USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 72
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THOMAS E. DAILEY, D. D. S.
Dr. Thomas E. Dailey, a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, was born June 8, 1881, of the marriage of James H. and Anna (McLain) Dailey, the latter a native of St. Louis, Missouri. The father, who was born in Ireland, came to America in his boyhood days and after living for a short time in St. Louis removed to Nebraska in 1876, settling first in Omaha, which was then a small town. There he engaged as roadmaster with the Burlington system and remained in the employ of that corporation for thirty-two years, being one of its most trusted and trustworthy representatives. He died in 1907, at the age of sixty, having for more than a decade survived his wife, who passed away in 1896, at the age of fifty-five years. In their family were ten children.
Dr. Dailey, who was the sixth in order of birth, acquired his early education in Lincoln and afterward entered Notre Dame University of Indiana, while subse- quently he became a student in the Sacred Heart College at Denver. He won his professional degree upon graduation from the dental department of the University of Nebraska in 1907, after which he located for practice in Louisville, this state, where he remained for about four years. He then came to Omaha and in the intervening period has built up a large practice, being today well known as a prominent and able representative of the dental profession.
Dr. Dailey is a member of the Omaha, the Douglas County, the Nebraska State and the American Dental Societies and thus keeps in touch with the dis- coveries that are constantly being made that facilitate dental work and reach out toward perfection in the attainment of the object of the profession.
Dr. Dailey belongs to the Roman Catholic church and to the Knights of Colum- bus. He also has membership with the Elks and he belongs to the University Club, the Country Club, the Field Club and the Omaha Athletic Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but while well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has neither time nor inclination to become an active party worker nor office seeker, his profession making growing demands upon his efforts and attention.
NATHAN MERRIAM.
Nathan Merriam is one of the pioneer grain men of Omaha, having become con- nected with the trade here in 1877. Throughout the intervening period of forty years he has operated along this line, maintaining throughout the entire time a leading position as one of the grain merchants of eastern Nebraska. He was born in Merrimack, New Hampshire, in 1849, a son of Marshall and Sarah (Shook) Merriam, the former born in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1801, while the latter was a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Reared in Merrimack, Nathan Merriam attended its public schools and after- ward entered the Pinkerton Academy at Derry, New Hampshire, from which he
NATHAN MERRIAM
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was graduated with the class of 1866. He afterward devoted a year to special work in Dartmouth College and in 1872 sought the opportunities of the growing west, establishing a produce commission business in Chicago. There he remained for about a year but in 1873 removed to North Bend, Nebraska, where he em- barked in the grain trade. In 1877 he arrived in Omaha, for he had the prescience to recognize something of what the future held in store for this small but enter- prising and growing city. He began dealing in grain as one of the pioneer merchants in this field and through a period of four decades has maintained a place as one of the leading grain men of the city, his business having early assumed extensive and profitable proportions. He is now president of the Merriam & Millard Company, and also president of the Merriam Commission Company. At all times his business has balanced up with the principles of fairness and honor, his prosperity being based upon his close application, keen business discernment and square dealing.
In 1876, in North Bend, Nebraska, Mr. Merriam was married to Miss Allie T. Gale, whose father, Nathaniel E. Gale, was a captain in a New York regiment in the Civil war. The children of this marriage are: Mildred E., now the wife of Lieutenant Harry Diehl of the British navy ; and Natalie, the wife of Barton Mil- lard, a grandson of the Hon. Joseph M. Millard. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Presbyterian church. At one time Mr. Merriam took a very active part in progressive politics and for four years was national committeeman of the progressive party from Nebraska, in which connection he attended the Chicago con- vention in 1912. He belongs to the University, Omaha and Country Clubs and he is also a member of the Commercial Club, in which connection he stands as a stalwart champion of well organized plans for the city's upbuilding. Throughout the entire period of his residence in Omaha he has cooperated in all the movements for its development, strongly endorsing those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. The entire course of his career has been such as to win for hin the unqualified respect and honor of his fellow townsmen and Omaha ranks him with her most valued citizens.
HON. EDWARD F. TRAPP.
Hon. Edward F. Trapp, a real estate dealer of South Omaha who is also filling the office of justice of the peace, was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, December 8, 1865. His father, Benjamin F. Trapp, was a native of Missouri, born at War- rensburg, and represented one of the old pioneer families of that state, being a son of Andrew Trapp, who for twenty years was district judge at Warrensburg. At the time of the Civil war Benjamin F. Trapp volunteered for service with the fed- eral army, being then but nineteen years of age. He served throughout the entire period of hostilities and was taken prisoner at the battle of Lexington. Later he became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old comrades in arms. In 1873 he removed to Omaha and for fifteen years was a mail carrier of this city. He also served as justice of the peace for three years and made an excellent record in office. For many years he gave stanch support to the republican party but in later years became a democrat and strong admirer of William J. Bryan. His death occurred in South Omaha in 1894, when he had reached the age of sixty-eight years. He is still survived by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel S. Groves and was born in Ohio. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, of whom Edward F. was the second.
After acquiring his education in the public schools of Omaha, Edward F. Trapp started out at the age of fifteen years to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1914, working at the trade first in the shops of the Union Pacific Railroad. He also served as building inspector of South Omaha for four years and Vol. II-30
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in I911 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which position he has since occupied, forming his opinions without partiality or favor, so that his excel- lent record in office has "won him golden opinions from all sorts of people." He is an active and loyal supporter of the democratic party. In addition to his official service he was also engaged in the building and contracting business for many years, erecting many homes and public buildings in this city, including the South Omaha high school. He is now engaged in the real estate business, in which he has won a large clientage, operating successfully in South Omaha, where he has handled much valuable property and negotiated many important realty transfers.
In 1885, in Omaha, Mr. Trapp was united in marriage to Miss Annie Matza, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Matza, who were early settlers of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Trapp had two children but lost their son, Thomas Edward. The daughter, Mabel, is the wife of Lloyd McClintock, of Omaha. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Trapp is connected with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is popular with a large number of Omaha's citizens and he stands for all that is progressive in connection with the city's welfare and upbuilding.
FRANK WOODHULL JUDSON.
Carefully formulated plans and undaunted enterprise have brought Frank Woodhull Judson to a conspicuous and honorable position in commercial circles of Omaha, where since 1898 he has been connected with the Midland Glass & Paint Company, of which he is secretary and general manager. He has always lived west of the Mississippi and the spirit of western enterprise finds exemplification in his career. He was born in Farmington, Minnesota, in 1874 and comes of a family of English lineage, his grandfather being the Hon. Roswell Judson, a native of New York, while his father was Roswell Carl Judson, who was born in Sherburne, New York, in 1836. In Hastings, Minnesota, the latter was married to Miss Mahala Woodhull. At the time of the Civil war he became connected with the quartermaster's department, his physical condition barring him from active field service. For many years he was numbered among the leading and influential residents of Minnesota, serving at one time as dairy commissioner of the state, while for twenty-one years he was secretary of the Minnesota State Fair Associa- tion, which held its annual meetings at Hamline, Minnesota, and under his administration all the present fair buildings were erected, while the interests of the company were placed upon a substantial basis. The last ten years of his life were spent on the Pacific coast, where he was general industrial manager for the Southern Pacific Railway and the Oregon Navigation & Railway Company. His death occurred in Portland, Oregon, in 1906. His widow survived him until 1910, when she, too, answered the last summons.
In his youthful days Frank W. Judson mastered the branches of learning which constituted the curriculum of the Farmington high school and later entered the University of Minnesota. In 1890 he went to St. Paul and made his initial step in the business world in the line in which he is now engaged, securing em- ployment in a glass and paint house. Through the succeeding eight years he gained a thorough knowledge of the business in every phase, gradually working his way upward, and throughout the entire period he was actuated by a strong desire to engage in business on his own account. Industry and strict economy made this course possible and in 1898 he came to Omaha, where he organized the Midland Glass & Paint Company, of which he was chosen secretary and general manager. Through the intervening period, covering nineteen years, he has con- tinued as the executive officer of the institution and its growing success is attribut- able to his well defined plans, carefully executed, and his unfaltering business enterprise. He is also a director and the vice president of the Omaha Crockery
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Company, also an important business interest of the city, and his prominence in commercial circles is further indicated in the fact that he served as chairman of the executive committee and later as president of the Omaha Commercial Club, and was elected president of the Omaha Hay Exchange in April, 1916, which position he now holds.
On the 12th of May, 1898, in Farmington, Minnesota, occurred the marriage of Mr. Judson and Miss Minnie E. Burton and they have a daughter, Dorothy Elmira. Mr. and Mrs. Judson are active workers of the First Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as a trustee. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and while he neither seeks nor desires office his cooperation is easily obtained in support of measures looking to the betterment and upbuilding of the city. To this end he has become a member of the Commercial Club and aids in all the movements which are promulgated by that organization for Omaha's benefit. Appreciative also of the social amenities of life, he has membership in the Omaha, Country, University and Athletic Clubs. There have been few idle hours in his life. He is always busily engaged with some interest and he has realized that it is just as important to play well as to work well if one would main- tain an even balance in nature and in character. In his business career there is nothing spectacular but it is indicative of the fact that honorable success always follows persistency of purpose and intelligently directed effort.
KIRSCHBRAUN & SONS, INCORPORATED.
The house of Kirschbraun & Sons, Inc., of which Louis Kirschbraun is presi- dent and Charles Kirschbraun vice president, is well known throughout the west in connection with creamery interests. The name was a synonym of progressive activity along that line in San Francisco and is such in Omaha, where Charles and Louis Kirschbraun now make their homes. Here they are carrying on an extensive business as a dealer in creamery products, poultry and eggs.
Louis and Charles Kirschbraun were born in Prussia, Germany, sons of Esidore and Pauline Kirschbraun, who came to America in 1863 and settled in Nevada, becoming pioneer residents of Virginia City, where the father engaged in general merchandising. In 1890 he removed to San Francisco, where he retired from active business and there passed away in 1908, at the age of eighty- six years. His wife died in 1902, when sixty-six years of age. In the family there were three sons and a daughter: Louis, engaged in the creamery business; Hyman, of San Francisco; Mrs. Minnie Jacobs ; and Charles.
In his early life Charles Kirschbraun attended the schools of Virginia City, Nevada, and later became a student in the San Francisco Business College. He then became connected with the egg and the butter business at San Francisco, entering into active association with the enterprise which had been established by his father a number of years before. In 1881 he came to Omaha and in company with his brother Louis has since carried on their operations as a dealer in creamery products, poultry and eggs. In the intervening period they have developed one of the largest creameries in Nebraska, producing eight million pounds of butter annually. Poultry and eggs are also handled extensively, the trade in that line being proportionate to the butter output. This is the largest individually owned creamery in the west. The business was originally established by their father in San Francisco and afterward a similar enterprise was founded in Omaha. The firm name has never been changed since the father's death and the business, which is a corporation, is conducted by the Kirschbraun brothers. Their interests are conducted along thoroughly scientific and sanitary lines and in the manufacture of butter the most modern machinery is employed. No expense has been spared
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by the management to secure every added improvement in the manufacture of butter and the equipment for handling eggs is also thoroughly modern. In the various departments only experienced help is employed and there is a clerical force of more than forty for carrying on the immense business and correspondence of the firm. The building which they occupy is a four-story and basement struc- ture and the undertaking is one of the most important business concerns of the city. They have outgrown their present quarters and intend to build a new creamery and cold storage plant on land recently bought on the corner of Ninth and Dodge streets. The building will be four or five stories in height with walls to carry additional stories later, will be constructed of steel and concrete fireproof and cost, equipped, considerably over two hundred thousand dollars. It will have a frontage of one hundred and thirty-two feet on Ninth street and seventy- two feet on Dodge street. The creamery will have a capacity of over fifteen million pounds of butter annually and the cold storage department will take care of about one hundred carloads of eggs and butter. In connection with the new creamery Kirschbraun & Sons bring to this city the Collis Products Company, which will build two stories sixty by one hundred and thirty-two feet adjoining on the west to make buttermilk powder from buttermilk secured from the creamery. This company will invest from seventy-five thousand to one hundred thousand dollars and will give employment to twenty-five people.
On the 10th of July, 1883, in Omaha, Mr. Charles Kirschbraun was married to Miss Hulda Lowenstein and they have become parents of two children, Edwin and Verna, born in 1890 and 1896 respectively. Both are high school graduates and the son, who attended the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, is now in business with his father, while the daughter is a student in the Lake Forest Academy.
Mr. Kirschbraun belongs to the B'nai B'rith. He is a man of marked business enterprise and keen discernment. His sagacity enables him to recognize every opportunity of the trade and he has worked along progressive lines in the up- building of a business which is indeed a valued feature in the commercial circles of Omaha. Someone has said an institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man. It is certainly true that the creamery, poultry and egg business conducted by the firm of Kirschbraun & Sons is the indication of the progressive spirit and business capacity of the brothers who are at the head.
JAMES J. FITZGERALD.
James J. Fitzgerald, secretary of the Commercial Savings & Loan Association of South Omaha, where he is also well known through his operations in the field of real estate, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, August 29, 1869. His father, William Fitzgerald, who was also born on the Emerald isle, spent his entire life in his native land where he successfully followed farming. He was also quite active in local politics and served for many years as county commis- sioner-a position of honor in that land. He died in 1896, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Anna Meagher. always remained a resident of Ireland and by her marriage she became the mother of ten children, six sons and four daughters. She survived her husband until 1897 and was eighty-two years of age at the time of her demise.
James J. Fitzgerald was the ninth child and youngest son in the family. He pursued his education in the national schools of Ireland and spent his youthful days upon the home farm to the age of seventeen years, when he started out to earn his own livelihood. He came to the United States in 1886 and was first em- ployed in brick and tile works at Lincoln, Nebraska. He afterward became foreman of construction on a railroad being built between Danville, Illinois, and Bay City, Michigan, and for a year devoted his attention to that line of work.
JAMES J. FITZGERALD
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Returning to Omaha, he entered the employ of the Omaha Packing Company on the 3d of April, 1889, being given charge of the shipping department. There he remained until February, 1898, when he resigned his position and became secretary of the South Omaha Loan & Building Association, in which capacity he has since remained, covering a period of almost twenty years. The business has since changed its name to the Commercial Savings & Loan Association but Mr. Fitzger- ald remains as the secretary. He also conducts what is known in business circles as the James J. Fitzgerald & Company Insurance Agency, with offices at No. 4931 South Twenty-fourth street, and he also handles considerable real estate. His posi- tion as one of the prosperous citizens of South Omaha is in marked contrast to his condition at the time of his arrival in America, when his cash capital consisted of but thirty dollars. The change has come as the result of indefatigable effort and fidelity to every trust reposed in him, and his life record proves what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do.
On the 12th of February, 1901, Mr. Fitzgerald was married in South Omaha to Miss Katie O'Rourke, a native of Iowa and a daughter of the late David and Katherine O'Rourke, who were early settlers of Iowa and afterward of Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald became parents of four children but lost their first born, Marie Cecelia. The others are: James J., born in South Omaha in 1903; Agnes Claire ; and William Francis.
In politics Mr. Fitzgerald is a democrat and has filled a number of local offices, his first position being that of tax commissioner of South Omaha. In 1909 he was appointed by Governor Shallenberger as fire and police commissioner of South Omaha. He was made chairman of the board and filled that office for a year. He has always been interested in civic and political matters and he is also active as a member of the Commercial Club of Omaha. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of the Maccabees, the Happy Hollow Club and the Seymour Lake Country Club. His life record makes him a worthy exemplar of that adaptability which is characteristic of the Irish race. Their ready recognition and utilization of opportunities have enabled them to become an effective force in business and political circles everywhere and in these regards Mr. Fitzgerald has made his personality felt.
CHARLES D. CUMMINS.
Charles D. Cummins, founder of the Omaha Realty Company and the C & C Bonded Collection Company, has thus become an active factor in real estate and financial circles of the city. He was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, September 17, 1858. His father, John C. Cummins, a native of Kentucky, was a representa- tive of an old family of that state of Scotch and German descent, his ancestors having come to America prior to the Revolutionary war, and in Kentucky they made early settlement. For many years John C. Cummins was a dry goods mer- chant of Iowa and of Nebraska. He was a pioneer of this state, traveling by boat by way of St. Louis and becoming a resident of Plattsmouth in the early '50s. He was also one of the early lumbermen of the state and was quite successful in the conduct of his business. On coming to this state he secured three hurdred and twenty acres of land, for which he paid three hundred dollars and a gold watch. This property is today worth two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. He made his home, however, in Plattsmouth. Mr. Cummins was a man of sterling character and undisputed honesty. He never swerved from any course that he believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen and he was ever a most kind and indulgent husband and father, displaying the utmost devotion to his family. Everywhere he was spoken of as a man of lovable character, so that his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to all who knew him. He attained
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high rank and prominence in Masonic circles and did much to further the interests of the order in Nebraska. In politics he was a stanch democrat and for four years he served as treasurer of Cass county. Ile continued his residence in Plattsmouth until his death, which occurred in October, 1899, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Salina Colvin, was a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and of Scotch and Welsh extraction. She became the mother of six children, of whom Charles D. is the eldest, and four of the number are yet living.
Charles D. Cummins pursued his early education in district schools, afterward spent four years in a private school and also attended the Bryant & Stratton Busi- ness College at St. Joseph, Missouri. On attaining his majority he started out in business independently as a coal dealer of Plattsmouth and met with fair success in the undertaking. In 1887 he joined his father in the lumber business under the firm name of J. C. Cummins & Son and continued actively in that field until 1900, when he disposed of his interests at Plattsmouth and removed to Lawton, Okla- homa, where he established a lumberyard and also conducted a furniture and undertaking business until 1904. He then disposed of his interests in the south- west and returned to Plattsmouth but in 1907 removed to Sedgwick county, Colorado, where he took up the occupation of farming, but that undertaking proved financially disastrous. In October, 1912, he returned to Nebraska and established his present business in Omaha. Here he turned the tide of his fortunes and in the intervening years has established a large and growing business in collec- tions as well as in the real estate field and in the former line represents many of the leading firms and corporations of this city.
On the 17th of September, 1884, in Plattsmouth, Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Ida Eliza Smith, a native of this state and a representative of an old Vermont family, her parents being Solon C. and Lucy Ann (Bigelow) Smith. The former is now deceased. By her marriage Mrs. Cummins became the mother of five children, although two died in infancy. Those still living are Dean, Murriel and Bess, all born in Plattsmouth, and the son is now junior partner in the firms founded by his father.
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