USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 54
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WILL H. WOOD.
Will H. Wood is one of the leading men of the Union Stock Yards and presi- dent of one of the leading firms of live stock commission brokers in the Exchange building in South Omaha, which city has become a center of the live stock indus- try, rising rapidly to prominence in that connection. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, January 13, 1866, a son of John H. and Mary E. (McDonald) Wood, who were natives of Scotland but who came to America in early life. After two years' residence in Chicago the father, in 1860, established one of the first live stock commission brokerage businesses at the stock yards in that city and there- fore was one of the pioneer commission men at the Union Stock Yards in Chi- cago. The work which he did in this connection constituted an initial step in a movement that has been of untold value and worth in making Chicago the radi-
WILL H. WOOD
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ating center of the live stock interests of the country. He kept abreast with the times in the development of the business there, remaining in active connection therewith until his death, which occurred in 1909, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Chicago at the age of eighty years. In their family were seven children, of whom four are yet living: John E., now living in Chicago; James, also of that city ; and Mrs. Hazel Kirkendall, of Chicago.
Will H. Wood, who was the third of the family, attended the public schools of Chicago in early boyhood and afterward became a student in the Allen Academy, thus completing his educational training. He then entered into busi- ness with his father and acquainted himself with the live stock industry both in principle and detail. In 1897 he decided to start out independently and came to Omaha, representing the Evans, Snider & Buel Company, in which he was a stockholder and director. He continued to conduct the affairs of the company in Omaha, operating at the Union Stock Yards with offices in the Live Stock Exchange building. He was thus engaged until the company sold out this branch of the business to him, at which time the firm of Wood, Oswald & Company was formed on the Ist of January, 1913. It has since been in existence and the busi- ness has been a thriving one from the beginning until the firm occupies a com- manding and enviable position among the companies having headquarters in the Exchage building at the Union Stock Yards in South Omaha.
Mr. Wood wedded Miss Marie Louise Gwennap, of Chicago, on the 26th of September, 1889. She died leaving two children. Gwendolin Louise is now the wife of Timothy Sullivan, of Chicago. She was born in that city and is a gradu- ate of the Sacred Heart convent there. By her marriage she has become the inother of two children, James Sullivan and Dorothy Sullivan. Loring J. Wood, a native of Chicago, is now a student in the electrical department of the State University of Iowa at Ames, from which he will graduate in the summer of 1917. Mr. Wood's second marriage was to Miss Lillian P. Rice, of Chicago, who died in Omaha in 1901. Having lost his second wife, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Ida L. Becker, of Omaha, in December, 1903. She is a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Becker and her mother is now living in San Jose, California.
Mr. Wood exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and fraternally is a prominent Mason, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and consistory. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Royal Arcanum and to the North American Union and he likewise has membership in the Omaha Field Club, the Omaha Athletic Association and the Omaha Commercial Club. His religious faith is evidenced by his membership in the Episcopal church. Thorough training and experience, combined with laudable ambition and indefatigable energy, have brought Mr. Wood to the creditable and prominent position which he now occupies in the business circles of Omaha in connection with the live stock industry, and while standing high in commercial circles, he ranks equally well in the social life of Omaha and in citizenshp. In a word, he has displayed many admirable traits that are worthy of all praise and commend him to the confidence and goodwill of those who know him.
JOHN A. BRUCE.
John A. Bruce, city engineer of Omaha, was born July 7, 1875, in Fredericks- burg, Sweden, but is of Scotch descent in the paternal line, his ancestors having gone to Sweden from Scotland more than a century ago. His parents, Peter O. and Mary Bruce, came to the United States in 1879, making their way first to
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Chicago. In 1880 they settled on a farm in Saunders county, Nebraska, where they remained until 1892 when the father passed away at the age of fifty-five years. The mother, who was born in March, 1842, is still living with her son in Omaha. They were the parents of eight children of whom four survive: John A .; Alfred P., living in Kalispell, Montana ; Mrs. Alma Lindburg, of Seattle ; and Herman S., of Los Angeles, California.
John A. Bruce, who was the seventh of the family, attended country schools of Saunders county up to the age of nineteen years, when he entered Luther Academy at Wahoo, Nebraska, pursuing a preparatory course during three winter seasons. He afterward taught school for three years and then entered upon a general scientific course in the University of Nebraska, from which he was graduated in 1903. He afterward became connected with the Illinois Central Railroad as track apprentice at a salary of one dollar and twenty-five cents per day. He remained there only two months and then became assistant in the engineering department of the Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City Railroad at an advance in wages. He was thus engaged in railroad location for three months and after leaving the location department he became instrument man on construction work, spending five months in that way. Later he was made resident engineer and in that position his salary was doubled. He finished forty miles of construction work, and on Christmas day of 1904 he came to Omaha where he entered the service of the Union Pacific as assistant engineer in charge of construction in Kansas. On December 25, 1905, he was transferred to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he re- mained until February, 1906. He then went to work for the Denver North- western & Pacific Railway (the Moffatt Line) and was thus engaged until 1907, when he again came to Omaha and entered the city engineer's office as assistant engineer on paving and sewer work. His duties of that character claimed his attention and energies until April, 1911, when he entered upon the private practice of his profession in which he still continues. On the Ist of August, 1915, he was appointed city engineer and is now discharging the duties of that position in a most capable and efficient manner. His practical experience has been broad, cov- ering almost every phase of railroad building and engineering work, and he is thus well qualified for the onerous duties which devolve upon him.
On the 27th of December, 1905, in Omaha, Mr. Bruce was married to Miss Nellie Neilsen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Neilsen, pioneer residents of Omaha of 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have two sons: Philip R., born in January, 1907 ; and John F., born in August, 1908. Mr. Bruce is well known as a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Com- mercial Club and his standing in professional circles is indicated by his member- ship in the American Society of Civil Engineers.
RUDOLPH RIX, M. D.
Dr. Rudolph Rix, physician and surgeon of Omaha, was born in Washington county, Nebraska, December 28, 1870, a son of Nicholas and Maria (Hagadorn) Rix, both of whom were natives of Germany. Coming to America in 1852, they settled in Clinton, Iowa, traveling by ox team to Washington county in 1857. There the father engaged in farming but at the present time is living retired at Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died in 1907, at the age of seventy-seven years. In their family were eight chil- dren : Henry ; Emil; Emma ; Minnie, living at Fort Calhoun ; Rudolph ; and three who have passed away.
Of this family Dr. Rudolph Rix was the seventh in order of birth. In early life he attended the country schools and devoted four years to college work in Shenandoah, Iowa, and Lincoln, Nebraska, after which he began preparation for the practice of medicine as a student in the Creighton Medical College of Omaha,
DR. RUDOLPH RIX
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from which he was graduated in 1899. His first practical experience came to him as interne in St. Joseph's Hospital and in 1900 he began private practice in Omaha, where he has since remained. In 1911 he went to Baltimore, Maryland, for post graduate work in the Johns Hopkins University and he has also pur- sued other courses elsewhere, thus keeping in close touch with the trend of mod- ern scientific thought and investigation. He belongs to the County, State and American Medical Associations and he has the high respect and goodwill of his fellow practitioners, who recognize him as an able member of the profession and one who is most careful to conform his practice to a high standard of profes- sional ethics. He has charge of the gynecological department of the Creighton Medical College and in his professional capacity is a representative of the St. Joseph, St. Catherine's and Douglas County Hospitals.
. On the 17th of September, 1903, Dr. Rix was married to Miss Louise Arnold, of Logan, Iowa, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. McMaster, well known resi- dents of Logan. The two children born of this marriage are Margaret and Robert, born in 1905 and 1907 respectively and now attending the Omaha schools.
Dr. Rix is a firm believer in Omaha and her future destiny and does every- thing in his power to upbuild her interests. He is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Masonic circles has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. His is one of the bright minds of the medical profession in Omaha and wide reading has made him one of the best informed physicians and surgeons, while practical experience has constantly augmented his skill.
GEORGE H. ALWINE ..
George H. Alwine, a dealer in building supplies in Omaha, is one of the most public-spirited residents and enthusiastic supporters, of this city, convinced of its advantages and of its further opportunities through frequent visits to all of the large cities between New York and Denver, If all of her townsmen would give to Omaha the same loyal support her possibilities would be unlimited. Mr. Alwine is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, September 16, 1880. His father, Samuel Alwine, a native of Pennsylvania, represented an old pioneer family of that state, of German descent. He engaged in mechanical pursuits and is still active along that line in Greensburg. During the Civil war, while too young to become an enlisted man, he assisted in the transportation of troops then being conveyed by wagon and other means to various points of enlistment. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jessie B. Null, was born in Pennsylvania of German and French parentage and by their marriage they became the parents of seven children, of whom George H. was the third.
While spending his youthful days in his father's home George H. Alwine at- tended the public and high schools of Greensburg, completing his course by graduation with the class of 1899. He next entered Western University at Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, and on attaining his majority started out in the business world, entering upon an apprenticeship in the Westinghouse shops in East Pitts- burgh for the purpose of acquainting himself with the work of mechanical engi- neering. He served a four years' apprenticeship, after which he resigned his posi- tion there and made his way to the west, going first to a ranch at Dennison, Colorado, on which he remained for a year largely for the benefit and experience that he would derive from cowboy life. He afterward returned to Pittsburgh, where he took up civil engineering with the Jones & Laughlin Steel Company. He next went to Chicago and was employed by the Illinois Steel Company in an engineering capacity, remaining in that connection for a year. He next came to
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Omaha for Swift & Company to superintend the construction of their first rein- forced concrete building. He arrived on Labor day of 1906 and when his contract had been completed he left this city for the Black Hills, removing to Deadwood, South Dakota, as a representative of the Black Hills Development & Financial Company. He was there engaged in developing the old Iron Hill mine, but the company failed and Mr. Alwine returned to Omaha. Here he became connected with the Union Stock Yards Company as assistant chief engineer in the develop- ment of their water plant. He spent two years with that company and was next with Sunderland Brothers, who were engaged in handling building materials and supplies. He continued with that firm for a year in the capacity of specialty sales- man, after which he established his present business under the name of the G. H. Alwine Company, handling building materials and contractors' supplies. They sell the usual materials used in construction work in all kinds of buildings, from the small home to the skyscraper, and represent many leading manufacturers of the east. Within a brief period Mr. Alwine has in this connection built up a very satisfactory and growing business and today has one of the leading concerns of the kind in Omaha.
On the 27th of October, 1908, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mr. Alwine. was mar- ried to Miss Helen M. Keenan, who was born at Rapid City, South Dakota, a daughter of H. J. and Ada (Scherer) Keenan, who were pioneers of that state. Mr. Alwine is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks at Deadwood, South Dakota. From the age of fifteen years dependent upon his own resources, his determination and ability have enabled him to overcome obstacles and surmount difficulties and step by step he has ad- vanced until he is now in control of a large and profitable business. He believes that Omaha offers excellent opportunities and he champions and supports every movement tending to upbuild the city and extend its trade relations. He believes as well in the maintenance of high civic standards and endorses every measure that works for a greater and a better city.
ARTHUR C. STORZ.
Arthur C. Storz, secretary and treasurer of the Western Auto Supply Com- pany, is one of the enterprising young business men of Omaha, his native city. His parents, Gottlieb and Emma (Buck) Storz, were natives of Germany and in early life came to America, settling in Omaha in 1870. Here the father afterward engaged in the brewing business. In 1865 Joseph Baumann had established a small brewery on Sherman avenue and upon his death in 1876 his widow suc- ceeded to the business with Gottlieb Storz as foreman, the latter conducting the business in that connection until 1884, when he and J. D. Iler purchased the prop- erty and under the firm style of Storz & Iler carried on the brewing business. They enlarged and improved the building and machinery, securing the latest facilities to promote the manufacture of their output. In May, 1891, Mr. Iler sold his interest and a corporation known as the Omaha . Brewing Association was formed with Gottlieb Storz as the president, Frederick Stuhbendorf as vice presi- dent and Louis Schroder as secretary and treasurer. The business was capitalized for more than one million dollars, thirty per cent being paid up. This company has now erected on Sherman avenue, between Clark and Grace streets, a new brewery, the structure being of brick, iron and cement and with its equipment of the latest improved machinery it cost about five hundred thousand dollars. It is one of Omaha's largest breweries and Gottlieb Storz is still active in the manage- ment of the business at the age of sixty-five years. To him and his wife were born six children, Mrs. E. A. Higgins, Adolph, Arthur C., Olga, Louis and Robert, all of Omaha.
In early life Arthur C. Storz attended the schools of Omaha and Macon,
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Missouri, being graduated from Macon College with the class of 1907. He after- ward devoted three years to the brewing business in connection with his father and then turned his attention to the automobile business under the name of the Arthur Storz Automobile Supply Company. This was in January, 1911. He managed his interests in that way until the spring of 1914, when he consolidated his business with that of E. A. Pegau and they now have one of the largest acces- sories supply houses in the state.
In April, 1912, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mr. Storz was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hart, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hart, of Omaha. She miet an accidental death June 8, 1916. In politics Mr. Storz is a democrat and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is well known in Omaha, where the greater part of his life has been passed.
JOHN BONDESSON.
John Bondesson, city clerk of Florence, was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, on the 24th of December, 1841, a son of Bonder Johnson and Anna Ringstead, the latter the daughter of a soldier who spent six years in the army of Russia, fighting against the troops under Napoleon. This was from 1809 until 1815. He was at the battle of Leipzig and also at Waterloo with the cavalry forces. On one occasion he had his horse shot from under him but escaped injury him- self and returned to Sweden. Bonder Johnson, a native of Helsingborg, was a farmer by occupation and resided on the old homestead that is now occupied by one of his sons. This farm had been in the possession of the family for many generations.
John Bondesson is the eldest of a family of eight children and in his youthful days attended the local schools. At the age of thirteen years he was sent to the town of Landskrona to attend the higher schools and a year later became a student in the Real school at Lund, from which he was graduated two and one- half years later. He next attended the university at Lund and subsequently was sent to Stockholm, where he became a student in the Polytechnic Institute. A year later, owing to his father's death, he returned home. His education had been most liberal and well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties.
Not very long after his return home Mr. Bondesson was married in 1864 to Miss Bendicta Olson, of Helsingborg, whose father was a farmer. To them have been born nine children, as follows: Ida Christina, who is now the wife of C. A. Victors and resides in Portland, Oregon ; Anna Erika, who is the widow of Nels Seieroe and resides in Omaha; Otto, who is employed in the smelter at Omaha; Gerda Marie, the wife of Jacob Webber, of Florence ; Augusta Barnhardt, office manager for the Pabst Brewing Company of Omaha; Signe Katinka, wife of J. B. Brengle, of Omaha; Lillian Eitel, who is the wife of B. H. Graff and lives in San Francisco; Helen Vera, who is now Mrs. Lyman Walker, of Detroit; and Rene Violet, the wife of J. F. Hamblet, of Florence.
Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Bondesson engaged in the tannery business with his brother-in-law at Helsingborg, there remaining for nine years, when he withdrew from that connection and turned his attention to the grocery trade, in which he continued for a year. He came to America in 1877, making his way direct to Omaha, where he first rented the General Lowe farm of George P. Bemis. For several years he engaged in the cultivation of rented land, so con- tinuing until 1886, when he removed to Florence, where he has since made his liome. He engaged in farming and fruit raising and in his agricultural and horticultural pursuits has been quite successful. He is a fine type of the Swedish- American citizen who, liberally educated, has remained throughout life a great reader and student. He is a man of culture and most pleasing address and a
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man of unquestioned integrity and honor in every relation of life. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but on all questions of moment he maintains the standpoint of a broad-minded man. For the past eight years he has been city clerk of Florence and over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
JAY D. FOSTER.
Jay D. Foster, president of the Foster-Barker Company, a leading insurance firm of Omaha, ranks with those citizens who feel a deep responsibility in rela- tion to public affairs, and gives active and helpful support to all practical plans and measures for the upbuilding and development of civic interests. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, October 9, 1861, a son of Franklin P. and Zerviah (Porter) Foster. The paternal grandfather, Elias Foster, was born in Ohio, was a representative of one of the oldest families of that state, and passed away in Canton, Illinois, in the year 1835. The paternal grandmother, Phoebe (Reeve) Foster, was born in Plattsburg, New York, July 2, 1800, and was a granddaughter of Major John Addoms (Adams), who served as an officer. in the war of the Revolution and who was related to President John Adams. Phoebe (Reeve) Foster died at Clarinda, Iowa, in 1893.
The maternal grandfather, Colonel Harry Porter, was born in New York state, September 28, 1793, and died at Farmington, Illinois, February 16, 1866. He served as colonel in the War of 1812. He was married to Elizabeth Bassett February 12, 1814. They became pioneer settlers of Fulton county, Illinois, where they established their home at Farmington in the year 1835. The maternal grandmother, Elizabeth (Bassett) Porter, died at Farmington, Illinois, November 26, 1855.
Franklin P. Foster, the father of Jay D. Foster, was born near Columbus, Ohio, in 1828, and in early youth accompanied his parents on their removal to Canton, Illinois, where he later followed merchandising. His last days were spent in Clarinda, Iowa, where he died in the year 1884. He was married to Zerviah Porter, November 8, 1849. Zerviah (Porter) Foster was born at Clark- son Corners (near Rochester), New York, on the 19th day of March, 1833, and passed away in Los Angeles, California, August 8, 1902.
Jay D. Foster pursued his education in the schools at Farmington, Illinois, and first came to Omaha in 1876. He secured employment with the hardware firm of Milton Rogers & Son Company in 1878, remaining in the store until 1884, as accountant, and later acting as traveling salesman for that firm in Nebraska.
He next went to Chicago and in 1886 made his initial step there in the insurance business, being connected with a prominent fire insurance agency for a period of three years. In July, 1889, he returned to Omaha, where, in the inter- vening period of twenty-eight years he has been continuously engaged in the fire insurance business, being today one of Omaha's prominent insurance repre- sentatives. For many years Mr. Foster was associated with the insurance firm of H. E. Palmer Son & Company, of which he was an active member and founder. In 1908 the Foster-Barker Company was incorporated, succeeding the firm of H. E. Palmer Son & Company. Mr. Foster is now president, with Joseph Barker as vice president. They handle every known kind of insurance save life insurance, and their clientage is now extensive-the total volume of business transacted placing them in the list of the leading insurance agencies in the west, which is a splendid tribute to Mr. Foster's untiring energy, extending over a period of nearly three decades.
On the 17th of June, 1891, in Los Angeles, California, Mr. Foster was mar- ried to Miss Leonora Smith, a daughter of the late Evert Van Ness Smith.
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JAY D. FOSTER
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Mr. Smith came to Omaha in 1855, and took up government land-his farm later being platted by Mr. Smith and known as E. V. Smith's Addition and the streets, Grace and Clark, being named for Mrs. Smith, whose maiden name was Grace Clark. Mrs. Foster is a native Nebraskan, having been born in Omaha.
Mr. Foster is well known in club circles, holding membership in the Omaha Club, University Club, Elks Club, Omaha Field Club, Omaha Country Club and Omaha Athletic Club, and he is one of the oldest members of the Omaha Com- mercial Club, having in the past served as a member of its executive committee. In 1905 Mr. Foster occupied the presidency of the Omaha Field Club, and was a member of the first board of directors of the Omaha Auditorium.
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