USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 57
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CHESTER O. OLINE.
Chester O. Oline, who in the conduct of important business affairs displays notable intelligence, keen insight and unremitting energy, is now at the head of the Oline Grain Company, with office in the new Grain Exchange building of Omaha. Nebraska may be proud to claim him as one of her native products, for he displays the alert spirit of the west and the progressiveness that has ever char- acterized this section of the country. He was born in Monroe, this state, July 4, 1887, his parents being Oliver and Mary ( Wickbloom) Oline, the former a native of Sweden and the latter of Illinois. They became pioneer settlers of Platte county, Nebraska, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which oc- curred in 1895. when he was fifty-two yars of age. His widow now resides in Pasadena, California, at the age of sixty-two years. In the family were eight children, of whom Chester O. was the sixth. Three have now passed away, while those still living are, in addition to the subject of this review: Mrs. S. W. Lightner, of St. Edward, Nebraska; Mrs. Henry McClenahan, of Primrose, Nebraska; Mrs. J. E. Swanson, of Arapahoe, Nebraska; and H. E., living in Lynch, Nebraska.
Chester O. Oline became a pupil in the district schools at the usual age, after- ward pursued his studies in the public schools of Monroe, later in the high school at Lynch, Nebraska, and subsequently took his preparatory course in Bellevue College, while from the Nebraska State Normal School at Peru he was graduated with the class of 1908. He then taught school for several years at Wakefield, Nebraska, where he occupied the position of superintendent of schools, and after- ward he entered the State University, in which he studied for a year. He became connected with the grain trade, to which he devoted three years in the service of others. It was then that he organized the Oline Grain Company and under that name is doing a splendid business of which he is sole proprietor. The Omaha World-Herald said of him: "He stands at the very top of his profession because he has applied the principle of brains to his business, and because he has devoted his time to a complete study of the grain business from the standpoint of grower and producer as well as sales agent." His record seems almost phenomenal, so fast has he advanced to the front. He is acquainted with every phase of the grain business, and behind his work as commission agent are experience, honesty, ag- gressiveness and mental alertness.
On the 22d of June, 1911, Mr. Oline was married to Miss Evelyn Van Wickle, of York, Nebraska, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Van Wickle, who are con- nected with the nobility of Holland and became pioneer settlers of Nebraska, still making their home at York. Mr. and Mrs. Oline have a son, Robert, born in Omaha in 1914.
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In politics Mr. Oline is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He finds scope for social activities in the Omaha Club and he belongs to the Commercial Club and to the Omaha Grain Exchange. Working his way upward entirely unaided, he has advanced step by step and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities which he las eagerly utilized. His position is indeed creditable and his reputation a most enviable one.
WILLIAM HENRY LATEY, D. D. S.
Dr. William Henry Latey is one of Salt Lake City's contributions to the citizen- ship of Omaha, for he was born in the Utah capital in 1861. His paternal grand- father, Thomas Latey, was a native of England and in the first half of the nine- teenth century came to the new world, spending his last days in Omaha, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. William Latey, father of Dr. Latey, was born in England in 1836 and in early manhood came to the United States, arriving in Omaha in 1869. For many years he engaged in business here as a grocer but later turned his attention to general contracting and erected many buildings which have added to the substantial improvement of Omaha. He was married in Salt Lake City to Elizabeth Jenkins, a native of Wales, and her last days were spent in Omaha, where she passed away in 1900. About 1906 William Latey put aside business cares and has since lived retired.
Brought to Omaha in early childhood, Dr. Latey acquired a public school edu- cation and afterward took up the study of dentistry in Omaha, where he has practiced continuously since 1886. In the intervening period of more than thirty years he has made steady progress, for study keeps him in touch with the trend of modern thought and investigation along dental lines. He possesses that mechan- ical skill and ingenuity which must be added to scientific knowledge if one wins success in the profession, and his work receives the endorsement of many who have been his patrons for a long period.
On the 19th of January, 1887, in Omaha, Dr. Latey was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary F. Hodges, daughter of the late James Hodges. They have two daughters, Inez F. and Bessie H. Dr. and Mrs. Latey attend the Episcopal church and he gives his political support to the democratic party. He belongs to the Athletic Club of Omaha and is well known in the city, where an ever in- creasing acquaintance has marked a continuous growth in his circle of friends.
PHILIP LEVEY, M. D.
Dr. Philip Levey, devoting his attention to medical and surgical practice in Omaha, was born February 4, 1889, in New Haven, Connecticut. His father, Harris Levey, a native of Russia, came to America about 1865 and established his home in New Haven, where he resided until 1910, when he came to Omaha, where he is now engaged in the wholesale leather business and is one of the prominent and prosperous merchants of his city. He married Rose Ash, also a native of Russia, in which country their marriage was celebrated. Ten children have been born to them, of whom Dr. Levey is the sixth.
In the attainment of his education Dr. Levey attended the graded and high schools of New Haven, Connecticut, and afterward entered Yale University. In 1910 he came to Omaha to complete his medical education and was graduated from the medical department of Creighton University with the M. D. degree in 1913. He served as interne in St. Joseph's Hospital for twelve months and then opened an office for the private practice of medicine, in which he has since con-
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tinued. He has never specialized but has remained in the general field of practice, and the ability which he displays in coping with intricate professional problems has won for him a liberal patronage. He belongs to the Omaha-Douglas County, the Nebraska State and American Medical Associations and he is a first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States army. In addition to his pro- fessional interests he is a director of the United Trading Company of Omaha.
Dr. Levey became a Mason in Omaha and he also has membership with the Woodmen of the World and the Omaha Athletic Club. His political endorse- ment is given to the republican party on questions of national moment, but at local elections he votes independently, considering only the capability of the candi- date.
NATHAN MANTEL.
There are leaders in every line of endeavor and Omaha has her full quota of men who are capable of directing important interests and promoting large business projects. Well known in this connection is Nathan Mantel, of the N. Mantel Company, jobbers of fine cigars. A native of Ohio, Mr. Mantel was born in Bucyrus, February 1, 1880, a son of Louis and Henrietta (Rothchild) Mantel, both of whom were natives of Germany. In early life they came to the new world and settled in Ohio, where the father engaged in the shoe business, and the success which he won through well directed effort enabled him in his later years to live retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He died in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his wife passed away in Bucyrus, that state.
Their youngest child was Nathan Mantel, who in his youthful days attended the public schools of Ohio and afterward pursued a business course. He, too, then became connected with the shoe trade of Ohio and continued active in that line for several years. In 1903 he removed to Omaha, which city he had previ- ously visited at various times on business trips. Following the establishment of his home here he was connected with various concerns but ultimately established business on his own account as a jobber of cigars.
On the 18th of June, 1907, in Omaha, Mr. Mantel was married to Miss Hattie Rehfeld, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Rehfeld. They have two children : Rita Lillian, born February 6, 1909; and Nate, born August 20, 1912.
AUGUST J. EGGERSS.
August J. Eggerss, president of the Eggerss-O'Flyng Company, and the Omaha Fibre & Corrugated Box Company, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, February 8, 1866, and of that place his father, Charles Eggerss, was a native, born in 1833. He there married Minna Peters and in 1880 they came to the United States, making their way to Shelby, Shelby county, Iowa, where they became owners of a farm. In 1881, however, they removed to a farm in Har- rison county, Iowa, and there the father passed away in 1889. His widow has survived him for more than a quarter of a century and now resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.
August J. Eggerss was largely reared in Harrison county, Iowa, where he remained until 1886, when at the age of twenty years he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and spent four years with the Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Company in the capacity of shipping clerk and bookkeeper. He next removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was employed in the paper box factory of Charles Wein- hagen & Company until July, 1892, and this gave him his initial experience in the line of business in which he has since been active. Coming to Omaha in
AUGUST J. EGGERSS
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1892, he purchased the paper box factory operated by John L. Wilkie. On the Ist of January, 1893, the business was incorporated under the name of the Omaha Paper Box Company, located at Nineteenth and St. Mary's avenue. A removal was made to 1208 Jones street on the Ist of January. 1893. In 1896 he took over the Omaha Cigar & Paper Box Factory, since which time he has manufac- tured cigar boxes in addition to all kinds of paper boxes. In October, 1902, the present quarters at Fifteenth and Leavenworth streets were completed and the company has since occupied that plant. In January, 1903, Mr. Eggerss joined hands with Mr. Ivyl O'Flyng, who for some years had been engaged in the print- ing business under the name of the O'Flyng-Parker Printing Company. The new firm adopted the style of the Eggerss-O'Flyng Company, and the manufac- ture of folding cartons was added to their line. Mr. Eggerss has ever made it his motto to supply the demand-in other words, to give satisfaction to his patrons. In 1912 he organized the Omaha Fibre & Corrugated Box Company, which has its special work under the same roof with the other factory.
On the 23d of March, 1895, in Shelby county, Iowa, Mr. Eggerss was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Meitzen, daughter of Albert Meitzen. They have two sons, George W. and Ernest J. In fraternal organizations he has passed in Masonry up through both routes-the York and Scottish Rites-and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Work- men, the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Something of the nature of his recreation is indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Athletic Club of Omaha, the Carter Lake Club and the Music Verein. His loyalty and progressiveness in citizenship find evidence in his mem- bership in the Commercial Club and the Ak-Sar-Ben.
FRED W. FITCH.
Fred W. Fitch, lawyer of Omaha, was born în Grand Rapids, Michigan, November 18, 1860, a son of the Rev. Lemon E. Fitch, a native of New York, who was born in 1811, in Washington county, New York, and died at the age of seventy-eight years. The father was for many years a Christian minister but during his later life was connected with the Seventh Day Adventist church. He was descended from one of the old Puritan families of Massachusetts and was of Scotch-Welsh ancestry. It has been said that his great-grandfather had an original grant or patent from King George to Long Island, New York, and dis- tributed the land among the colonists. Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was named for and after his ancestors. Representatives of the family took part in the French and Indian wars, the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. Lemon E. Fitch was educated for the ministry in Genesee College and his first pastoral assign- ment was at Bath, New York, where he niet Ruth A. Morrison, who later became his wife, they being married at Bath, May 22, 1834. The following year they left New York and settled at Jackson, Michigan, where the Rev. Fitch materially assisted in the upbuilding of the city and was one of the prime movers in the erection of the first courthouse there. He was afterward assigned to pastoral duty in a town then called "Montellona," Illinois, where he established a Christian mission and also cultivated a little farm, which he owned. From 1837 until 1847 he resided at different places in Illinois, where he filled ministerial missions, experiencing much of the pioneer life and Indian depredations, and later he resided at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and at Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he engaged in preaching for fourteen years. He was one of the old time abolitionists and aided the cause of emancipation. From 1862 until 1870 he resided at Angola, Indiana, and thence removed to Anita, Iowa, where he passed away in June, 1889, and was buried with Masonic honors, by that fraternity, of which he was a life member. His wife, Ruth A., was born February 7, 1816, at Bath, New Vol. II-24
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York, and was of Scotch lineage, her father being Alexander Morrison. By her marriage she became the mother of fourteen children, six of whom are still living. Mrs. Cordelia Briggs, formerly of Oakland, California, is now deceased. Henry resides at Iola, Kansas. Mrs. Mariette Bradford is a resident of Sparta, Michigan. Mrs. Lillian Gilbert makes her home in Santa Rosa, California. Mrs. Julia Ferguson is living at Ordway, Colorado. Fred W. is the next of the family. Edward C., who died at Marshalltown, Iowa, February 4, 1912, was a Civil war veteran. He enlisted in Company B, First Michigan Engineers, and served for a little more than three years. He was wounded in the battle near Vicksburg, was then honorably discharged and died at the Soldiers Home in Marshalltown, Iowa, his remains, however, being interred in the Evergreen cemetery at Anita, Iowa. John T., another son of the family, was also a Civil war veteran, serving with the Seventh Indiana Cavalry Regiment attached to the command of General Smith. He was wounded in the battle of Okolona. William L. died in Kansas in June, 1916. Others of the family were: Mildred, who died in Indiana ; Newell Asa, who died in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Matilda, in Montellona, Illinois; and Flora, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The mother was a noble Christian woman, kind and charitable, was a true neighbor, a steadfast friend and a devoted and loving mother. She was born February 7, 1816, and was buried on the eighty- third anniversary of her birth, in the family lot in Evergreen cemetery at Anita, Iowa.
Fred W. Fitch, dependent entirely on his own resources and ambition, at- tended the public schools and graduated from the high school of Atlantic, Iowa, in 1881, and by teaching in the public schools of Iowa, was able to finish the four year military and scientific courses at the State University at Iowa City, in 1885. When nineteen years of age he entered the law office of George S. Wedgewood at Atlantic, Iowa, and subsequently read law with the firm of Kauffman & Nurse, leading lawyers of Des Moines. After completing his state university course he came to Douglas county, in 1885, and for one term taught school, in the Hughes district, west of Omaha. Early in 1886 he entered the law office of Bartlett & Cornish, leading lawyers in Omaha, and in the same year he was admitted to practice at the Douglas county bar, but remained in the employment of his pre- ceptors until the fall of that year, since which time he has been in active and continuous practice. For a time he devoted his energies to the general practice of law but in later years has specialized largely in corporation, real estate and damage cases. From 1904 until 1906 he had charge of all criminal cases in Douglas county, and was the first deputy county attorney of Douglas county to enforce the inheritance tax law. He made an enviable reputation as a criminal lawyer and won many notable cases. His colleagues and contemporaries speak of him in terms of high regard and recognize his special fitness for the profession. He has served as the general attorney in Nebraska for the Erie Railroad Company, and the F. B. Vandegrift Company, of New York city, who are custom house brokers, in receiving and forwarding bonded goods, and has been instrumental in making Omaha one of the chief distributing points for importers. He holds membership in the Omaha and the Nebraska State Bar Associations.
On the 4th day of October, 1888, Mr. Fitch was married in St. Paul, Min- nesota, to Miss Margaret McElhinney, a native of Bedford, Iowa, and a daughter of the late Rev. Samuel McElhinney, who for many years was pastor of the Pres- byterian church at Mount Ayr, Iowa. They have two children : Hugh R., who was born in Omaha, October 22, 1889, and at the present time resides in Seattle, Washington; and Warren, who was born in Omaha, October 13, 1894, and is employed in the treasurer's department of the Nebraska Telephone Company, and who is a graduate of the Omaha high school.
The mother is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Omaha, and Mr. Fitch is a Mason of high rank, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while in the blue lodge he has devoted much time to the lectures
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and work of the order. He also is a Knight of Pythias. Mr. Fitch is a stanch republican and has always been an active party worker. In civic matters Omaha has benefited by his cooperation, for he has been long and constantly identified with leading issues for the betterment of the city. He has always taken an active part in the team work of the Ak-Sar-Ben and for many years has served as chair- · man of the reception committee of that organization at the initiations at the der. he and his committee meeting and welcoming the strangers, guests and excursion- ists, escorting them to the den, and providing for their entertainment. In 1894 he was one of the organizers of the Tourist Wheel Club and became a member and officer of the "Century Road Club." Later he took an active interest in the League of American Wheelmen, an organization which advocated and legis- lated for better roads. In this connection he traveled to many parts of the United States, attending National League Meetings and advocating better roads and cleaner streets. He also served as secretary and president of the Associated Cycling Clubs of Omaha, and during 1896 and 1897 he was very active in having Omaha named as the convention city for many societies and organizations. In 1904, 1905. and 1906 he was active in founding various improvement clubs, the first of which was the Sixth Ward Improvement Club, organized in 1890, at which time he was a resident of the sixth ward of Omaha. The outgrowth of this movement was the organization of the Federation of Improvement Clubs of Omaha, which in 1907 became the Federation of Improvement Clubs of Douglas county, in which he held office as president for four years, while at this writing he is chairman of the executive committee. He was also vice president in 1912. Mr. Fitch was one of the organizers in the southwest part of Omaha of what is known as the "South West Improvement Club," of which he is now the secretary, this being one of the largest "booster clubs" in the city, or state. He was a candidate for a cadetship at West Point in 1880 and passed a successful examination therefor when the congressional district was changed, throwing Cass county in another congressional district, represented in congress by Col. W. P. Hepburn, of Clarinda, Iowa, with the result that Mr. Fitch was denied the opportunity that he had long sought. He subsequently entered the State Univer- sity of Iowa, in which he pursued a full military course under Lieutenant Colonel Thurston, detailed from the regular U. S. Army, while also taking a scientific course. He offered his services to the Government during the Spanish-American War, was accepted and assigned to duty, but was prevented from active service by the ending of that conflict in 1898. His interests have been broad and varied and in a large measure have affected the general welfare of his community. He is continually working for the adoption of higher standards of patriotism and citizenship, for higher ideals and for improvements in civic affairs. He has been a man of action rather than of theory and his labors have been productive of im- mediate, practical results in civic, educational, and improvement affairs. Twice a candidate for judge of the district court of the fourth judicial district of Nebraska, he was permitted, much to his satisfaction, to pursue the even ways of his chosen profession.
CHARLES C. MORGAN.
Twenty-one years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since Charles C. Morgan became a factor in the business circles of Omaha, where he is now well known as the vice president of the C. W. Hull Company. He was born in Denison, Texas, October 16, 1877, a son of James F. and Marilla ( Cooper) Morgan, the former a native of Alabama and the latter of Illinois. They were married, however, in Denison, Texas, where the father had gone in early life, and there for many years he followed mercantile pursuits. For a considerable period he was associated with Colonel Poff and later became a partner in the firm
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of Pierce-Morgan & Company in which connection he conducted general mer- chandise stores in Denison and Gainesville, Texas. He died in 1912, at the age of sixty-eight years, but Mrs. Morgan still makes her home in Denison.
After attending the public schools Charles C. Morgan, the eldest child of the family, entered a preparatory school in Parkville, Missouri, in which he was a student for three years. In 1896 he arrived in Omaha and entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, with which he remained for eight years, employed in various departments. In 1904 he resigned and became connected with the C. W. Hull Company as confidential clerk and traffic manager. In 1912 he was elected to the vice presidency, in which connection he still con- tinnes, thus becoming one of the executive heads of the undertaking. He had previously served as secretary of the company for six years and since his con- nection therewith he has labored earnestly and effectively to develop and upbuild the business.
In December, 1900, in Wausa, Nebraska, Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Blanche Cook, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cook, then of Wausa but now residents of Spencer, Nebraska. Mrs. Morgan was born in Blair, this state, and is now the mother of three children: Elizabeth and Catherine, twins, born March 12, 1904, and Marion, born July 16, 1906, all attending the Omaha public schools.
Mr. Morgan maintains an independent political course, casting his ballot ac- cording to the dictates of his judgment. That he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship is shown by his membership in the Commercial Club and his active support of various measures which are looking toward the expansion of the city's trade interests and the upholding of its civic standards. He is today well known and popular in Omaha's business and social circles and his advancement to his present creditable position is due entirely to well directed energy and thrift.
LODOWICK F. CROFOOT.
Lodowick F. Crofoot, an attorney practicing at the bar of Omaha as senior member of the firm of Crofoot, Scott & Fraser, was born in Pontiac, Michigan, October 9, 1865, the descendant of an old New York family. His father, Michael E. Crofoot, was born in New York state in 1822, where he prepared him- self for the practice of law, and in 1845 located in Pontiac, Michigan. Shortly after going there, he met and married Annie E. Fitch, a native of western' New York. His career åt the Michigan bar was long and distinguished, his practice being so extensive that he maintained offices in both Pontiac and Detroit. He died in Pontiac in 1884, and his wife died there in 1910.
Lodowick F. Crofoot spent the period of his minority in his native city, at- tending the public schools and preparing for his professional career, influenced thereto by inherited tendency and environment, as well as natural predilection. He graduated from the Law Department of the University of Michigan in 1888, was admitted to practice in Michigan in 1887 and in September, 1888, settled in Omaha. He spent three years in gaining practical experience in several law offices, and in 1891 became a member of the firm of Breckenridge, Breckenridge & Cro- foot. On leaving this firm, he continued practice alone until May, 1900, when he organized the firm of Crofoot & Scott. This association has since been main- tained, and in June, 1913, W. C. Fraser became a member of the present firm. The firm represents in Omaha the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company and the American Smelting & Refining Company, besides other large corporate interests. From the beginning Mr. Crofoot has enjoyed a clientage of a distinct- ively representative character, and is acknowledged one of the strong and able members of the bar, and he is always careful to conform his practice to the highest standard of professional ethics.
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