settled in Michigan, and there they were reared, educated and married. The father afterward became a cigar manufacturer of Detroit and developed an extensive and profitable business as a wholesale tobacconist, remaniing in that city until called to the home beyond. He died in Detroit in 1894 ^^ the age of seventy-three years and his widow passed away at the home of her son, Judge Britt, in Omaha in 1912 at the age of eighty-six years. In their family were eight children, of whom the judge was the seventh in order of birth.

After attending the graded and high schools of Detroit Judge Britt took up the study of languages under a private tutor, and is regarded as quite a linguist. He speaks German, Hebrew, Italian and Gaelic. He next entered a law office in Detroit, where he read for some time, and in 1888 was admitted to the bar. He remained in the private practice of law in his native city until 1893 ^I'^d during that period was elected assistant prosecuting attorney under S. W. Burroughs. In the latter year he removed to Omaha and during the twenty-four years of his residence here has become one of the well known and leading attorneys of the city. His has been a successful career at the bar and in 1912 he was elected a judge of the justice court, which position he acceptably filled until 19 17, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. In 1917 he became a judge of the municipal court, being one of the first judges elected under the new municipal court law. For six months in 1896 he served as city prosecuting attorney of Omaha to fill out an unexpired term.

On the 26th of February, 1889, Mr. Britt was married to Miss Elizabeth Nash, of Detroit, Michigan, and they have become the parents of three children : Charles W., who was born in Detroit. February 2, 1890, and is now attending Creighton College; Florence M., who was born in Detroit, September 11, 1892, and is a graduate of the Omaha high school ; and Robert Emmet who was born in Omaha, March 9, 1904. and is a public school pupil.

Judge Britt gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Eagles, the Red Men, the Aloose, the Stags, and Alpha Camp, No. i, W. O. W. He is also prominent in the Knights of Pythias, is a past chancellor of the local lodge and has been representative to the' grand lodge on various occasions. He has always directed his energies and efforts along a single line and his ability has brought him prominently to the front He is recognized as a man of scholarly attainments, having always cultivated studious habits, and broad reading has kept him in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress. He is a fancier and lover of dogs and a fancier of poultry and has owned some very fine and celebrated dogs of the St. Bernard breed. In order to give protection to dogs he prepared and secured the passage of a law making them personal property.

J. F. Coad. Jr.. president of the Packers' National Bank of South Omaha, has throughout the entire period of his business career been identified with financial interests and his life record is another proof of the fact that no matter what the advantages offered in the schools one must eventually determine, shape and formulate his own character by the development of his inherent powers and qualities. He was born in Nehama county, Nebraska, January 9, 1874, a son of J. F. and Ellen (Leahy) Coad.

T. F. Coad, Tr-. the eldest of the family, attended the public schools of Cheyenne. Nebraska, and afterward entered Seaton Hall in New Jersey, being there graduated in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Immediately afterward he returned home and accepted a position in the Merchants National Bank, his duties being of the most minor character, but he applied himself closely to the mastery of his work and rose step by step through individual effort. Upon the organization of the Packers' National Bank he resigned his position with the Merchants National Bank of Omaha and became connected with the newinstitution. Merit and ability enabled him to advance and he eventually became cashier but after six months he was elected to the presidency and has since filled that position with credit and honor to himself and to the benefit of the bank. The Packers' National Bank is the leading financial institution of South Omaha. It has ever been ready and willing to extend a helping hand to deserving stock breeders and shippers and its helpful policy has spelled success for many of its patrons. Its founders recognized the need of a cooperative financial institution equipped with all the facilities with which to advance the interests of the live stock business in the middle west and at the same time act as the guardian of the funds of depositors. The bank was originally located in an old brick building at Twenty-sixth and N streets but the business grew to such propor- tions that a splendid building was erected at Twenty-fourth and O streets in 1908. It is a thoroughly modern bank building, elegantly finished and equipped in a most substantial' manner. The head of the bank, J. F. Coad, Jr., occupies a most enviable position in financial circles of Greater Omaha. In 1897 he was chosen state bank examiner and discharged the duties of that position until

Mr. Coad has been married twice. On the 12th of February, 1896, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, he wedded Miss Mayme Hughes, who passed away in October,

1902. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hughes, prominent people of Council Bluffs. Three children were born of that marriage : Marion, who was born in 1898 in Omaha and is a graduate of the high school; Pauline, who was born in Omaha in 1900 and is attending high school; and John, who was born in Omaha in 1904 and is in the graded schools. On the 30th of June, 1912, Mr. Coad wedded Miss Irene Dyer at Berkeley, California, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Dyer, now residents of that place. There is one child of this marriage, Ernest, born in Omaha in 1913.

In politics Mr. Coad is a democrat but has never sought nor cared for public office. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he belongs to the Field Club and to the Commercial Club. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. He is recognized as one of Omaha's most highly respected citizens and in financial circles stands among the leaders. He is fond of outdoor life and when business affairs permit he takes keen delight in hunting. He has provided a most attractive home for his family and in a word he is a most progressive citizen, displaying in his life the true spirit of western enterprise and progress.

Dr. Charles Rosewater, engaged in the general practice of medicine in Omaha, has also done splendid work in the educational field as one of the instructors in the Creighton Medical College. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1859. His father, Herman Rosewater, a native of Bohemia, was born in 1807 and in 1854 came to the United States. He was married in Bohemia to Rosalie Kohn on the 15th of March, 1838, and both passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, the former in 1878 and the latter in 1885.

In the Cleveland schools Dr. Rosewater pursued his education until graduated from the high school with the class of 1876. He afterward spent two winters in the Wooster Medical College at Cleveland and later attended a medical college at Wiirzburg, Germany, from which he was graduated in 1879. Later he pursued postgraduate work in Vienna and upon returning to the United States opened an office in Cleveland, where he practiced for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Vienna and also went to Prague for postgraduate work. At the end of a year he took up a summer postgraduate course in New York city and in 1903 he was a postgraduate student in Chicago. His identification with Omaha dates from 1886 and for fifteen years he occupied the chair of obstetrics in the Creighton Medical College, of which he is now professor emeritus. Since 1906 he has been in general practice in Omaha and his patronage is extensive and important. He is examiner for the Massachusetts Mutual, the State Mutual, Fidelity Mutual, United States National, Germania, German- American, Equitable (of Iowa), Manhattan Life and Preferred Accident Insurance Companies, and he is president of the board of examining surgeons for pensions for the United States, on \vhich board he has served for fifteen years.

On the 24th of April, 1893. in Omaha, Dr. Rosewater was united in marriage to Miss Clara Schlesinger, daughter of S. Schlesinger, who is deceased. They have a daughter, Irene, who was graduated from the Omaha high school in

19 14 and is now attending Smith College of Northampton, Massachusetts. In religious faith Dr. Rosewater is a Hebrew. He is a Master Mason and in politics a republican, but throughout his entire life he has largely confined his efforts and attention to his professional duties, and broad reading and study have kept him in close touch with modern progress and scientific investigation along the lines of medical practice. He belongs to the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society, the Nebraska State ^ledical Association and the American Medical Association and has been secretary and vice president of the first named.

Louis F. Etter

Louis F. Etter, superintendent of the South Omaha postoffice, was born in Ithaca, New York, November 15, 1868. a son of Fred J. and Flavilla (Hagin) Etter, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of New York. The mother's people were of Scotch and Irish descent and the family was founded in New York in colonial days. Her grandfather was a native of Belfast, Ireland. In young manhood Fred J. Etter came to America, settling in the Empire state, where he afterward met and married Flavilla Hagin. In early life he engaged in boating on the Erie canal and for many years he ran a line of boats on the canal, being captain of his fleet. Later he disposed of his interests in the business and removed with his family to Cambridge, Illinois, in 1876. There he established a mercantile business, in which he was actively engaged until 1890. He then came to Omaha, locating on the south side, where he continued merchandising until 1898. when he was appointed postmaster, which position he filled front that time until his death, which occurred on the 13th of November, 1906, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in the Thirty-second New York Regiment of Infantry. Later he became a member of the Fifteenth New York Cavalry and while at the front participated in fifty-nine battles and skirmishes, being wounded on two occasions while in action. He went to the front as a private but became quartermaster sergeant and took part in the southern campaigns with the Army of the Potomac. His widow survived him until December 25, 1915, passing away at the age of seventy-two years, her birth having occurred in 1843. In the family were three children : Oscar M., now living in Twin Falls, Idaho ; Louis F. ; and Fred G., a resident of South Omaha.