Category: Biographies

These are the stories of people from North Omaha.

#PreserveThisPlace, 19th century, 20th century, Apartments, Architects, Biographies, Buildings, Commercial vernacular, Demolished buildings, Economics, Historic houses, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Mansions and estates, Neighborhoods, Neoclassical or Classical Revival, Normal house history, North Omaha, Official Omaha Landmark, Styles, Wealth, White people, Wrecked buildingsLeave a comment
This is a 1934 Latenser family dinner at the Round House. Included are patriarch John, matriach Anna, and children John Jr (1888–1978), Frank, Josephine C. Latenser Kirkland (1899–1972) and George W Latenser (1903–1940). Pic courtesy of the Durham Museum.

A Biography of John Latenser, Sr.

Adam Fletcher Sasse

A massively important architect in Omaha for decades, John Latenser Sr’s designs are still especially important in North Omaha. This is a story of his life and work. Continue reading A Biography of John Latenser, Sr.

19th century, 20th century, Activism, African Methodist Episcopal, Biographies, Black churches, Black culture, Black History, Black ministers, Civil Rights Movement, Culture, Enslaved Person, Ministers, Near North SideLeave a comment
This is a biography of Rev. W.T. Osborne (1855-1932) of St. John's AME Church in Omaha, Nebraska by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.

A Biography of Rev. W.T. Osborne

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Rev. W.T. Osborne (1855-1932) was an influential leader in Omaha’s African American community. Over five decades, his ministry in the AME church spanned several states and touched thousands of lives. Continue reading A Biography of Rev. W.T. Osborne

20th century, Biographies, Black businesses, Demolished buildings, Harlem Renaissance, Hotels, Industry, Manufacturing, North 16th Street, North Downtown, OwnershipLeave a comment
This was an ad for the Kaffir Chemical Company at 817 North 16th St. in Omaha.

A History of the Kaffir Chemical Laboratories in North Omaha

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Kaffir Chemical Laboratories was founded in 1920 by African American entrepreneurs in North Omaha. Led by Madree Penn, it became a significant Black-owned business producing various products until its decline by 1925, representing a powerful chapter in Omaha’s Black business history. Continue reading A History of the Kaffir Chemical Laboratories in North Omaha

19th century, Biographies, Black History, Guest author, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Lost history, lynching, Poverty3 Comments
This is a jar of soil collected in honor of George Smith, who was lynched in Omaha in 1891. Image courtesy of the Omaha World-Herald.

A Biography of George Smith by Alan Welsh

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Adam’s Notes: Alan Welsh privately researched and wrote the following article and shared it with me so we can enrich, deepen, and otherwise learn more about the actual life of the first recorded lynching victim in Omaha. Shortly after the … Continue reading A Biography of George Smith by Alan Welsh

20th century, 21st century, Activism, Biographies, Black activists, Black attorneys, Black politicians, Integration, Law, North Omaha, PoliticsLeave a comment

A Biography of Omaha’s Fred Conley

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a political history about Fred Conley, Omaha’s first African American city council member, who has bridged civil rights activism and political leadership in Omaha for more than 50 years. Continue reading A Biography of Omaha’s Fred Conley

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Biographies, Black athletes, Black people, Sports2 Comments
This is a 1964 parade celebrating North Omaha legend Bob Gibson after the start of his professional career.

A History of Black Athletes, Black Teams, and Segregated Sports in Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Omaha’s sports history is significantly shaped by African American athletes who broke barriers across various disciplines. From early baseball pioneers to basketball legends and much more, these athletes carved paths of excellence, inspiring future generations and establishing a rich legacy in sports. Continue reading A History of Black Athletes, Black Teams, and Segregated Sports in Omaha

Activism, Art, Biographies, Black businesses, Black culture, Black History, Black organizations, Black people, Black performers, Black spaces and places, Black writers, business, Clubs, Culture, Economics, Harlem Renaissance, Jazz, music, nightlife, Social clubs2 Comments
The Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com

The Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of the Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha, including the art, literature, and music that emerged from that period. Continue reading The Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha

20th century, African Methodist Episcopal, American Legion, American Legion Post #30, Americans, Biographies, Black doctors, Culture, doctors, Forest Lawn burial, SegregationLeave a comment
Dr. Wesley B. Jones (1891-1959) was a medical doctor in North Omaha, Nebraska, for 38 years. A recognized community leader, he was involved in the civil rights movement and other efforts to empower the city's African American community.

A Biography of Dr. Wesley Jones

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a biography of Dr. Wesley B. Jones (1891-1959), a medical doctor practiciin North Omaha, Nebraska, for 38 years. A recognized community leader, he was involved in the civil rights movement and other efforts to empower the city’s African American community. Continue reading A Biography of Dr. Wesley Jones

19th century, Activism, Bar or Tavern, Biographies, Black barber, Black businesses, Black businesspeople, Black spaces and places, Downtown, nightlife, Ownership, Politics, Prospect Hill burial, SegregationLeave a comment
Barber shop, 24th and Ames, North Omaha, Nebraska

A Biography of Richard D. Curry

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Many people live unremarkable lives filled with sameness and consistency, while some break the mold. Given the racist nature of Omaha, in the city’s early Black community, there are not a lot of noted Black people. This is the story … Continue reading A Biography of Richard D. Curry

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Biographies, Cuming Street, doctors, Forest Lawn burial, Historic houses, historic preservation, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, North 40th Street, Official Omaha Landmark, Queen Anne, Railroads, real estate, Walnut Hill, Wealth6 Comments
The Mercer Mansion in North Omaha, Nebraska.

A History of the Mercer Mansion in North Omaha

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a history of North Omaha’s Mercer Mansion, built in 1885 at N. 40th and Cuming Street and still standing today! Continue reading A History of the Mercer Mansion in North Omaha

Biographies, Black businesses, Black businesspeople, Black History, Black hotels, Forest Lawn burial, Near North Side, North 24th Street, Religion, Senior citizens1 Comment
This article, entitled "Love, Freeheart, Sunshine and Peace, It's Wonderful," was a mocking piece in the Omaha World-Herald on February 27, 1944.

A Biography of Perfect Peace

Adam Fletcher Sasse

North Omaha has been home to all kinds of people. Some were entrepreneurs, some were devoutly religious, and every now and then some were a little bit of one and the other. This is a biography of one such woman … Continue reading A Biography of Perfect Peace

20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Biographies, Forest Lawn burial, historic preservation, Kountze Place, Mansions and estates, Official Omaha Landmark, Queen Anne, Wealth, White people, Wirt Street2 Comments
This is a comparison of the George F. Shepard House at 1802 Wirt Street in the Kountze Place neighborhood of North Omaha, Nebraska, in 1907 and in 2015. 1907 image courtesy of Sam Swanson.

A History of the George F. Shepard House

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Fancy homes used to line certain streets throughout North Omaha, and one of those was Wirt Street. Business leaders, influential socialites, and high-minded politicians lived up and down the block, building the neighborhood along the way. This is a history … Continue reading A History of the George F. Shepard House

20th century, Activism, Biographies, Black churches, Black leader, Black ministers, Black spaces and places, Civil Rights Movement, Demolished buildings, historic preservation, Near North Side, Presbyterian, Religion, SegregationLeave a comment
Seward Street Presbyterian Church., Rev. Russel Taylor, 2628 Charles Street, North Omaha, Nebraska.

A Biography of Rev. Russel Taylor

Adam Fletcher Sasse

A musician, educator and minister committed to Black power, Rev. Russel Taylor was a powerful leader in North Omaha. This is his story. Continue reading A Biography of Rev. Russel Taylor

1898 Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, 19th century, 20th century, Biographies, business, doctors, History of Nebraska, Miller Park, Newspapers, Pioneer era, Politics, Racism, Railroads, real estate, Wealth, White people3 Comments
Dr. George L. Miller, North Omaha, Nebraska

A Biography of Dr. George L. Miller

Adam Fletcher Sasse

This is a biography of Dr. George L. Miller (1830-1920), a prominent businessman and controversial racist from Omaha’s history. Continue reading A Biography of Dr. George L. Miller

19th century, 20th century, 24th and Lake, American Legion, Biographies, Black dentists, Black leader, Clubs, Creighton University, doctors, Economics, Healthcare, Hospitals, Near North Side, Prince Hall Masons, SegregationLeave a comment
Doctors Make Purchase of Land, Omaha Star, June 15, 1945

Biography of Dr. Craig Morris

Adam Fletcher Sasse

One African American dentist in Omaha was a civil rights advocate, economic justice activist, and medical leader in the community. Then he simply left North Omaha. This is a biography of his life in the community. Continue reading Biography of Dr. Craig Morris

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Activism, Americans, Biographies, Black athletes, Black businesspeople, Black leader, Black people, Black politicians, Education, historic preservation, History of Nebraska, Legislators, Lost history, society3 Comments
Negro Women's Christian Association of Omaha, 933 N. 25th St., North Omaha, Nebraska

Notable African American Women in Omaha History

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Black women in Omaha have done all kinds of work as mothers, businesswomen, teachers, ministers, politicians, and in other roles to make the community great. This is a history of some of the notable African American women in North Omaha. Continue reading Notable African American Women in Omaha History

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Bemis Park, Biographies, Economics, Historic houses, historic preservation, Jody Lovallo, Listed on National Register of Historic Places, Lost history, Mansions and estates, Official Omaha Landmark, Wealth5 Comments
Zabriskie Mansion, 3524 Hawthorne Avenue, the Bemis Park Landmark Heritage District, North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of the Zabriskie Mansion in North Omaha by Jody Lovallo

Adam F.C. Fletcher

Adam’s Note: This is a guest article by Jody Lovallo in her continuing series about important women in North Omaha history. Check out the “You Might Like…” section below for links to her other articles. Enjoy “A History of the Zabriskie Mansion” by Jody Lovallo. Continue reading A History of the Zabriskie Mansion in North Omaha by Jody Lovallo

19th century, 20th century, Activism, Biographies, Black leader, Black politicians, historic preservation, Lost history, Organizations, Politics, RacismLeave a comment
Rev. Anna R. Woodbey (1855-1901), North Omaha, Nebraska

A Biography of Rev. Anna R. Woodbey

Adam F.C. Fletcher

One woman from North Omaha made it her life’s work to ban the demon’s spirit, juice, sauce, hooch, vino, and liquid courage from everywhere, all the time. This is a biography of Anna R. Woodbey. Continue reading A Biography of Rev. Anna R. Woodbey

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, 24th and Lake, Architecture, Biographies, Black businesses, Buildings, Drug store, historic preservation, Lost history, music, OPD, Pioneer era, Race riot, White flight1 Comment
Duffy Drugs, 2424 N. 24th St., North Omaha, Nebraska

A History of Duffy Drugs

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Going back to 1886, the southwest corner of 24th and Lake has been vital to North Omaha! Its first Black-owned business didn’t happen until 1968 though. Find out more in this history of Duffy Drugs! Continue reading A History of Duffy Drugs

19th century, 20th century, 21st century, Architecture, Biographies, Buildings, business, Crime, Culture, Economics, Ethnicities & Races, Food, historic preservation, Lost history, Neighborhoods, North 16th Street, Organizations, Politics, Poverty, Racism, Religion, Restaurants, Ryan Roenfeld, Segregation, society, storytelling, Wrecked buildings2 Comments
This is a map showing Omaha's Chinatown, which was "4 blocks surrounding 12th and Dodge." There are other notable sites included too.

A History of Omaha’s Chinatown by Ryan Roenfeld

Adam Fletcher Sasse

Adam’s Note: This is a special exposè on a rarely-acknowledged but vitally important part of Omaha’s history. Written by local historian Ryan Roenfeld, I believe this history of Omaha’s Chinatown is necessary, vibrant and just a beginning, albeit a deep one! Share your thoughts in the comments section! Continue reading A History of Omaha’s Chinatown by Ryan Roenfeld

19th century, 20th century, Biographies, Civic Infrastructure, Farming, Geography, Government, Houses, Lost history, Near North Side, North 16th Street, Omaha Claim Club, Pioneer era, Politics2 Comments
This is a biography of George Smith (1826-1901) of 2202 N. 16th Street in North Omaha, Nebraska.

A Biography of Omaha’s “Doc” George Smith

Adam Fletcher Sasse

The biography of Doc George Smith (1826-1901) is the story of a longtime civil servant and respected mentor among pioneer Omahans. Continue reading A Biography of Omaha’s “Doc” George Smith