USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 38
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GEORGE A. KEYSER.
George A. Keyser, an attorney practicing at the bar of Omaha, his native city, and a graduate of Creighton Law School, is well known in Douglas county and throughout eastern Nebraska. He was born on the 3d of July, 1889, the only child of John and Elizabeth ( Murphy) Keyser, who are natives of Penn- sylvania and of Illinois respectively. They were married in Chicago and in the early 'Sos removed to Omaha, where the father afterward became a railroad postal clerk in the mail service. He is still in the government service after thirty-five years and has now reached the age of sixty, making trips between Omaha and Sioux City. His wife also survives at the age of fifty-five years.
Reared in Omaha, George A. Keyser attended the public schools and after- ward, in preparation for a professional career, matriculated in the law depart- ment of Creighton University, from which he had graduated in 1910 on the completion of a classical course. Three years later he won his professional degree and in the intervening period he has since built up a large and lucrative practice which has connected him with much important litigation. He resides
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at home with his parents, who are well known pioneer settlers of Omaha, the family having long been prominent and popular here.
George A\. Keyser holds to the faith of his fathers and is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He is also connected with the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. His political support is given to the republican party and along strictly professional lines he has membership with the County and State Bar Associations. He is exceedingly popular among the younger members of the bar and in other walks of life, possessing social quali- ties and characteristics that have gained him high regard. Having always re- sided in Omaha, he is widely known and has a circle of friends almost coex- tensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
WILLIAM J. HYNES.
Among those who have been active in developing and promoting the grain trade that has made Omaha a great market for that commodity is William J. Hynes, now president of the Hynes Elevator Company. He was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, in 1873. His father, Patrick Hynes, a native of County Galway, Ireland, was born in 1832 and in 1848 came to the United States, estab- lishing his home in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He responded to the country's call for troops in 1862 and served in the Civil war for six months with a Pennsylvania regiment, when illness incapacitated him for further field service. In 1898 he became a resident of Omaha, where he now makes his home, but in the meantime he had spent a considerable period in Grand Island, Nebraska.
It was at Grand Island, Nebraska, that William J. Hynes completed his public school education by graduation from the high school, and later he spent two years as a student in the State University, after which he drifted to the age of eighteen years and then found the field of labor in which he has since operated. It was at that time that he began buying grain for a grain merchant of Trumbull, Nebraska, and, finding the work congenial, he applied himself to a thorough mastery of every phase of the business and in that connection worked his way steadily upward, experience bringing to him increasing power as time went on. In 1902 he embarked in the grain business on his own account at Hastings, Nebraska, and in 1906, seeking a still broader field of labor, he came to Omaha and the same year organized the Hynes Elevator Company, of which he is the president. It has ever been his purpose and plan to give to the patrons of the company quick, efficient service and through his instrumentality the business has grown to be one of the dominating factors in the grain trade in this part of the country. Upon the sure foundation of enterprise and business integrity the prosperity of the company has been built and that it today controls an immense industry is evident to all who inquire into the history of the grain trade in Omaha. The Hynes Elevator Company has had a long and honorable career as a member of the Omaha Grain Exchange and as such has done its full share in the move- ment of the crops and in the progressive work that has resulted in the upbuilding of the Omaha market. The company receives and ships grain in large quantities, maintaining a line of elevators in the heart of the hard winter wheat belt of Nebraska and Iowa. Making a specialty of the milling trade, it has become one of the largest concerns connected with that line of business in the middle west. The policy pursued by the president and his associate officers embraces big business methods, personal service, excellent equipment, promptness and thorough trustworthiness. Mr. Hynes was one of the corporators of the Farmers Terminal Elevator Company, and has been its president since its organization.
On the 5th of June, 1903, in Hastings, Nebraska, Mr. Hynes was married to Miss Margaret Pickens and they have a son, William J., born April 5, 1905. The parents are adherents of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Hynes is a
WILLIAM J. HYNES
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republican. He belongs to the Commercial Club, which is a manifestation of his deep interest in the welfare and progress of his city. He is also a member of the Omaha Club, the Omaha Field Club, the Omaha Country Club and the Athletic Club of Omaha, and in the midst of heavy and onerous business cares he finds time for social enjoyment, which is ever a force in maintaining an even balance in the individual. Naturally his interest centers first in his mercantile affairs and he is today a director of the Omaha Grain Exchange, having charge of the Exchange and acting as chairman of the finance committee. For a quarter of a century he has been closely connected with the grain trade and there is no phase of the business with which he is not familiar, while the spirit of advancement that has characterized his entire career has brought him to the point of leadership.
JOSEPH HOWARD RUSHTON.
Joseph Howard Rushton, whose optimistic spirit makes him a valuable addi- tion to the business circles of Omaha and, moreover, a distinct asset in citizen- ship, is now president of the Fairmont Creamery Company, with which he has been continuously identified for a third of a century. A fixed purpose he believes to be one of the elements of success and thus he has closely adhered to one line of business, to which he has given his entire thought and undivided attention. Mr. Rushton is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Manchester in 1849. His father, George Rushton, who was born in England in 1823, married Isabella Hoyle. He came to the United States in 1848 and his wife reached America in 1851. Settling first in Lisbon, Illinois, he there remained to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887. For some years he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1876. He was the founder of the family in the new world, his father, George Rushton, never having come to the United States.
In the schools of Kendall county, Illinois, Joseph Howard Rushton pursued his early education, arriving there when a little lad of but two years. Ulti- mately he became a student in Jennings Seminary at Aurora, Illinois, and then took up the profession of teaching, accepting the superintendency of the schools at Plano, Illinois, in 1873. There he remained for six years or until 1879. when he began studying law. In that year he removed to Aurora, Illi- nois, and in 1880 was admitted to the bar. For a year he practiced in Aurora and in 1881 removed to Fairmont, Nebraska, where he practiced for four years. He then abandoned the practice of law but has a knowledge of legal principles above that of the average lawyer. Becoming allied with commercial interests, he helped to organize the Fairmont Creamery Company in 1884 and has since devoted his attention to the business, which in 1907 was removed to Omaha. He served as secretary and treasurer from 1884 until 1897 and in the latter year was elected president of the company, in which position he has since continued. This company are manufacturers of and wholesale dealers in butter, cheese, ice cream and artificial ice, and also wholesale dealers in eggs and poultry, besides doing a large commercial cold storage business. Associated with Mr. Rushton in the management and control of the business are: E. T. Rector, who is vice president of the company; E. F. Howe, secretary; and George W. Sumner, treasurer. Mr. Rushton thoroughly believes in the policy of adhering to one line of business and it has been his close and concen- trated attention of thought and activity along a single line that has led to his substantial success. His industry is seldom equalled and his loyalty and friend- ship to all those with whom he has come in contact generally follows in propor- tion to their habits of industry. Said one who has known him well for a quarter of a century : "He is justly entitled to the honor of a place in history as the
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Edison of the creamery and dairy industry." In a word, his initiative has resulted in developing many new plans and methods which have been of direct and great value to the business. He has been a wide reader and thorough student of his own business, is a strong organizer and developer of men.
On the 25th of March, 1875, in Lisbon, Illinois, Mr. Rushton was united in marriage to Miss Minnie J. Putt, daughter of William Putt. To them have been born five children, as follows: Grace Isabella, the wife of Dr. John D. Cortelyou, who is professor of German in the Kansas State Agricultural Col- lege at Manhattan, Kansas; George Howard; Raymond W .; Arthur L .; and Alice Louise.
Mr. Rushton attends the Methodist Episcopal church and his political alle- giance is given to the republican party. He is a member of the Happy Hollow Club, of the University Club and of the Commercial Club of Omaha, associa- tions which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. It is characteristic of him that he stands stanchly in sup- port of every principle in which he believes. Studious by nature, he is continu- ally broadening his knowledge by reading and research and he possesses an analytical mind seldom equalled. He is loyal to a fault to all those in whom he believes. Optimistic in his opinion, he has no time or patience for the views of a pessimist. He inherits the English thrift and disposition to dominate in all the affairs in which he takes part or is interested. One who has known him intimately through long years said: "Summing up the life of Mr. Rush- ton we would, without doubt, be justified in recording his name with those of the great men of his generation."
FREDERICK W. SIMPSON.
Frederick W. Simpson, now living retired, first came to Omaha on the 4th of May, 1869, from Watertown, New York, and for many years was closely associated through business and other connections with the development and progress of the west. He is a native of New York, born October 3, 1842, and is the only survivor of a family of twelve children whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. John H. Simpson, of Watertown, New York. There he was reared and at the time of the Civil war he enlisted at Watertown in May, 1861, as a mem- ber of the Thirty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry. After serving with that command as a private for two years he was transferred to the Tenth New York Heavy Artillery and at different times was connected with the First, Ninth, Eighteenth, Sixth and Twenty-fourth Army Corps. He served altogether for four years, one month and eighteen days and was promoted to the rank of first sergeant in the Thirty-fifth Regiment, was made first lieutenant on the reorgan- ization of the regiment and afterward was advanced to the rank of captain. Throughout the entire period of his service he was connected with the Army of the Potomac and he participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Petersburg and Richmond.
With the close of the war Mr. Simpson returned to New York but after four years sought a home in the middle west, arriving in Omaha on the 4th of May, 1869. When a year had passed he took a trip to Utah, then returned to Omaha and later went to the east with the intention of bringing his family to this city. He became ill, however, when in New York and accordingly changed his plans. He then went to work on the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Rail- road, in which connection he was employed in different capacities until 1878. The following year he established his family in Omaha, where he has since con- tinued, and for six years he was connected with the mechanical department of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. He then went into business on his own account on Cuming street in 1887, establishing a blacksmith and carriage mak-
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ing shop, which he conducted for twelve or thirteen years, winning substantial success through his unfaltering industry and persistency of purpose. Eighteen years ago he retired from active business life and has since enjoyed well earned rest. On the 15th of January, 1902, he was appointed secretary of the Douglas County Soldiers' & Sailors' Relief Committee, which office he has since accept- ably filled.
Mr. Simpson was married in Brownville, New York, on the 29th of Janu- ary, 1866, to Miss Rachel Powers, also a native of the Empire state. She passed away in September, 1914, and of their family of two sons and two daughters only one is now living, Grace M., wife of William Arthur, of Omaha.
Fraternally Mr. Simpson is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old comrades who wore the blue uniform in the darkest days of the country's history. He is also connected with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and many years ago he was an active democrat. His long residence in Omaha has made him widely known here and the sterling traits of his character are recognized by all with whom he has come in contact.
HOWARD TAYLOR ROGERS JUDSON.
Howard Taylor Rogers Judson, superintendent of the Midland Glass & Paint Company of Omaha, was born September 23, 1878, in the city in which he yet makes his home. He is a cousin of F. W. Judson. He acquired his edu- cation in the schools of Omaha but put aside his textbooks at the age of fifteen years and began earning his living as an office boy in the employ of a physician, with whom he remained for a year. He was afterward cash boy for two years in Mrs. Benson's store and afterward spent about five years as telegraph messen- ger with the Western Union Telegraph Company, the Postal and the American District Telegraph Company. He afterward became associated with the Klopp & Bartlett Company of Omaha and in 1899 he entered the employ of the Midland Glass & Paint Company in a minor capacity. It took but nine years for him to familiarize himself with every branch of the business and work his way upward through intermediate positions to that of superintendent, in which connection he has remained continuously since 1908.
On the 23d of April, 1902, in Omaha, Mr. Judson was married to Miss Emma H. Schellberg, a daughter of John David Schellberg, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Elinore Eunice.
Mr. Judson's military record covers two years' service with the Thurston Rifles of Omaha. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to the Kountze Memorial Lutheran church and the principles which have guided him in all of his life's relations are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. His latent powers have responded to the call of opportunity and a recognition of the forcefulness of industry as a factor in the world's work has led to the attainment of the creditable position which he now occupies.
JOSEPH CORY MOORE, M. D.
Dr. Joseph Cory Moore became a representative of the medical profession in Omaha in 1887 and for many years actively and successfully engaged in prac- tice but is now largely living retired. Ohio claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred at Cadiz, that state, December 17, 1851. His father, John
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Moore, was born at Cadiz in 1811 and in early life followed the occupation of farming but afterward turned his attention to merchandising in his native city. He married Elizabeth Mccullough, who was born in Ohio in 1813, and both passed away in Cadiz, the death of the mother having occurred in 1856, while the father was called to his final rest in 1881.
Dr. Moore was but five years of age at the time of his mother's demise. He pursued his public school education in Cadiz and afterward matriculated in the University of Michigan for the study of medicine. Later he entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1882. He then came to Nebraska and was engaged in active prac- tice at Oakland until 1887, when he removed to Omaha, where he opened an office and has since continued in the practice of medicine and surgery although he is now practically living retired, his son, Dr. John Clyde Moore, having succeeded him in his professional work, in which he is closely following in the footsteps of his father. For many years Dr. Joseph C. Moore maintained an enviable position in the front ranks of the medical practitioners of Omaha and his counsel is yet greatly valued but he does not care to continue in active prac- tice, feeling that he has earned the right to rest from arduous professional labors. He now has valuable interests in a cattle ranch in Wyoming.
On the 6th of October, 1878, at Hennepin, Illinois, Dr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Emma B. Markley, who passed away in 1891, leaving four children: David Cory, who was chief electrician on the United States Steam- ship Quiros and was drowned at Shanghai, China, October 11, 1915, when thirty-six years of age; Ila May, the wife of John Boies, of Greeley, Colorado; John Clyde, who is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and is his father's successor in practice ; and Eldred Delmar, who completes the family. Having lost his first wife, Dr. Moore was married again in 1893 in Omaha, his second union being with Clarinda Jane Evans.
Dr. Moore is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, while Mrs. Moore is a member of the North Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and for five years he served on the Omaha board of education but has never sought nor desired political prefer- ment, feeling that his professional duties make full demand upon his time and attention. Both he and his son hold membership in the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Society and the American Med- ical Association and the well earned reputation of the father is being sustained by the son, so that the name Moore has long been a synonym for high efficiency in the field of medical practice in Omaha.
SAMUEL EVAN ROGERS.
Samuel Evan Rogers, an Omaha pioneer who has been one of the builders of the city, is now living retired. He was financially interested in banking and real estate enterprises in Omaha and for many years was an active factor in further- ing business along those lines. He was born in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, Feb- ruary 11, 1822, and in direct line traces his ancestry back to Samuel Rogers, who was the first settler in New Jersey of that name and who had a family of five children, one of whom, Anne, became the wife of Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Joseph, son of Samuel Rogers, served with distinction in the Revolutionary war. One branch of the family remained in New England and another branch moved south, settling in Ken- tucky. It is from this branch that Samuel E. Rogers is descended. His father, William Robert Rogers, was born in Flemingsburg. Kentucky, December 14. 1800, and wedded Dorcas Dent, whose birth occurred in Flemingsburg, Feb-
SAMUEL E. ROGERS
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ruary 21, 1799. She passed away in Michigantown, Indiana, August 26, 1853, after which William R. Rogers came to Omaha, where his death occurred October 13, 1854.
Samuel Evan Rogers is a graduate of Wabash College, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, which institution has conferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts. He was graduated in July, 1848, and is the last living member of his class. When his college course was completed he became editor of a weekly paper called the Reveille, published at Pekin, Illinois, and at the same time he engaged in the practice of law there. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he arrived in Omaha on the 28th of October, 1854, and assisted in starting the town, contributing much to its early development through the erec- tion of between eighty and one hundred houses. His operations in real estate were extensive as the years went on and he also became a leading figure in finan- cial circles, for some time conducting a private banking house under his own name, while he also became identified with the State Bank of Nebraska and the Merchants National Bank. In 1882 he set out a fine orange grove in Sutherland, Florida, and there spent the winters for thirty years, returning to Omaha in the spring.
On the 31st of October, 1841, in Michigantown, Indiana, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Martha Brown, daughter of John Slack Brown. She accom- panied her husband when he drove from Omaha to Salt Lake City in 1861 and returned the following summer. They had some rather exciting experiences with the Indians, who occupied the entire western country at that time. Mrs. Rogers died January 13, 1907, the period of her married life covering more than sixty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers became parents of a son, G. Samuel, mentioned elsewhere in this work ..
In his political views Mr. Rogers has long been a stalwart democrat. He was formerly a member of the Masonic order and he belongs to the Unitarian church. In the different localities in which he has lived he has been called upon for public service, filling the office of postmaster at Havana, Illinois, while in Nebraska he was a member of both the first and second territorial legislatures, the first convening January 16, 1855, and the second on the 18th of December of the same year. Thus it was that he became closely associated with the work of shaping early legislative measures of the state as well as with the growth and upbuilding of his city and the influence of his labors is yet felt. He has now reached the very venerable age of ninety-five years, an honored and respected resident of Omaha, where he has made his home for more than six decades. There has been no phase of its development with which he has not been familiar, and throughout the entire period he has borne an active and helpful part in pro- moting public progress.
THOMAS E. MICKEL.
Thomas E. Mickel is president of Mickel's Nebraska Cycle Company of Omaha and also of the Mickel Investment Company and his interests along those two lines constitute an important factor in the commercial circles of his city. He was born at Point Pleasant, Ohio, July 1, 1864, and is a son of Thomas E. and Sylvania ( Peterson) Mickel, who were natives of New Jersey and were of New England stock. Becoming a resident of Ohio, the father there engaged in farming for many years and at the time of the Civil war became a member of the Home Guards. He died at Point Pleasant in 1913 at the ven- erable age of seventy-eight years, while his wife survived until 1914 and was eighty-four years of age at the time of her death. In their family were five children, one of whom has now passed away.
Thomas E. Mickel, who was the fourth of that number, attended the public
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schools of his native state and when his textbooks were put aside he made his initial step in the business world as an employe in a brickyard, in which con- nection he continued until the spring of 1884. He then embarked in business on his own account and remained alone until 1891. He established his present business in 1904 under the name of Mickel's Nebraska Cycle Company and in the intervening period has built up a trade of large proportions, being associated in its conduct with George E. Mickel, who is a partner. Mickel's Nebraska Cycle Company handles Victor Vietrolas and various commodities of a similar character, doing business at Fifteenth and Harney streets, in Omaha. Aside from this Thomas E. Mickel is president of the Mickel Investment Company, of Omaha, and Mickel Brothers, of Des Moines, Iowa.
In 1884 Mr. Mickel was united in marriage to Miss Florence Sherman, of Point Pleasant, Ohio, who died in Omaha in 1900. There were four children of that marriage. William E., who was born in Omaha and is a graduate of the city schools, is now married and still makes his home here. He has two sons, Robert and William E., Jr. The second of the family is a daughter, Grace, who is a graduate of the Omaha schools. Clyde, who resides in Omaha, is married and has two sons, Thomas E. and William Lee. The youngest of the family, May, was born in Omaha. She is the wife of Morton D. Gray and they have two children, Jacqueline and Martha D. For his second wife Mr. Mickel chose Miss Idabelle Thorpe, of St. Joseph, Missouri, whom he wedded in 1904, and her death occurred in 1912 as the result of an accident.
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