USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 67
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In the public schools of Lockport, New York, and of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Charles N. Robinson pursued his early education and was but ten years of age when he began providing for his own support, being first employed as messenger in the Niagara County National Bank at Lockport, where he remained for ten years, working his way upward to the position of teller. On the expiration of that period he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he found employment with the wholesale dry goods house of Tootle, Hosea & Company, one of the leading firms of the kind in that city. This was his initial step in the wholesale dry goods business and his training made him familiar with the business in all of its departments. He was advanced step by step until he became manager of the credit department, but in 1900 he resigned and removed to Omaha. The same year he entered the wholesale dry goods house conducted under the name of the Byrne & Hammer Dry Goods Company as its secretary and treasurer. In fact he was one of the incorporators of the business and has since been active in its management and control, his progressive spirit, sound judgment and in- defatigable energy contributing much to the success of the institution.
Mr. Robinson was married in Lockport, New York, on the 21st of October, 1885, to Miss Frances Bowen, a native of New York, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bowen. There is one son, George B. Robinson, and a daughter, Frances Cavanagh.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are members of the Presbyterian church and their well spent lives have gained for them an enviable social position. In fraternal circles Mr. Robinson is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias and is a member of the
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Omaha Club, Field Club and Commercial Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but aside from the exercise of his right of fran- chise and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day he does not take an active part in politics, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his rapidly developing business affairs.
WILLIAM LETE SHEARER, D. D. S., M. D.
Dr. William Lete Shearer, recognized as an authority throughout Nebraska and the west on questions of oral surgery, has specialized in that work until his ability places him prominently in the front rank of those whose efforts are directed along the same line. He was born in Fennimore, Grant county, Wisconsin, July 6, 1880. His father, the late E. J. Shearer, was also born in Wisconsin but was a representative of old New York and Pennsylvania families of German and Scotch descent, John Shearer having been the founder of the family in the new world. E. J. Shearer became a successful farmer of Wisconsin and of Iowa but has now passed away. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Elizabeth Ward, was born in Auburn, New York, and is of English lineage. She now makes her home in Omaha.
Dr. Shearer was the second in a family of eight children and after master- ing the branches of learning taught in the graded schools of Omaha he pursued the high school course and was graduated in 1900. He immediately determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work and won his D. D. S. degree upon graduation from the dental department of the University of Omaha in 1902. Some years later he took up the study of medicine and was graduated with the M. D. degree from John A. Creighton Medical College in 1916. His early life to the age of twelve years had been spent upon his father's farm and he then started out to earn his own living. He was a youth of fourteen when he entered the dental office of Dr. G. W. Wertz as an office boy and the interest which the profession awakened in him at that time led to his ultimately qualifying for practice, to which he has given his attention for the past fifteen years, now devoting his time exclusively to surgery of the mouth and jaws, being the only exclusive specialist in this field in Nebraska. He has carried his studies and investigations far beyond the point that the majority of dentists reach and is regarded as a most distinguished surgeon in his field and noted authority upon all questions relating thereto. He is the professor of oral surgery in the dental department of Creighton University and is oral surgeon to four local hospitals.
Dr. Shearer was married on the 30th of October. 1907, at Wiley, Wyoming, to Miss Anna Katharine Wiley, a native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and a daughter of S. L. and Kate M. (Newton) Wiley. Dr. and Mrs. Shearer have three children, Solon Wiley, Elizabeth Ruth and Katharine Jane.
The parents are members of the First Congregational church and Dr. Shearer is also an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is likewise a member of the Omaha Club, the Rotary Club, the Omaha Athletic Club and the Commercial Club, and while he is interested in all those projects and measures which have to do with the welfare of. his city along social, educational, material and moral lines, he nevertheless concentrates his efforts and attention upon his profession and through the steps of an orderly progression has risen to a place of distinction. He benefits by the interchange of thought and experience among the members of the Tri City Dental Society, the Odontological Society, the Eastern District Dental Society, the Nebraska State Dental Society and the National Dental Association. Of the Tri City and of the Eastern District Societies he has been president. He has also
DR. WILLIAM L. SHEARER
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been made an honorary member of fourteen state or local dental and medical associations. He belongs, moreover, to the Omaha-Douglas County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Society, the Missouri Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Clinical Congress of Surgeons of North America. His election to honorary membership indicates in what high regard professional men hold his ability in his chosen field.
GEORGE NICHOLAS AULABAUGH.
The house of George N. Aulabaugh, furrier, is one of the most attractive commercial establishments of Omaha, representing all that is best in the trade, while the progressive business methods and thorough reliability of the proprietor constitute him one of the leading representatives of commercial life in the city. Ohio claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Dayton, February IO, 1877. His father, Josiah A. Aulabaugh, was born on a farm in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1844 and following the outbreak of the Civil war responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in the Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, with which he served for nine months. He was married in Ohio to Frances Glotfelder and in 1889 they removed to Omaha, where they still make their home. In that year the father established business as a furrier and continued actively in the trade until 1902, when he was succeeded by his son. Mr. Aulabaugh gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his relig- ious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church.
George N. Aulabaugh was a lad of twelve years at the time of the arrival of the family in Omaha, where he continued his education in the public schools until he reached the age of sixteen. He then joined his father in the fur business, thoroughly acquainting himself with every branch of the trade relative to pur- chases and sales and in 1902 succeeded to his father's business. He is now conducting the store under his own name and he has the highest class of trade, carrying a very extensive stock of all kinds of furs, which he manufactures into salable goods. He is an excellent judge of the value of furs and his purchases are thus wisely and judiciously made, while the enterprise and close application which are characteristic of his business career constitute factors in his growing success.
On the 19th of June, 1901. in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mr. Aulabaugh was united in marriage to Miss Louise Evans. They have a son, Roger E. Mr. and Mrs. Aulabaugh are members of St. Mary's Avenue Congregational church and Mr. Aulabaugh gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is identified with several social organizations, including the American Canoe Association, the Carter Lake Club and the Rotary Club. Well known in Omaha, where he has resided from his boyhood days, his life is as an open book which all may read and each chapter tells the story of continued progress and advancement not only along the lines of legitimate trade but in the regard of his fellowmen as well.
GEORGE C. STOVALL.
George C. Stovall, proprietor of the Hongkong Tea Company of Omaha, was born March 28, 1873, in Hardin county, Kentucky. His father Hezekiah H. Stovall, a native of the same state, was of English descent, and three genera- tions of the family have resided in Kentucky. During his early life the father followed agricultural pursuits and for many years was connected with the Louis- ville Street Railway Company, during which period he made his home in Louis- ville. Espousing the cause of the Confederacy he served with the Sixth Kentucky Vol II-28
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Mounted Infantry for three years and eight months and was twice wounded in battle. He married Nancy M. Bailey, a native of Kentucky and a representative of one of its old families of English lineage. She died March 5, 1877, leaving a family of six children, of whom George C. is the fourth.
In the public schools of his native county George C. Stovall pursued his education. His early life was spent upon the home farm to the age of twelve years, and in 1885 he accepted his first outside employment, working on a farm, but he received practically nothing more than a living. He afterward was employed in various ways and in 1899 he came to Omaha, where he had his first experience along commercial lines. He entered into the retail tea and coffee business, beginning in a small way, and from this humble start he has developed one of the leading tea stores of Omaha. The business was established March I, 1899, by George C. Stovall and a younger brother. The partnership continued until January 1, 1917, since which time George C. Stovall has been sole pro- prietor. He handles an excellent grade of teas and coffees and his business has now reached extensive and gratifying proportions.
On the 31st of January, 1901, in Omaha, Mr. Stovall was married to Miss Grace Holmes, a native of Mercer county, Illinois, and a daughter of the late L. D. and Callie (Campbell) Holmes, who were pioneer settlers of Omaha and prominent in the city. To Mr. and Mrs. Stovall have been born three children, but the eldest, Holmes, is now deceased. The others are George C. and Lois Virginia.
Mr. Stovall and his wife are members of the Calvary Baptist church. His military record covers connection with the First Ohio Cavalry during the Spanish- American war, and he continued with his regiment until he was mustered out. In politics he is a Wilson democrat, believing firmly in the honesty of the policy, the sagacity and the diplomacy of the president. He stands for all those things which are progressive and helpful in citizenship. He started out in life a poor boy and in his business career has shown the force of industry, progressiveness and determination, for along those lines he has worked his way upward until his substantial success places him among the men of affluence in his city.
OSCAR W. JOHNSON.
Oscar W. Johnson, one of the highly respected and capable lawyers of Omaha who has come to the front by reason of studious habits, painstaking effort and loyalty to the interests which he serves, is now assistant attorney for the Con- servative Saving & Loan Association. He was born in Sweden, November 24, 1877, a son of Johannes and Inga Larson, who were also natives of that country where they spent their entire lives. The father was a well known brick and stone mason who died in 1912 at the age of seventy years. His wife passed away in 1882. To this marriage were born three children: Frank E., the elder son, now living in Lucas county, Iowa ; and a girl who died while an infant.
In his boyhood days Oscar W. Johnson attended the graded schools of Sweden and in 1894, when a youth of seventeen years, came to the new world. He at once made his way to Omaha, where he secured employment and in 1897 he attended the business college conducted by Rohrbough Brothers. After being graduated from that school in 1898 he was employed at various vocations for two years, at the end of which time he matriculated in Creighton College and in 1904 obtained the junior degree. In 1904 he entered the employ of the Con- servative Saving & Loan Association in the capacity of bookkeeper and in the fall of 1906 he began the study of law in night school, continuing his reading until he passed the state bar examination in 1909. He continued his connection with the Conservative Saving & Loan Association and became assistant attorney for that company. He was admitted to practice in 1909 and in 1916 received his
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professional degree from the University of Omaha. In addition to his present professional connection he is a director of the Home Builders Association and the Hydraulic Signal Company of Omaha.
On the 6th of June, 1906, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Agda Katherina Berggren, a daughter of Carl A. Berggren, a pioneer settler of Plattsmouth. Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children : Oscar Arvid Waldemar, born July 30, 1907; Edith Katherine, born August 13, 1910; and Carl Johan August, born April 11, 1915.
Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the republican party. While of Swedish birth he has been practically a lifelong resident of Omaha, and in his business career has won his advancement through determined effort guided by sound judgment and prompted by laudable ambition.
CHARLES CARROLL BELDEN.
The trade interests of Omaha have developed in accordance with the most progressive commercial spirit and prominent in commercial circles is Charles Carroll Belden, president of Thompson, Belden & Company. At all times stimulated by laudable ambition, his close application and indefatigable energy have advanced him step by step until he now enjoys a most enviable reputation as one of the leaders in his line. A native of Ohio, Mr. Belden was born in Mesopotamia on the 5th of August, 1849, and is descended from an old New England family of Scotch-Irish origin. His grandfather, Harvey Belden, was born in Farmington, Massachusetts, and married Patty Bruce, a descendant of the family of the famous Robert Bruce, king of Scotland. Ozro H. Belden, father of C. C. Belden, was born in Farmington, Ohio, and was married in that state to Clara White. In 1854 they removed to Wisconsin, where they resided for five years and then returned to Mesopotamia, Ohio. The father spent his last days in Arkansas, where he passed away, and his widow afterward became a resident of Omaha, where her death occurred March 2, 1907.
Charles C. Belden spent three and one-half years as a pupil in the district schools of Mesopotamia, Ohio. He was not quite fourteen when he entered a general store of that town, in which he "did everything that no one else wanted to do." He was thus employed for about three years and then, when the pro- prietor sold out in Mesopotamia and removed to Garrettsville, Ohio, where he established a store, Mr. Belden accompanied him. He remained in that con- nection for about seventeen years, during which time he gradually worked his way upward to positions of added responsibility and importance, finally becoming the junior partner of Bishop & Belden. On leaving Garrettsville about 1878 he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for E. M. McGillen & Company, a Cleveland dry goods firm, which he represented for about two and one-half years. He was then admitted to a partnership in the retail store of that firm at Youngstown, Ohio, where he spent about a year. He next went to Fremont, Ohio, and in partnership with Henry A. Thompson opened a retail dry goods store, in which he continued until 1886, when they removed the stock to Omaha, opening business at No. 1319 Farnam street. Three years later a removal was made to Sixteenth and Douglas streets in the Young Men's Christian Association building, and in 1905 the business was established at its present location on Howard and Sixteenth streets, in the Hoagland block. The business relations between Mr. Thompson and Mr. Belden have been maintained for thirty-five years and throughout the entire period their connection has been most har- monious, making this one of the strongest mercantile combinations in Omaha. Their store is attractive in its appointments and equipment and in the line of goods carried, while the utmost attention is paid to the personnel of the house and the character of service rendered the public.
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On the 8th of September, 1886, in Garrettsville, Ohio, Mr. Belden was united in marriage to Miss Della V. Reed, her father being the late Thomas Reed, who was an Ohio soldier in the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Belden have been born three children, as follows: Carroll Reed, who was born August 14, 1888, and on the 27th of December, 1913, in Madison, Wisconsin, wedded Fannie Brown; Carolyn Clare, whose birth occurred May 24, 1895, and who passed away on the 9th of August, 1897; and Adelma Reed, whose natal day was January 2, 1903, and who died October 11, 1904.
Mr. and Mrs. Belden hold membership in St. Mary's Avenue Congregational church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is a Master Mason. He belongs also to the Commercial Club, the University Club and the Happy Hollow Club. His is a character that has stood the test of long business association. Just in his judgments, fair and honorable in every rela- tion, he commands the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been associated, while many he has drawn to him in ties of warm friendship.
JOHN F. BLOOM.
John F. Bloom, who is engaged in the monument business in Omaha, belongs to that class of men whose life histories are an illustration of the force of industry and determination in all the affairs of life. He was born in Sweden, November 2, 1854. His family were farming people of that country and his boyhood days were spent in the usual manner of farm lads in Sweden. He came to America in 1873, when a youth of nineteen years, and first settled in Burlington, Iowa, where he learned his trade. There he continued until 1877. when he came to Omaha, but after a few days he returned to Iowa and in 1881 established business on his own account in Red Oak, Iowa, where he engaged in the monument business until 1897. He then engaged in the business in Council Bluffs and after two and a half years removed to the present site of the Welling- ton Hotel in Omaha, there remaining until 1909, when he secured his present quarters at the corner of Seventeenth and Cuming streets. He has today one of the finest monument houses of the middle west. His marble, granite and other materials are largely secured from Salisbury, North Carolina, Barre, Ver- mont and Quincy, Massachusetts, although he imports some from Scotland and Sweden and imports statuary from Italy. He carries a very fine stock, using thoroughly up-to-date cutting machines, and has a sand blasting machine with which to cut letters in granite. In fact there is no equipment known to a first class establishment of this character that is not found in his place. Aside from manufacturing monuments he builds mausoleums, notable among which is the Guy Barton mausoleum. He was also the maker of the Herman Kountz monu- ment, the Captain Marsh monument and many others of the finest to be seen in the cemeteries of this section of the country, unsurpassed by any to be found in America. He employs sculptors as well as stone and granite cutters and he receives patronage from Wyoming and many other states. He occupies a build- ing sixty-six by one hundred feet, with brick and stone trimmings. It is an artistic structure, being a real ornament to the city.
In 1883 Mr. Bloom was married to Miss Emma Anderson, also a native of Sweden, whence she was brought to the new world by her parents in 1879 at the age of thirteen years. They resided for a time in Iowa and then removed to Saunders county, Nebraska. The children of this marriage are: Alvin F. and J. Roy, who are connected with their father in business: Inez, at home; Carl, engaged in the insurance business in Milwaukee: and Marie, who is attending school at Ann Arbor. Michigan. Alvin F. married Irene Tetard and J. Roy wedded Ina Beselin.
Mr. Bloom is a prominent Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter, council, com-
JOHN F. BLOOM
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mandery and shrine and his life exemplifies the principles of the craft in its teachings concerning mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Starting out empty handed, seeking his fortune through the opportunities offered in the new world, he has gradually advanced, keeping in touch with all the latest practical and artistic improvements in the business, until today he is at the head of an establishment scarcely equaled and unsurpassed in his section of the country.
FRANK SCHLINGER.
Frank Schlinger, a member of the firm of Olsen & Schlinger, brass founders of Omaha, was born October 18, 1879, in Zwittau, Austria. His father, Frank Schlinger, a native of the same country, was a successful farmer who lived and died in Austria. He wedded Mary Tast, who was likewise born in Austria and now resides in Omaha. She came to America with a family of four children in 1892 and made her way direct to this city.
Frank Schlinger was educated in the parish schools of his native country and in the schools of Omaha, but when thirteen years of age started out to earn his own living and served an apprenticeship at the printers' trade, which he followed for five years. He then learned the brass moulders' trade and was employed by Wearne Brothers, pioneer iron moulders. Eventually he entered into partnership with Mr. Olsen and the present firm of Olsen &' Schlinger was established. They have since developed their business to large proportions and em- ploy on an average six skilled workmen, their output being sold to the local jobbers trade.
On the 17th of May, 1906, Mr. Schlinger was married to Miss Annie Kramer, a native of Iowa, who was reared, however, in Nebraska City. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kramer, the latter now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schlinger have become the parents of three children, Frank, Theresa and Rosie.
Politically Mr. Schlinger is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and does not seek nor desire office. His has been a well spent life in which he has concentrated his efforts upon his daily duties. and the careful management of his business affairs is bringing well merited success.
HENRY F. HAMANN.
Henry F. Hamann, president of the Leavenworth Laundry Company, was born in Germany in 1848 and is a son of Christian Henry Frederick and Dorothea (Clemant) Hamann, who were also natives of the fatherland. Mr. Hamann took up carpentering and followed that trade until his death. Both he and his wife spent their entire lives in Germany and there reared their family of six sons, of whom Henry F. was the fourth. Three of his brothers, Christian F., Frederick C. and William F., also became residents of Omaha, but the first named is now deceased.
After attending school in Germany, Henry F. Hamann devoted three years to the business of florist and gardener. Later, in 1867, lie took up the carpenter's trade, and in 1870 he crossed the Atlantic with his brother, Christian F., to America, making his way direct to Omaha, where he secured a position at the carpenter's trade. In May, 1871, he went to Chicago and was there during the fire of October, 1871, and became active in the rebuilding of the city, working at his trade there until 1873. He then returned to Omaha and took up car- pentering as an employe of the Union Pacific Railway Company and subse- quently joined his brother, William F., in a contracting business. They erected
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many residences and were active in that line until 1894, when Henry F. Hamann established a hand laundry in connection with a partner. In 1895, however, he bought his partner's interest and continued in the business on his own account. His trade rapidly grew and developed, necessitating larger quarters, which he secured in the erection of his present building in 1914. The plant was completed and fully equipped as a model laundry and is one of the best managed in the city, meriting the patronage of particular housewives because its methods insure that clothes will be returned in a perfectly clean and sanitary condition. The Leavenworth Laundry is not only a business but is an institution of twenty-three years' standing and has made for itself a high place in the city's industries by a service that is entirely satisfactory. Scientific methods have been applied to the care of articles handled, so that there is very little wear and tear on the clothes. Mr. Hamann and his son give personal direction to the business and have developed it to a high point of perfection. The laundry building is large, light, airy and sanitary in every particular and the methods pursued are well nigh faultless.
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