USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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On the 22d of June, 1898, in York, Nebraska, Mr. Neale was united in marriage to Miss Grace Eagleson and to them have been born three children, Darrell Roberts, Beatrice and Richard Herbert. Mr. Neale exercises his right of franchise in support of the principles and candidates of the republican party and fraternally is connected with the York Rite in Masonry and with the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to both the Tangier and Omaha Automobile Clubs,
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which indicates something of the nature of his recreation. For three decades he has been connected with his present line of business and his advancement has been the direct and legitimate outcome of a thorough mastery of every branch of the work, combined with laudable ambition and persistency of purpose.
JAMES P. JENSEN.
James P. Jensen, president of the Brinn & Jensen Company, wholesale dealers in paper, has since 1893 been connected with the paper trade and for a decade has been active in his present business relations. He was born in Denmark in 1868, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Jensen, who are natives of that country, where they have spent their entire lives. In 1913 they celebrated their golden wedding.
In the schools of his native country James P. Jensen pursued his education and in November, 1884, when a youth of sixteen years, came to the United States. He made his way at once to Omaha and for a year was employed in an overall factory, while the succeeding year was spent in the service of a mattress con- pany. In 1893 he became connected with the Marshall Paper Company of Omaha, with which he continued for fourteen years, gradually working his way upward and mastering every phase of the business, so that he was well qualified for the successful management of a similar enterprise when in the spring of 1907 he embarked in business on his own account as a wholesale paper dealer. He entered into partnership with C. W. Brinn under the firm style of Brinn & Jensen, which association was maintained until the death of Mr. Brinn in April, 19II. The business was incorporated in 1907 and has since been conducted under the name of the Brinn & Jensen Company, of which Mr. Jensen is the president.
On the 14th of August, 1890, Mr. Jensen was married in Omaha to Miss Eveline Jensen and their children are: Lothardt M., who married Alma Jensen and is connected with his father's business; Leola; and Myron.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Danish Lutheran church and Mr. Jensen has membership with the Danish Brotherhood. He votes with the republican party and manifests a commendable interest in the city's welfare as a member of the Commercial Club. He also belongs to the Athletic Club of Omaha. That he wisely planned for his future by coming to America is evidenced in the success which has rewarded his efforts during his connection with the business interests of Omaha. His activities have constantly increased until his trade connections are now of wide scope and importance, making him one of the representative business men of the city.
JESSE C. McNISH.
There are few men in Nebraska as well known in banking circles and among cattle dealers as Jesse C. McNish, who is identified with various banking institu- tions and is the president of the McNish Cattle Loan Company of Omaha. In developing the last named enterprise he has carried out a long cherished ambition, knowing that the prosperity of the state and of the west at large must greatly depend upon the development of the cattle raising interests, and he is therefore putting forth every effort to promote the growth of the business. His plans are always well defined and promptly executed and he is notably energetic and reliable.
Nebraska claims Mr. McNish as one of her native sons, his birth having occurred at Wisner on the 5th of July, 1878. His father, Clark Chadwick McNish, was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, on the 14th of February, 1854, and on the 17th of March, 1877, when a young man of twenty-three years, removed to
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Wisner, Nebraska. There he married Miss Eliza M. Graham, who is now a resident of Los Angeles, California, but Mr. McNish passed away on the 20th of September, 1907.
In the schools of his native city Jesse C. McNish pursued his early education, which was supplemented by a course in the University of Nebraska, which he completed by graduation with the class of 1901. He afterward studied law in the State University and won the LL. B. degree in 1903. He then returned to Wis- ner, where he entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier, continuing his active connection with that institution until the 15th of February, 1916, having in the meantime risen through intermediate positions to the presidency of the bank. He is still filling that office although now largely concentrating his atten- tion and efforts upon other activities. In the meantime he had continually broad- ened his banking connections and is now president of the Sidney State Bank at Sidney, Nebraska; president of the Scottsbluff Mortgage Loan Company of Scottsbluff, Nebraska ; president of the Farmers State Bank at Altona, Nebraska ; president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Morrill, Nebraska ; vice president of the Scottsbluff National Bank; and a director of the Empire National Bank of Lewiston, Idaho. He is likewise president of the McNish Land Company of Wisner and his high standing in banking circles is indicated in the fact that he was honored with the presidency of the Nebraska Bankers' Association in 1915 and is now a member of the executive council of the American Bankers' Associa- tion from Nebraska.
His long connection with the banking business in the middle west had brought to him a thorough understanding of existing conditions concerning the sources of the state's wealth, its opportunities. and its possibilities. He had become con- vinced that one of the surest methods of promoting prosperity throughout the west was the development of its stock raising interests and to do this loans were necessary. It was, therefore the fulfillment of a long cherished dream of his when he, in association with R. V. McGrew, organized and incorporated the McNish Cattle Loan Company of Omaha for the purpose of "buying, selling, handling, discounting, owning and holding all forms of notes, securities, bonds, mortgages, debentures and other forms of indebtedness, principally and particu- larly those forms of idebtedness secured by chattel mortgages on live stock." The company was formed with a paid up capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, owned by the two incorporators, Mr. McNish becoming president of the company and Mr. McGrew secretary and treasurer. The plan of the company was the transaction of its business exclusively through the country bankers with the purchase of only such paper "as is recommended, endorsed and absolutely guaranteed by the active officers of the local banks in the vicinity of the loan." Every possible precaution has been taken to safeguard the placing of loans and the business has shown a steady development, indicating the wisdom of the offi- cers and a thorough understanding of the work which they have undertaken. Back of Mr. McNish's efforts in this direction are his broad practical experience, not only as a banker but as a cattle raiser, and he has always kept in close touch with every feature of the business and every point of knowledge bearing thereon. During his twelve years' presidency of the First National Bank of Wisner he supervised not only the four hundred thousand dollars worth of loans shown in the bank's statement but also handled cattle feeding paper upon his own personal endorsement to the amount of approximately half a million dollars annually. The capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars has been placed in various eastern banks for the sole purpose of creating a line of credit for the handling of these maturities and assistance in a tight money market. In all his business activities Mr. McNish has handled his interests in a conservative, successful and business- like manner. The company has formed permanent and exclusive connections with a large number of banks and bankers throughout the states of Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Iowa and through these banks they are making giltedged loans on cattle. Mr. McNish at the present time personally
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operates a ranch of six thousand acres in Keyapaha county, Nebraska, a busi- ness in which he has been engaged during the past fifteen years. He is thoroughly qualified to judge cattle paper from the standpoint of the security and from all other points of view. Already the business has reached gratifying proportions and with years of experience and insight back of it on the part of the officers its success is assured.
On the 25th of October, 1903, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. McNish was united in marriage to Miss Clara II. Hammond, a daughter of the late Charles H. Han- mond, a retired capitalist. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine and also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the University Club, to the Omaha Country Club and to the Athletic Club of Omaha. In politics he has for a number of years been a central figure. For two years he was chairman of the Nebraska republican state central committee and for fifteen years has been a member of the executive committee of the state. He exercises a wide influence over politics just as he does in financial circles and the reason therefor is his sound judgment and clear insight into all the vital and significant problems of the day. His opinions are never superficial, for he delves down to the root of the matter and reaches the motive spirit back of all political activity. He is actuated in his work by a public- spirited devotion to the general good with no desire for personal reward. The honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him as he prefers to con- centrate his time and attention wholly upon his business affairs, which have brought him prominently before the public as a banker and financier.
HENRI HANSFORD CLAIBORNE.
Henri Hansford Claiborne, attorney at law in Omaha, is a well known and popular citizen whose social, genial qualities win him the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact. Nebraska numbers him among her native sons, for he was born in Plattsmouth on the 29th of October, 1868, and is a representa- tive of one of the old Virginia families of English lineage. The ancestral line is traced back to William Claiborne, secretary of the Colony of Virginia for many years, through Richard Claiborne, colonel in the Virginia line during the Revolu- tionary war. His son, the Rev. Richard Berkeley Claiborne, was born in Rich- mond, Virginia, and was educated at Cambridge, England, where he took orders in the Anglican church. He was afterward sent to Tasmania and opened the first church school there about 1822. His last days were spent in Glenwood, Iowa, where he departed this life in 1879, at the notable old age of ninety-six years. His son, Richard B. Claiborne, Jr., was born at Nantes, France, June 14, 1839. He devoted his entire active life to newspaper work. At Glenwood, Iowa, he married Elizabeth A. Regester and in 1867 they removed to Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Mr. Claiborne spent his last days in Kansas, where he passed away October 12, 1899, and his widow now makes her home in Omaha.
At the usual age Henri Hansford Claiborne entered the public schools and his youthful experiences were those that usually fall to the American lad of the middle west. He learned the printer's trade and followed newspaper work, studying law and being admitted to practice while engaged in that profession. He served as justice of the peace in Omaha from 1912 to 1917.
Mr. Claiborne was married in Conway, Missouri, to Miss Lena Newpont, a daughter of C. N. Newpont and a descendant of Commodore Christopher New- pont, who was in command of the English expedition to Virginia which brought over Captain John Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Claiborne have a son, Harry C. The parents are members of the Protestant Episcopal church, being communicants of Trinity Cathedral.
Mr. Claiborne is well known in fraternal circles, being a York and Scottish
HENRI H. CLAIBORNE
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Rite Mason and member of Tangier Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. Along more strictly recreational lines he is identified with the Edmund Park Golf Club and the Omaha Avocation Club. His interest in the city's wel- fare is manifest in his identification with the Commercial Club. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. It was said by one long familiar with his life record that he is liked by everybody, for his social nature and genial spirit constitute a force that at once attracts the attention and goodwill of those with whom he comes in contact.
ALLEN CECIL SCOTT.
Allen Cecil Scott, president of the Scott-Omaha Tent & Awning Company and the Scott Manufacturing Company, manufacturing a line of specialties at Omaha, is identified through other connections with important business interests of this state and of Missouri. His plans are always well defined and his activities are purposeful and resultant. He was born in Omaha, August 16, 1882, a son of William Wilbur and Elizabeth (Johnston) Scott, the latter a native of Omaha, while the former was born in New Cumberland, Ohio, in 1856 and came to this city when about eighteen or nineteen years of age. He figured prominently in business circles as superintendent of the Omaha Merchants Express Company for twenty-two years and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1909, he was the custodian of the Masonic Temple of Omaha. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. His widow survives and yet makes her home in this city.
On leaving the public schools of Omaha, in which he pursued his education, Allen Cecil Scott entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at their freight office in Omaha, there remaining for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Seattle, Washington, where he was employed by a steamship company, and upon his return to Omaha he spent two years with the Western Weighing Association. In 1905 he became shipping clerk for the Omaha Tent & Awning Company, with which he remained for five years, rising to the position of manager in less than a year and so continuing until 1910, when he embarked in business on his own account under the name of the Scott Tent & Awning Company. In 1912 his interests were consolidated with those of the Omaha Tent & Awning Company and the name was changed to the Scott & Rawitzer Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Scott became vice president, treasurer and general manager. In 1915 he bought out the Rawitzer interests in the business and has since changed the name to the Scott-Omaha Tent & Awning Company, of which he remains the president. He has developed this business into one of the large manufacturing concerns of the city and is most successful and careful in its management. He is also president of the Scott Manufacturing Company of Omaha, which manufactures a line of special- ties, and that his activities cover a still broader scope is indicated in the fact that he is the president of the St. Joseph Tent & Awning Company of St. Joseph, Missouri, and the president of the Lincoln Tent & Awning Company of Lincoln, Nebraska. His goods are today sold all over the world and the firm names under which he operates have become synonymous with high standards of efficiency, promptness and reliability.
On the 2d of August, 1905, in Fremont, Nebraska, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Myra Ethel Smith, a daughter of Theodore W. Smith, and they have one child, Jane Elizabeth. Mr. Scott votes with the democratic party and he is identified with several fraternal organizations, being now a Knights Templar Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the Happy Hollow Club, the Rotary
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Club and the Carter Lake and Athletic Club of Omaha and is also identified with the Commercial Club. His prominence in commercial circles is indicated in the fact that he has been treasurer of the Nebraska Manufacturers Association since its organization in 1911, and he is also chairman of the board of directors of the National Tent & Awning Company, having been elected in New York city in 1914 for a term of three years. His advancement and success enable him to speak with authority on trade matters and conditions. He has studied every phase of every question bearing upon the business and in the conduct of his interests has largely displayed the spirit of initiative.
NORMAN CALL PRINCE, M. D.
Dr. Norman Call Prince, who since 1911 has engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Omaha and has done notable work in the X-ray field, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 3, 1884, a son of George Thomas and Carrie Augusta (Mitchel) Prince. The father was born in Boston, Massachu- setts, in 1853 and in 1912 became a resident of Omaha, but the mother passed away in 1897.
Dr. Prince largely acquired his early education in the schools of Omaha and afterward pursued a preparatory course in Tabor (Ia.) College. He then entered Bowdoin College in Maine, where he directed his studies with the intention of ultimately becoming a member of the medical profession. He next matriculated in the Denver and Gross College of Medicine at Denver, Colorado, from which he was graduated in 1907, and in 1911 he opened an office in Omaha, where he has since given special attention to X-ray work. He belongs to the Omaha- Douglas County Medical Society, also to the Nebraska State Medical Association, and he remains a close student of his profession and its advanced and progres- sive ideas.
On the 19th of May, 1906, in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Prince was united in marriage to Miss Claire Louise Bosworth. Fraternally Dr. Prince is a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit upon which the craft is based. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he keeps well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day but has had no time nor inclination for office, preferring to concen- trate his attention upon his professional duties.
HON. ARTHUR N. FERGUSON.
Hon. Arthur N. Ferguson, who was a member of the state senate, judge of the district court and a prominent and successful practicing attorney at Omaha up to the time of his death, departed this life on the 26th of October, 1906, and in his passing the community lost one of its honored and valued citizens. He was a native of Albany, New York, born October 4, 1842. His father, Fenner Ferguson, became one of the most distinguished citizens of Nebraska, leaving his impress in notable measure upon the history of the pioneer development of the state. He was born in Nassau, New York, in 1814 and married Miss Helena E. Upjohn. It was in 1840 that he was admitted to the bar in New York state and for six years thereafter he engaged in the practice of his profession in the east. In 1846 he removed from Albany to Albion, Michigan, where he devoted his attention to law practice until the 12th of October, 1854, when he was appointed by President Pierce to the position of chief justice of the supreme court of the territory of Nebraska. He at once removed with his family to Bellevue, this state, and there resided up to the time of his demise, which occurred
DR. NORMAN C. PRINCE
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on the 16th of November, 1859. It was he who instituted and established the first courts of the state and the state's initial code of laws and not only did he serve as chief justice of the territory but was also territorial representative of Nebraska in congress.
Arthur N. Ferguson was one of a family of four sons, the others being Alfred G., Stephen W. and Charles F., all of whom have passed away. Brought by his parents to Nebraska in 1854, he remained at Bellevue until 1857, when he was enrolled as a pupil in a private school at Alexandria, Virginia, conducted by Benjamin Hallowell. Two years later he went to Kinderhook, New York, where he entered an academy, and subsequently he became a law student in the University of Iowa, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1870. The same year he returned to Bellevue, where he opened a law office and there remained in active practice until 1872, when he sought the broader opportunities offered in Omaha and took up his abode in that city. Not long after his arrival he was made special probate judge of Douglas county and in November, 1876, he was elected state senator from the sixth senatorial district and thus served for two terms. On the expiration of that period he was elected district attorney of the fourth judicial district, comprising Douglas, Sarpy, Washington and Burt counties, and continued on the bench for two years. Later he spent two years as a member of the board of education of Omaha and in 1891, when the new law went into effect increasing the number of judges in the fourth district to seven Mr. Ferguson was appointed by Governor Boyd to serve upon the bench. This appointment was made at the request of the Douglas county bar and he served under appointment from the 30th of March until the 31st of December, 1891. In the meantime at the fall election he was chosen by popular suffrage one of the judges of the district court and served with fairness and impartiality in that position for four years, after which he put aside the judicial ermine and resumed the private practice of law, in which connection he was accorded a most important clientage.
In 1879 Judge Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Delia L. Sears, a native of New York and a sister of Mrs. A. J. Poppleton, of Omaha. It was in 1854 that Mrs. Ferguson accompanied her father, Leonard Sears, to Council Bluffs. He became the proprietor of the Robinson House and also of the old Pacific House, and when he retired from the hotel business took up the occupation of farming. Mrs. Ferguson came to Omaha in 1866 to attend Brownell Hall and has lived in this city continuously since 1872. By her marriage she became the mother of two children: Alice Sears, now the wife of Clifford N. Forbes, of Omaha ; and Elizabeth Foote, at home.
Judge Ferguson was a stalwart democrat in his political views and did everything in his power to promote the growth and ensure the success of his party. He held membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, also with the Masonic fraternity and was a member of the Ak-Sar-Ben. At all times he was a public-spirited citizen, interested in the welfare and progress of the community in which he lived. A man of liberal culture, broad minded, well descended and well bred, association with him meant expansion and elevation. His talents were wisely used to conserve the legal interests of the individual ยท and of the state and as judge and legislator he made an excellent record.
ALEXANDER B. MALCOLM, M. D.
Dr. Alexander B. Malcolm was well known in Omaha although he resided in Council Bluffs, and he practiced all over this section of the country, became one of its pioneer physicians and remained one of the most capable and trusted representatives of the profession to the time of his death, which occurred in 1882. He was a native of Maine and came of Scotch ancestry and he resided in
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the Pine Tree state until after his marriage. It was in 1854 that he removed from Bangor, Maine to the west, accompanied by his friend, Mr. Carpenter. They drove the entire distance and Dr. Malcolm cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Council Bluffs. He had previously practiced for about twenty-five years in Boston and after coming to the west he entered into partnership relations with Dr. Peck, practicing at Council Bluffs and at Florence. He made his home in the latter place for a brief period and then took up his abode in Council Bluffs, after which he practiced all over this section. He was a physician of marked ability, keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought, investigation and research. He rode all over the district on horseback or in a gig and winter's storms were never so severe nor summer's heat so intense as to keep him at home if there was a call to professional duty. In the early days he had an office on Harney street and at times amusing incidents occurred in connection with his practice. On one occasion he gave an Indian some chloroform in order to perform a minor operation on his foot. The next morning a squaw came to see him and said: "Mr. God, give Indian 'sleep' medicine heap lots, then Indian get all Pawnees' horses, make them go to sleep, wake up next day, horses gone." Dr. Malcolm was exceedingly kind to the poor and never failed to render pro- fessional aid to the needy when he knew that no remuneration might be expected. In all his professional work he was extremely conscientious and for many years he remained the loved family physician in many households in 'Omaha, Council Bluffs and other districts. He held membership in the Unitarian church and in his life exemplified his Christian faith. Fraternally he was a Mason and was loyal to the teachings of the craft. He passed away in 1882, when between sixty-five and seventy years of age, and thus ended a life of great usefulness that had endeared him in large measure to all with whom he had come in contact, his memory being yet cherished and revered by those who knew him.
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