Ben B. McNair
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| Biography | 809 |
Salt Lake City, born May 26, 1890; and Helen Elizabeth, Mrs. Jack Lane, of Washington, D. C., born April 26, 1895. One child died in infancy. Mary Coalter McAllister died June 9, 1922.
During the Civil War, William McAllister served nine months in Company B, Second Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry, and also ten months in 1864-65 in Indian Warfare between Fort Omaha and Fort Kearney. He was a member of the First Military organization at the University of Nebraska, and rendered valuable service in helping to develop Platte County and the State of Nebraska.
He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Grand Army of the Republic, and a Republican. He was Honorary president of Volunteer Firemen, in Columbus, and was on the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Columbus.
Mary Elizabeth McCabe was born in Chapman, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Michael Edward and Laura Shields McCabe. Her maternal grandfather was David S. Shields, a realtor in Central City, Nebraska. Michael McCabe was born September 1, 1858, in Joliet, Illinois, and died May 25, 1926. He was a section foreman on the Union Pacific Railroad. Laura Shields McCabe was born November 12, 1871, in Beattystown, New Jersey, and lives in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. M. E. McCabe established their home in Columbus in 1901.
Mary Elizabeth McCabe had one brother and four sisters. The brother, Michael, is deceased. Lillian died in Columbus November 4, 1917. Amy G., Mrs. Floyd Willis, was graduated from the Columbus High School; Mr. Willis is deceased, and she is a teacher in the Chicago schools. Ola Sue, Mrs. F. J. Milloy, a graduate of Columbus High School and a graduate nurse, lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where her husband, a Doctor of Medicine, is practicing. Sereta C., Mrs. Robert B. Byllesby, a graduate of Columbus High School, lives at Clinton, Iowa, where her husband is in the dry goods business.
Mary E. McCabe was graduated from St. Francis Academy in June, 1907. From then until 1926, she was chief operator and manager of the telephone company in Columbus. In 1926, she became the supervisor of the Illinois Bell Telephone Company with offices in Chicago, Illinois.
She is a member of the Pioneers of America, and is a Republican. Her hobbies are golf and lectures, and she is owner of a valuable collection of antique porcelains.
She is a member of the St. Phillip Neri Parish Church in Chicago. In Columbus, she was a member of St. Bonaventure's Church.
Clarence Newton McElfresh, a former Columbus attorney, was born December 9, 1881, in Holt, West Virginia, and died January 12, 1942, in Columbus, Nebraska. His parents were natives of Virginia. His father, Joseph McElfresh, was born January 17, 1854, and died in 1928. His mother, Eliza Bartlett McElfresh, was born October 19, 1854, and died in 1885. Clarence had four brothers: Waitman W. and Hearl J., of Fairmont, West Virginia; Frank L. of Fremont, Nebraska; and Fred B., of Houston, Texas.
Clarence N. McElfresh received his formal education in the schools of Fairmont and Morgantown, West Virginia, and was graduated from the State Normal School at Fairmont. In 1903, he was graduated from the law department of West Virginia University at Morgantown with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Shortly after, he came to Columbus, Nebraska, where he taught in the Murray School. He next entered the law office of Camden J. Garlow, to study for the Nebraska bar examination. While there, he was admitted to the Nebraska bar.
In 1907, he went to Omaha, where he practiced law for three years, returning to Columbus in 1910. Shortly after, he was elected county attorney on the Republican ticket. In 1914, on the completion of his term in county office, he opened a law office in Columbus. He was outstanding in his law work, and members of the bar had a high regard for his ability.
On June 19, 1909, Clarence N. McElfresh was married to Miss Ethel Berle Elliott, the daughter of Hanson Smiley and Helen Lightner Elliott. They had one daughter and one son. Helen Elizabeth is the wife of Doctor Don Campbell, of Rochester, Minnesota. Hanson Elliott is associated with the Consumers Public Power District and lives in Columbus, Nebraska; his wife, Emma, is the daughter of Charles E. and Myra Hume Pearse of Columbus.
When the Loup River Public Power District was created, Clarence McElfresh was appointed as one of its attorneys. He served in that capacity for ten years.
Mr. McElfresh was a member of the Elks (B.P.O.E.), the Wayside Country Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and for many years served as a director of the Y. M. C. A. He also held membership in all branches of the Masonic Order, including the Shrine.
The McElfresh family are Presbyterians and attend the Federated Church in Columbus.
Hanson Elliott McElfresh was born October 1, 1914, in Columbus. His father, Clarence N. McElfresh, was born December 9, 1881, at Fairmont, West Virginia, and died January 12, 1942. His mother, Ethel B. Elliott McElfresh, was the daughter of Hanson Smiley and Helen Lightner Elliott. Hanson was graduated from Kramer High School and attended Doane College at Crete, Nebraska.
He was a salesman for the Harding Company, of Omaha, and the Columbus Baking Company, in Columbus. He is a statistical clerk at Consumers General Office in Columbus.
Hanson McElfresh was married to Emma P. Pearse, the daughter of Charles and Myra H. Pearse. They had three sons: Charles Elliott, born March 31, 1938; Edward Clarence, born January 5, 1942; and James Bailie, born October 11, 1945.
Mr. McElfresh has memberships in the Republican
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Party; the Izaak Walton League, of which he was president in 1948, and a director 1945-49; the Columbus Fire Department; Lebanon Lodge 323, A.F.&A.M.; Orient Chapter 18, Royal Arch Masons Gebal Council 12; Royal and Select Masters; Gethsemane Commandery 21, Knights Templar.
Mr. and Mrs. Hanson Elliott McElfresh are members of the Federated Church in Columbus.
R. R. McGee, the son of James and Martha C. Pate McGee, was born in Cross Plains, Indiana, in 1882. His father, a merchant, was born in Cross Plains in 1857. His mother was also born in Cross Plains in 1857.
R. R. McGee was enrolled in grade and high school in Orleans, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska, Peru State Teachers College, and Columbia University in New York. He received his Bachelor of Education degree at the Peru State Teachers' College, and his Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts degrees at the University of Nebraska.
Mr. McGee came to Columbus in 1922. He has served as superintendent of schools at Springfield, Syracuse, David City, and Columbus, Nebraska, and is now retired.
In 1915, at Gretna, Nebraska, R. R. McGee was married to Clara E. Heacock, the daughter of A. S. and Mrs. Heacock. Mr. Heacock was a farmer near Gretna.
R. R. and Clara McGee had two children: Robert R., born in David City, in 1922; and Martha Elizabeth, born in David City in 1918.
Robert R. McGee attended the Columbus schools and Doane College. During World War II, he served four years in the United States Army as a laboratory technician. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands and was in charge of a Mobile Hospital on Mindanao. In 1949, Robert R. was graduated from the Medical School of the University of Nebraska, from which he received his Doctor of Medicine degree. Robert is married to Mary Ann Smith, and has one child, Robin Ann.
Martha Elizabeth McGee attended the Columbus schools, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music, at the University of Nebraska, and was graduated from the Julliard Conservatory of Music, in New York. She is known for her trained and exceptionally beautiful voice. During the war, she taught music in high schools. Martha Elizabeth is married to Alexis Ruzacff. They have one daughter, Tania Elizabeth.
Doctor Patrick H. McGowan, son of James J. and Margaret Boyle McGowan, was born March 3, 1890, at Ulysses, Nebraska. The McGowan Family later moved to Greeley, Nebraska, and Patrick attended the schools near his home.
He was graduated from the Creighton Preparatory School in 1913, and the Creighton University College of Medicine in 1920, when he received his Doctor of Medicine degree. At Creighton he was affiliated with the Phi Rho Sigma Fraternity.
He interned at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Omaha, from 1920-1921. From 1921 to 1934, he practiced at Schuyler, Nebraska.
Doctor McGowan came to Columbus in the spring of 1934, and opened an office in the Central National Bank Building, where he practiced until the early 1940's. At that time, he took the Reeder law office, on Twenty-sixth Avenue, later removing his office to the Scott Building.
On October 1, 1925, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Doctor Patrick H. McGowan was married to Marguerite Costello, of Schuyler, Nebraska. Doctor and Mrs. McGowan had three children: Margaret Jean was graduated from Kramer High School, and attended Duchesne College in Omaha for a year, and did secretarial work in Omaha.
On December 30, 1946, Margaret Jean McGowan was married to Joseph William Speicher, the son of John M. and Gertrude Herrod Speicher. They have one son, Joseph William, Jr.
Patrick McGowan, Jr., was graduated from St. Bonaventure's High School. He has served in the United States Navy in the Navy program since World War II. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1948, he entered the College of Medicine at the University of Nebraska. Shelia Marie was born in 1936. She attended St. Bonaventure's School.
During World War I, Doctor P. H. McGowan served in the United States Army, in the Three Hundred Fifty-fifth Infantry Company E. Student Training Corps, and was discharged on December 21, 1918.
He is on the staff at the St. Mary's Hospital. He is a member of the Platte County and Nebraska State Medical Associations and the American Medical Association.
The doctor's hobbies are fishing, hunting and golf. He is a member of the Lions, the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
James Henry McKown, son of John Brice and Margaret Carder McKown, was born April 30, 1883, at Emerson, Iowa. His father was born August 20, 1842, at Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and his mother was born on July 25, 1847, in Athens County, Ohio, James H. had twelve brothers and sisters: Ronald Kellog; Edwin Brice; Fannie Myrtle; Cora Maria; Arthur Clyde; Lily Blanch; Roy Ancil; Charles Merle; Ila Jacquiline; Ada Grace; Frank Horton; and Flora Harriet.
James Henry was graduated from high school at Emerson, Iowa, after which he traveled extensively in the west, taking a job wherever one was to be found, and then moving on to another location. In the northwest, he worked as a lumber-jack, and in California, he worked in the grape vineyards. He continued his roving until he finally worked his way back to Iowa, and located at Malvern.
At Malvern, he formed a partnership with R. W. Mansfield, operating a furniture store and funeral parlor, from 1913 until 1925.
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In 1925, he came to Columbus. His first funeral home was established here at 2711 Thirteenth Street. He remained at that location for ten years, and then bought a residence property at 2822 Thirteenth Street, which he remodeled to make a combination funeral home and residence. He operated there until the time of his death, on December 20, 1938.
James Henry McKown was married to Emma E. Hambsch, daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth Oestreicher Hambsch. Mr. Hambsch, born April 13, 1839, came to America in 1854. Mrs. Hambsch was also born in Baden, Germany, on August 1, 1843. Emma Hambsch McKown had five brothers and two sisters: Charles, Louis, Fred, Amos, Rosa, Mary, and Benjamin Hambsch.
Mr. and Mrs. McKown had three children: James, Joseph, and Thomas.
Mr. McKown was a member of the Knights of Columbus, in which he held the office of grand knight; the Eagles Lodge, the Woodmen of the World, and the Lions Club. He was also an assistant scout master and a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
The McKowns were members of the St. Bonaventure Church, where Mr. McKown was a member of the Holy Name Society and served as trustee of the church.
James McKown, son of James Henry and Emma Hambsch McKown, was born April 1, 1921, in Malvern, Iowa. He came to Columbus with his parents when he was four years old.
He attended the St. Bonaventure Grade School and the St. Bonaventure High School, from which he was graduated in 1940. He then attended the University of Nebraska for one semester and completed a course in aeronautical mechanics at the Lincoln Airplane and Flying School.
He was then employed by the Vultee Aircraft Company, in Long Beach, California. He transferred to the Glen L. Martin Aircraft Company in Omaha, where he worked until his enlistment in the Army Air Corps, in June, 1943. In the Air Corps, James served as a hydraulic specialist with the ground crew. He was discharged on February 26, 1946.
On May 22, 1945, James McKown married Wilma Hoshor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hoshor, of Columbus. They made their home in Nashville, Tennessee, until James completed his army career, and then returned to Columbus to live.
In Columbus, James was employed at the Central Electric and Gas Company for two and a half years. He resigned to enter into business with his brother, Joseph, when they reopened the McKown Funeral Home, on January 20, 1949.
James is a member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, and is a trustee of the St. Bonaventure Church.
Joseph H. McKown, son of James Henry and Emma Hambsch McKown, was born October 30, 1925, in Columbus, where he spent his early childhood. He attended the St. Bonaventure Grade School and was graduated from the St. Bonaventure High School in May, 1943.
Following his graduation, he worked for the Safeway Stores, until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in December, 1943. In the Air Corps, he was assigned to aerial gunnery school, after which he flew with the Eighth Air Force, which was based in England. Upon completion of the European war, Joseph returned to the United States. He received his discharge November 6, 1945.
He then enrolled in the University of Nebraska, where he spent two semesters in preparation for a mortician's course. For the next two years, he attended the Wayne State Teachers College, at Wayne, Nebraska, and the following nine months at the College of Mortuary Science, in St. Louis, from which he was graduated with honors, on December 17, 1948.
On May 14, 1946, Joseph McKown married Geraldine Coffin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Coffin, who reside on a farm southeast of Columbus.
Joseph McKown is in the undertaking business with his brother, James. They reopened their father's funeral parlor, the McKown Funeral Home, on January 20, 1949.
John C. McMahon was born in 1843 in County Clare, Ireland. In 1860, he immigrated to the United States, and was six years in the employ of the New York and Erie Railway at Dunkirk, New York, and two years at Jersey City.
In 1867, John C. McMahon was married at Fall River, Massachusetts, to Miss Mary Griffin, who was also a native of County Clare, and with whom-he went to school. They had six children: Margaret E., Mary A., Catherine Lyda, E. Nannie, and Mark Thomas.
After his marriage, Mr. McMahon went to Ireland for about a year. On his return to the States, he spent a few months in New York City, and in June, 1871, moved to Columbus, Nebraska. For several years he engaged in merchandising in Columbus.
In November, 1877, he was appointed a policeman. A year and a half later, he was appointed Chief of Police, which office he held until November 15, 1881. Politically, he was a Democrat.
John C. McMahon was the grandfather of Mark L. McMahon, Jr., and the great-grandfather of Mark Thomas III and J. Charles McMahon III.
Doctor Mark Thomas McMahon, the son of John C. and Mary Griffin McMahon, was born in Columbus, Nebraska, on October. 24, 1878, and died September 29, 1938.
Mark was graduated from the Columbus High School following which he attended Loyola University in Chicago, and Rush College. Graduating from Rush Dental School in 1903 with the degree of doctor of Dental Surgery, he then came to Columbus where he opened
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dental offices. He practiced dentistry there for thirty-five years, 1903-1938.
In October of 1907, Doctor McMahon was married to Miss Letitia Speice, the daughter of Charles A. and Katharina Becher Speice.
They had three sons, Mark Thomas, Jr., John Charles, and Irving Speice, who died May 12, 1921.
Doctor McMahon was an ardent lover of sports, particularly baseball, and for several years was a member of Columbus teams. He was a sportsman of the water, spending much of his time with rod and gun, hunting and fishing.
He held memberships in several organizations including the American Dental Association, the Nebraska State Dental Association, and was one of the .charter members of the Platte County Dental Association, the name of which was later changed to the Columbus Dental Association.
He was a member of the B.P.O.E. (Elks), and was the exalted ruler at the time the Elks home was bought from Doctor C. D. Evans, Sr. Doctor McMahon was a charter member of the Columbus Council 938, Knights of Columbus, and a member of St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church. Politically he was affiliated with the Democratic party.
John Charles McMahon, the son of Doctor Mark Thomas and Letitia Speice McMahon, was born in Columbus, Nebraska, August 9, 1910.
He attended the Columbus schools, and was graduated from Kramer High School in 1929. He enrolled at Boyles College in Omaha where he took a business course.
Following this he worked at the Union Pacific headquarters in Omaha for one and a half years. In 1930, he entered the newspaper field and became local news reporter and society editor for the Columbus Daily Telegram. He was a member of the Telegram staff for ten years.
In 1940 when the Selective Service Board was formed, its members cognizant of the ability and accuracy that characterized him in every work that he undertook to do, asked the Telegram company to release him so that he might become chief clerk to the board. In order to render direct aid in the war effort he complied with their request and took over the work on October 16, 1940.
His hobbies were music and bridge. He studied piano in Columbus and was a pianist of ability. In the early 1930's he spent a few weeks in New York each. summer where he studied bridge. His instructor there was Ely Culbertson. After finishing the course he became an outstanding player and an able instructor and held regular classes in contract bridge in Columbus.
He was a member of the B.P.O.E. (Elks) and from 1938 to 1942 was secretary of the Columbus lodge.
He was a member of St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church. He died September 18, 1943.
Mark Thomas McMahon, Jr., the son of Doctor Mark Thomas and Letitia Speice McMahon, was born in Columbus, Nebraska, in January, 1909.
He received his early formal education in the Columbus schools and was graduated from Kramer High School. Following his graduation he attended the University of Nebraska where he studied business administration. He is a certified public accountant.
For the past several years his work has been in the business field. He has lived at Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; and at Dayton, Ohio.
In 1934, Mark T. McMahon was married to Miss Alva Viergutz of Columbus. They have two sons, Mark Thomas III, born in August, 1935, Charles, born in October, 1937, and a daughter, Ann.
Alva Viergutz McMahon was graduated from Kramer High School and attended Lindenwood, at St. Charles, Missouri, and the University of Nebraska. She is a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
Mark Thomas McMahon, Jr., is a member of the Catholic church.
Ben B. McNair |
Ben B. McNair, vice-president of the Columbus Bank, was born July 17, 1898, in Clarke County, Iowa. He is the son of Peter and Mary Leonard McNair. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, died in Clarke County in 1901. His mother was born in Iowa and died in Clarke County in 1905. Ben McNair attended the Iowa schools and was graduated from high school there. In Nebraska, he was enrolled at a business college in Omaha, where he studied banking.
In 1918, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving one year with the A.E.F. in France. He was discharged March 20, 1919.
From 1920 to 1935, he worked in banks in Keystone, Kimball, St. Libory and Chappell, Nebraska. In 1935, he came to Columbus and entered the Columbus Bank.
On June 28, 1921, he was married at Ogallala, Nebraska, to Miss Ellen Kelly, the daughter of Daniel and Ellen Cavanaugh Kelly, natives of Ireland. Daniel Kelly was a rancher near Ogallala. Mrs. McNair had two brothers and one sister: Michael and John Kelly and Mary Kelly Baleman. All three live on ranches. The brothers are engaged in farming and ranching near Ogallala.
Ben B. and Ellen Kelly McNair had three daughters and one son, Ellen Marie, Elaine, Jean and Daniel. Ellen Marie was graduated from St. Bonaventure's High School and attended Duchesne College; she is married to LaVern Nispel of Omaha. Elaine
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was graduated from Kramer High School and attended Duchesne College; she was married to James Shea of Evanston, Illinois. They have one daughter, Patricia Jean Shea, born June 16, 1947. M. Jean, a graduate of St. Bonaventure's High School, attended Duchesne College, and was employed at the Columbus Bank. She was married to James Olivetti June 28, 1949. Daniel B., born November 16, 1930, was graduated from St. Bonaventure's High School in 1948 and attended St. Ambrose College at Davenport, Iowa.
Ben B. McNair served as Finance Officer of the American Legion, and during World War II devoted much of his time to the War Loan Committee. He is a member and a former Grand Knight of the local Knights of Columbus and State Treasurer of the regional Knights of Columbus, and is a member of the Izaak Walton League, the B.P.O.E. (Elks), the F.O.E. (Eagles), the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the Wayside Country Club, and is a Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben B, McNair are members of St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church.
John Charles McPhillips was born May 8, 1908, at Lindsay, Nebraska. His parents were John P. and Dina Danahy McPhillips. His father, a native of Wisconsin, was born April 20, 1864, and farmed in Wisconsin until 1881 when he came to Omaha from Darlington. He later moved from Omaha to Platte County, homesteading in Joliet Township. He remained on the same farm until his death September 17, 1943. Dina Danahy McPhillips was born in Cork, Ireland, January 29, 1874.
John C. McPhillips had two brothers and four sisters: Elizabeth, Mrs. John Noonan; Cecelia, Mrs. Raymond Housley; Theresa, Evelyn, Pascal, and Joseph.
From childhood, John C. McPhillips has lived on the farm which his father homesteaded. On September 7, 1943, he was married to Miss Dolores Olmer, the daughter of John and Stella Eisemenger Olmer, in Humphrey, Nebraska. John and Dolores McPhillips had twin sons: John Charles and James Pascal, born August 30, 1944.
Mr. McPhillips is a member of St. John's Catholic Church. He has been a member of the District 42 School Board for a number of years, and is a Democrat.
Thomas McTaggert was born November 23, 1853, in Newry, Ireland, and in 1873 came to Columbus, Nebraska. He was the youngest of six children. A brother, Barney, and a sister, Mrs. John McCauley, also came to Columbus.
For several years, Thomas McTaggert was employed as an engineer on the Union Pacific Railroad. Following this, he was chief of police for eleven years in Columbus. During this time R. H. Henry and J. E. North were the Columbus mayors.
Tom McTaggert was the first street car operator in Columbus, and for thirty years was the custodian and engineer for the Columbus High School, and later the Kramer High School buildings. He is remembered by all who graduated during that time.
On April 23, 1879, he was married to Miss Mary Manley in Columbus, with the Reverend Father James M. Ryan officiating. Mrs. McTaggert was born in Pennsylvania on March 5, 1860. She is the daughter of Patrick Manley, who came to Nebraska in 1873 and located on a farm near Shell Creek. His family followed in 1875. Patrick Manley died when still a young man, and is buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery at Platte Center, Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. McTaggert had fourteen children, five of whom are deceased. The others were: Margaret McTaggert Schroeder, Mary McTaggert McCaffrey, Anna McTaggert Washburn, Thomas F., Frances McTaggert Fitzgerald, Eileen, Paul, Doctor William B. McTaggert, and Madeline McTaggert Fritz.
Lyman Brome Mead |
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McTaggert celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1929, and their sixtieth wedding anniversary in 1939.
Mr. McTaggert, a Democrat, was a member of the Columbus Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church. He is deceased.
Mrs. McTaggert died in December, 1948.
Lyman Brome Mead, manager of the Mead Lumber and Coal Company, was born December 25, 1897, in Exeter, Nebraska. He is the son of Martin L. and Theodosia A. Brome Mead. Martin L. Mead was born November 12, 1866, in Indiana and settled in Ashland, Nebraska. In 1910 he started the first Mead Lumber Yard there in partnership with Dan Sullivan of Lincoln. In 1918, he acquired all the Ashland lumber interests and continued in the business until his death January 27, 1927. Theodosia Mead was born at St. Louis, Missouri, April 13, 1868.
Lyman Mead has two brothers. Emerson, married to Lila Elam, lives at Fort Morgan, Colorado. Wilbur, married to June Erickson, lives at Cheyenne, Wyoming. Both are associated with the Mead Lumber Company which comprises five lumber yards.
Lyman Mead began his early education in the Bassett, Nebraska, grade schools. He completed his
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