USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 16
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JC BATH 1. METCALF
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR, LENOX ANE ILDEN FINITION
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His youthful days were largely spent in a frontier district and in 1864, when twenty-two years of age, he removed to Omaha from Fort Dodge, Iowa. For a few years thereafter he engaged in farming in Sarpy county, Nebraska, and then went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the Richmond Grocery Company of Council Bluffs, in which connection he spent several years in Nebraska and in Minnesota. On the expiration of that period he established business in Omaha as a real estate dealer and for twenty-eight years was engaged in buying, selling and improving property. He had great faith in the city and its development and he did not hesitate to make investments in Omaha realty. He operated in that field under the name of D. R. Buck & Son with offices for years in the Omaha National Bank building. He was also connected for a number of years with his brother-in-law, Captain David Wadsworth, in the conduct of a grocery business at Thirteenth and Jackson streets. His affairs were wisely and capably managed and indefatigable energy and close application led to his success.
In Omaha, May 5, 1887, Mr. Buck was married to Miss Olive D. Knapp. Her father Ethilbert Knapp, passed through Omaha in 1856 and went to North Platte, Nebraska, while subsequently he took up his abode upon a farm near Columbus, Nebraska, where he resided until about a year before his death, when he removed to Mitchell county, Kansas, and there died. To Mr. and Mrs. Buck was born a son, David E., who became his father's associate in business and is now his successor, occupying a prominent position in real estate circles in Omaha. He married Lydia Whistler.
Mr. Buck belonged to the Omaha Real Estate Exchange and enjoyed the high confidence, goodwill and warm regard of his colleagues and contemporaries in business. Fraternally he was connected with the Woodmen of the World and in politics he exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party. Coming to eastern Nebraska in early manhood, he was thereafter more or less closely associated with its- business progress and lived to witness a remarkable change in Omaha as the pioneer settlement developed into a growing and prosperous western city.
HON. THOMAS DORR CRANE.
Hon. Thomas Dorr Crane, whose personal popularity is indicated in the fact that when elected to the state legislature and to the senate of Nebraska he led his ticket, has long been a recognized force in republican circles and at the same time he has been active at the bar and in different business connections. A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, he was yet a young lad when his parents, Charles S. C. and Lucy C. (Millard) Crane, removed to Ottawa, Illinois. His father was a native of Taunton, Massachusetts, but left New England to try his fortune in the middle west, continuing his residence at Ottawa until his death, which occurred in 1884. His widow afterward came to Omaha, where she passed away on the 17th of February, 1895.
Thomas Dorr Crane acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Ottawa, Illinois, which was supplemented by an academic course in that city, and then determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he began reading in the office of Blanchard, Silver & Corwin of that city. He was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Illinois, upon examination before the supreme court of the state, as soon as he had attained his majority, and one of his classmates at his examination was the Hon. William J. Calhoun, later minister to China. Mr. Crane entered upon active practice in Ottawa, where he remained until the 17th of June, 1887, when he came to Omaha, where he has since continued in general practice, a very liberal clientage being accorded him. In addition to a large practice in Douglas county he has many outside interests that call him into the courts of almost every county of the state. His pleas are strong, his deductions
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logical and convincing and he is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle. He has an excellent command of English which rises at times to the point of eloquence, yet he never for a moment loses sight of the turning point in his case or allows it to become enshrouded in any sentimental garb or illusion. In addition to his large private practice Mr. Crane has extended his business connections into other lines, being now a director of the Bankers Savings & Loan Association, for which he is also attorney, having occupied that position for twenty years. He is also a director of the Fred M. Crane Company of Omaha, irrigation contractors, and is likewise interested in a number of other financial and industrial enterprises in this city.
On the 30th of December, 1896, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Crane was united in marriage to Miss Margaret G. Baird, daughter of the late Captain Cyrus Newton Baird. They have one son, Roderic Baird, who was born on the 24th of December, 1898, and is now preparing for college at the Lawrenceville School at Lawrenceville, New Jersey, being a member of the class of 1917.
The family are Episcopalians in religious faith, holding membership in Trinity Cathedral. Well known in Masonic circles, Mr. Crane is a life member of Oriental Consistory, A. A. S. R., of Chicago, and is a charter member of Tangier Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Omaha. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and while interested in questions of state and national importance, he has ever held his law practice as his first consideration. However, in the fall of 1892 he was elected by a majority of more than twenty- five hundred to represent his district in the state legislature, receiving more votes in Douglas county than any other condidate for any office, state or national, and in 1894 he was elected to the state senate, receiving fifteen hundred more votes than had been given him when he was elected to the house. His work in the general assembly was effective and far-reaching. He served as chairman of the committee on miscellaneous corporations and while in the senate was also a member of the committees on judiciary, municipal affairs, claims, banks and currency, manufactures and commerce. Every vital question which came up for settlement received his earnest consideration and his endorsement of a measure usually drew to it a large following. He is a man of fine personal appearance, broad-minded and scholarly, and association with him means expansion and elevation.
PETER E. ILER.
Peter E. Iler, for a half century a resident of Omaha, is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest and the comforts of life, which his former industry and business ability have brought to him. He was born in Wooster, Ohio, February 10, 1840, a son of Conrad and Julia (Strine) Iler, and spent his youthful days in the Buckeye state, where he acquired a common school educa- tion. In 1866 he sought the opportunities of the growing west and, disposing of his wholesale liquor business at Tiffin, Ohio, removed to Omaha, where he estab- lished a similar enterprise, continuing active along that line until 1910. He built the Willow Springs distillery, which he operated for a long period, or until he sold out to the trust. Into other fields of business he also extended his efforts, his cooperation being sought, for his sound judgment and enterprise were widely recognized. He was one of the promoters of the Omaha Stock Yards, serving as the first secretary of the company, in which position he continued for a number of years, and as such did much to promote the interests of the business at this point. He also became one of the organizers of the South Omaha Land Con- pany, of which he was elected the first secretary, and in that position still con- tinues. It was this company which built and developed all of South Omaha, now a most populous district. He also built the six story building on Howard
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PETER E. ILER
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street occupied by the Byrne & Hammer Dry Goods Company and which at the time of its erection in 1900 was the finest business block of the city. Mr. Iler was also one of the organizers of the Omaha Brick & Tile Company, of which he became the first president, still occupying that position. He erected a building at No. 1112 Harney street and built and owned the Iler Grand Hotel, at one time a leading hostelry of Omaha. This he subsequently sold. He has been a member of the Omaha Board of Trade for years and served as its president in 1888. He has always been active in furthering the development of the city and has been a generous contributor to all plans and projects looking to its further growth, progress and improvement.
In Ohio, in 1863, Mr. Iler was married to Miss Mary Denzer, who died March 19, 1904. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are yet living : William E., of Omaha, who has one son, William E., Jr .; May, now the widow of J. S. Weitzell, and a resident of Omaha; Edith, who is now Mrs. H. J. Edwards, of Newark, New Jersey, and has a daughter, Bess Iler; and Bess, who is now Mrs. R. L. Hamilton, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and has three children, Jane Lee, Iler Ervin and Edith Susan.
Politically Mr. Iler is a republican, having long given unfaltering support to the principles of that party. Fraternally he is a Mason and he is identified with nearly all the clubs of the city. Five years ago he retired from active business to enjoy a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves, his attention now being given merely to the supervision of his investments, which have been so judiciously placed that they return to him a gratifying annual income.
GEORGE W. JOHNSTON.
George W. Johnston, modest and unassuming in proclaiming his own powers, is nevertheless recognized as one of the strong and capable business men of Omaha, where he is now widely known as president of the Mid-West Electric Company. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1868. His father, John William Johnston, was born in Canada in 1824 and in his boyhood swam the river to Detroit, Michigan. There he later married Sarah Jane Wood, a native of that city, whose parents, however, were natives of Scotland. He became one of the pioneer real estate men of Detroit and continued actively in that business throughout his remaining days, his death there occurring in 1872. His widow long survived him and passed away in 1897, at the age of sixty-eight years.
George W. Johnston entered the public schools of Detroit, but at the age of fourteen his text books were put aside that he might provide for his own support and for six or seven years thereafter he was connected with the Detroit Free Press, becoming secretary to the business manager of that paper. He then became secretary and treasurer of the Delbridge, Brooks & Fisher Company, manufacturers of and dealers in lumber, sash, doors and blinds, and there remained for two years. He afterward removed to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1890 and was there secretary and treasurer of the Gate City Electric Company, so continuing for eighteen months, when he went to Chicago as store manager for the Central Electric Company, in which position he continued for a year. On the Ist of May, 1892, he came to Omaha and bought out the Midland Electric Company, which he reorganized as the Western Electrical Company, of which he became the president. Business was conducted under that name until 1912, when the name was changed to the Mid-West Electric Company, Mr. Johnston remaining as president and directing the business, which is one of the most extensive and important in this line in Omaha. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the electrical trade and he possesses, moreover, a spirit of undaunted enterprise and diligence. When business activities balance up with the principles of truth and honor, and there are added thereto the
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qualities of industry and persistency of purpose, the results are certain. In addition to his important connections in the electrical world he is interested in oil in Wyoming.
On the 19th of April, 1910, in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Mary French, daughter of Hon. John C. French. To them have been born three children, namely: Mary Alice, Georgette French and Sarah Jane. There is also another child by a former marriage, Florence Louise, now the wife of Reginald J. S. Pigott, of New York City.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are members of the Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican and he is identified with various fraternal organizations and clubs, being a York and Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, while in Bellevue Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., he is a past high priest. He also has membership with the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Royal Arcanum, and in club circles is well known, being enrolled as a member of the Omaha, Happy Hollow, Omaha Field, Commercial and Rotary Clubs. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, he enjoys meeting with congenial friends of those organizations but concentrates his time and energies chiefly upon his business affairs. A trade journal devoted to electrical interests had this to say of him:
"With the keen intellect and quick grasp of the situation, which has been the foundation of his success, he soon saw that Omaha was an ideal location for an electrical supply house, if conducted on a proper business basis. Instead of selling out the stock he bought it and servered his connection with his former employer, in spite of all inducements to the contrary. His high salary and all promises of making the compensation of his valuable services still higher had no attraction for Mr. Johnston, when he saw that he could serve a better purpose for the industrial field at large, as well as for himself, by going into business for himself. There are but few men who are as well fitted for and bound to make a success of an establishment of their own as Mr. Johnston, as he possesses all the essential qualifications of a manager, such as business acumen, promptness in all transactions, acquisition of the confidence of all with whom he deals, and a credit A-I. Hence he laid then and there the solid foundation upon which the Western Electrical Company of Omaha has been able to grow to be one of the leading electrical supply houses of the middle west, a benefit to the electrical trade of its territory and a pride to its founder. It was not always a bed of roses, but Mr. Johnston was able to put his shoulder to the wheel and push it over obstacles that to most men would have seemed unsurmountable, with only the one object in view: 'I will; I must.' There are several secrets of this man's success : First, an unfailing memory ; second, his pet motto, which is displayed all over his place of business in print, 'Do it now'; third, his ability to employ and associate with him men of professional knowledge and ability to carry out his orders in every detail. His first and only aim in business is his customer's welfare, and to carry out every business obligation he or his company assumes, whether such can be done at a profit or whether it necessitates pecuniary or other losses. 'My word must be made good,' has sounded into the ears of many an employe of the Western Electrical Company from the manager's mouth, and it is 'made good' no matter what the sacrifice. Another secret of Mr. Johnston's success is his high regard for a perfect system that binds all the small details of a large business into a perfect whole. He has a system for filing catalogues and like information so arranged that he can lay his hands on any item, no matter how small, in the shortest possible time and with the least amount of labor. The same refers to books, quotations, orders, letters mailed and received, shipments, etc. His punctuality in agreements and payments is still another reason for Mr. Johnston's success ; his word is by all that know him considered as good as his note. I, would rather pay bills than eat' is a statement of his that he has certainly proven correct. His accurate and complete system of bookkeeping was tested in a competent manner shortly after January 4, 1902, when the Western Electrical Company was burned out, the fire starting in an adjoining printing office. The
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insurance adjusters, who are generally experts on bookkeeping, paid Mr. Johnston the greatest compliments on his bookkeeping and system, which was so complete and practically arranged that the loss, though almost total, was adjusted in a few hours. Though this fire came like a thunderbolt from a clear sky and seemed destined to undo in a few minutes what it had taken years of hard work to build up, it affected Mr. Johnston differently from the ordinary individual. He seemed to look at it as simply another test to show his mettle; with a bulldog tenacity and a sacrifice of both comfort and pleasure he stuck to it, and from the ashes of the past he wrought the triumph of the present. As an individual Mr. Johnston is as remarkable as he is as a business man. But few employes have ever left him without a feeling of love and respect, and as a friend they never have known a better or truer one. In spite of the fact that Mr. Johnston is 'business' and strictly business from the time he enters his office in the morning until he leaves it at night, which is sometimes not until eleven o'clock or after, he has come to realize what many a business man never learns, that he does not live solely to make money, but simply makes money to live. The weakest point in the manager of the Western Electrical Company is his big heart and anxiety for his fellow- man's welfare-to help those that need it, is the only condition that makes it doubtful if the future shall ever see a rich man by the name of G. W. Johnston. Among the best citizens of his community, Mr. Johnston enjoys an enviable reputation ; though his personal attention to his rapidly growing business has compelled him to give up many positions and offices of trust and honor, his advice is always sought by the various undertakings and orders of which he is still a member. Mr. Johnston has lately built a cozy home in the best residence part of the city. This silently admits two facts of which his many friends and the business interests of Omaha are justly proud, namely, that he has achieved the success he made his start for twenty-four years ago, and will remain a pillar for the upbuilding and prosperity of the community he has adopted as his home for the future."
BRADDOCK HILL DUNHAM.
Braddock Hill Dunham, attorney at law of Omaha, who has been engaged in general practice in this city since 1912, was born on a farm in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1863. His father, Peter C. Dunham, a native of the same county, was married in New York state to Prudence Hill and throughout the period of his residence in the east continued to engage in farming. In 1880 he removed westward, settling in Fremont, Nebraska, where he was connected with the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1888 he removed with his family to Omaha, where he departed this life in 1895, while the death of his wife occurred in 1908.
At the usual age Braddock H. Dunham became a pupil in the country schools of St. Lawrence county, New York, and afterward attended an academy at Can- ton, in that county, and also the St. Lawrence University at Canton. In 1882 he became a resident of Fremont, Nebraska, where he took up the profession of teaching, but turned to other professional activity as a life work. He studied law with the late W. H. Munger and in 1887 was admitted to the bar. In May, 1886, he became associated with the law department of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad and also with the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad with headquarters at Fremont. In July, 1888, these corporations removed their headquarters to Omaha and Mr. Dunham removed to this city at that time, con- tinuing with the law department of these companies and their successor, the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, until October 4, 1912, when he resigned his position and entered upon general practice, in which he has since continued. He has a comprehensive knowledge of railroad and corporation law and his ability in that field is pronounced.
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In Omaha, on the 23d of March, 1892, Mr. Dunham was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Craven, a daughter of the late Samuel Craven, a native of Virginia. They have become the parents of two children, Helen and Howard.
Mr. Dunham belongs to the University and the Happy Hollow Clubs, thus expressing his appreciation of the social amenities of life. His political endorse- ment is given to the democratic party and at the present writing, in 1916, he is serving as United States referee in bankruptcy.
WILLIS C. CROSBY.
Willis C. Crosby, serving for the third term as county coroner of Douglas county, was born in Clarksville, Iowa, March 22, 1883, a son of Willis and Elizabeth (Cannon) Crosby, the former a native of Beloit, Wisconsin, born in 1858, and the latter a native of Newburgh, New York. In the year 1886 they removed to Omaha and Willis C. Crosby, then a little lad of but three summers, became a pupil in the city schools at the usual age. When his text books were put aside he began learning the printer's trade in a job office and was thus employed for about three years or until 1898, after which he worked for E. L. Dodder, an undertaker of Omaha, with whom he continued until 1908. In the latter year he engaged in the undertaking business on his own account and in 1909 he was elected coroner of Douglas county, to which position he has been twice reelected, so that he is now serving for the third term in that office.
On the 17th of August, 1903, Mr. Crosby was married in Omaha to Miss jennie A. Hazen, who died in May, 1911, and on the 6th of November, 1913, in Lincoln, Nebraska, he wedded Charlotte C. Wagner. By his first marriage he had one son, Edward D., born June 16, 1904.
Mr. and Mrs. Crosby attend the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in club circles he is known as a member of the Carter Lake, Seymour Lake and Commercial Clubs. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he takes an active and helpful interest in its work, serving at the present time as a member of the county cen- tral committee. For thirty years he has lived in Omaha, an interested witness of its progress through all these decades, and at all times he has ably and cheer- fully borne his part in promoting the public welfare and upholding high standards of citizenship.
PERCY ALBERTSON WELLS.
Percy Albertson Wells, a distinguished Omaha attorney, city builder and promoter of the good roads movement, standing in fact as a high type of American manhood and chivalry, has left the impress of his individuality and ability in large measure upon the history of the city in which he makes his home. He was born in Greenport, Long Island, New York, December 30, 1867, a son of Joseph A. and Amelia Halleck (Corwin) Wells. The father, a native of Southold, Long Island, died in 1906 and the mother's death occurred in 1908. Her ancestry can be traced back in direct line to two royal lines, a Greek princess and a king of Hungary, but the fact of which Percy A. Wells is most proud is that he can claim title to American citizenship.
Attending the schools of New York city, Mr. Wells was later graduated from the University of the City of New York with the class of 1886 and the following year was admitted to the bar, after which he opened a law office in the eastern
WILLIS C. CROSBY
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metropolis, there remaining in practice for about a year. Believing that the west offered better opportunities to the ambitious young lawyer, he then made his way to Nebraska, settling first at Red Cloud and also maintaining an office at Blue Hill. Later he practiced for a time at Hastings and in 1898 came to Omaha, where he has since engaged in active practice. His position is that of one of the most distinguished attorneys of Nebraska's metropolis. His clientage is large and of an important character and his devotion thereto has become proverbial, but he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. Calm, dignified, self-controlled, free from passion or prejudice, he gives to his client the service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning, but he never forgets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and above all to justice and a righteous adminis- tration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success permits him to disregard. In 1916 he was made general attorney for the United States for the Hartford Fire Insurance Company in its live stock department, and prior to this time he had made a specialty of Union Stock Yards business.
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