Barker Family (Omaha, Neb.) [RG3295.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG3295.AM: Barker Family (Omaha, Neb.)

Business paper and records: 1857-1957
Omaha, Dodge County, Neb.: Business entrepreneurs
Size: 4.5 cu.ft.

BACKGROUND NOTE

The Barker family*, headed by patriarch the Reverend Joseph Barker, initially arrived in Omaha, Nebraska Territory, in April of 1856. The family took out claims and were involved in the “Claim Club” established by early builders of the Omaha community. After a return to their native England to settle family affairs, the family permanently settled in Omaha in 1871.

George E. Barker (July 4, 1835 – November 28, 1927), whose business activities this collection primarily represents, began his career in Omaha through his involvement with Frank Murphy in the Omaha Gas Company, beginning in 1871. Barker became vice president and secretary of that interest until it was sold to the United Gas Improvement Company. In 1883 Barker, along with others, purchased the farm land that became South Omaha and the Union Stockyards Company. Barker was also extensively involved in residential development in Omaha buying and developing residential additions such as Clairmont, Monteclair, Club Terrace and Leavenworth Heights. Barker Block is located on the southwest corner of Fifteenth and Farnham Streets. It should be noted that Barker is remembered as one of the few Omaha real estate operators who did not lose faith in Omaha during the boom collapse of 1885-1887.

In banking circles the Barker family also played an important and developmental role in Omaha’s growth. George E. Barker was one of the organizers of the National Bank of Commerce (formerly Bank of Commerce organized September 1, 1886), being stockholder, Boardman, and president of that institution. He also served as director of the old Nebraska Savings Bank and also was associated with the Midlands State Bank. The Barkers also held interests in area lumber and paint companies and were involved in Omaha insurance industry circles.

*For family history and genealogy, see RG3296: Barker, Joseph (1806-1785). That collection includes an extensive genealogy of the Barkers and reflects the family’s early activities on a more personal level. Two references and an article about Rev. Joseph Barker and the Barker family are available in Nebraska History magazine. Check the index or ask the Reference Staff for assistance. Photographs of the Barker family are available in the Families portrait collection [PC0471] and the group portrait collection [PC1635].

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection of the records and business papers of the Barker family is arranged as follows:

Subgroup 1: Barker Company, 1885-1957, n.d.

Series 1 – Barker Company Organizational Papers
Series 2 – Correspondence and Papers, 1885-1925, n.d.
Series 3 – Taxes and Protests, 1922-1928
Series 4 – Contracts and Agreements
Series 5 – Grantor/Grantee Index
Series 6 – Real Estate Holdings, 1896-1928
Series 7 – Alfalfa Meal Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Series 8 – Payne and Sons Real Estate Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Series 9 – Barker-Evans Paint Company (Ralston, Neb.)
Series 10 – Colorado Consolidated Lumber Company (Grand County, Colo.)
Series 11 – Omaha Gas Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Series 12 – Ledgers, Cash Paid Out
Series 13 – Ledgers, Real Estate Cash

Subgroup 2: Benson and Carmichael (Realtors) Audits

Series 1 – Agreement, 1928
Series 2 – Correspondence, 1927
Series 3 – Exhibits
Series 4 – Audit Sheets

Subseries 1 – Club Terrace
Subseries 2 – Clairmont
Subseries 3 – Montclair
Subseries 4 – Leavenworth Heights
Subseries 5 – Edgewood
Subseries 6 – Thornburg Place
Subseries 7 – Eleanor Place
Subseries 8 – East Side
Subseries 9 – Brookline Place
Subseries 10 – Orchard Hill
Subseries 11 – Inclusive Audit Sheets
Subseries 12 – Miscellaneous

Subgroup 3: National Bank of Commerce (Omaha, Neb.)

Series 1 – Correspondence and Papers, 1887-1895
Series 2 – First National Bank of Kearney (Kearney, Neb.)
Series 3 – George W. Logan Account (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Series 4 – Stockholders’ Meetings

Subgroup 4: Property Documents

Series 1 – Land Contracts
Series 2 – Mortgages
Series 3 – Mortgage Coupons
Series 4 – Warranty Deeds
Series 5 – Abstracts of Title
Series 6 – Release of Mortgage
Series 7 – Extension Agreement
Series 8 – Assignment of Mortgages
Series 9 – Chattel Mortgages
Series 10 – Sheriff’s Deeds
Series 11 – Treasurer’s Tax Deeds
Series 12 – Quit Claim Deeds
Series 13 – Proofs of Claim, First National Bank of Kearney
Series 14 – Bank Protests, National Bank of Commerce (Omaha, Neb.)
Series 15 – Land Leases
Series 16 – Miscellaneous

Subgroup 5: Miscellaneous Material

Series 1 – Stock Certificates/Insurance Notes, 1857-1893, n.d.
Series 2 – Legal Papers, 1882-1901, n.d.
Series 3 – Correspondence, 1889-1912
Series 4 – Tally Sheets and Lists, 1888-1926, n.d.

The material in this collection relates to the business operations of the Barker family of Omaha, Nebraska. The family’s ongoing involvement in real estate, banking, public utilities and other business is reflected in the appropriate subgroups. This collection is an extensive representation of business development and technique from pioneer days to the Depression era in Omaha. Furthermore, this collection offers an excellent portrait of turn-of-the-century capitalism. Subgroup 1, Series 3, Taxes and Protest, offers the researcher a unique view into the early operations of the Internal Revenue Service and the business community’s reaction to the new income tax.

INVENTORY

Subgroup 1: Barker Company, 1885-1957, n.d.
Series 1 – Barker Company Organizational Papers

Box 1
Folder

  1. Articles of Incorporation, 1896 (& stock certificate, 1914)
  2. Daily Journal, August 1921 – April 1925

Series 2 – Correspondence and Papers, 1885-1925, n.d.

  1. June 25, 1885 and acct. w/Clifton E. Mayne, Dec. 1885 – April 1886
  2. January 1, 1886 – March 8, 1886 and accts. W/C.E. Mayne, June-Dec. 1886
  3. January 1887 – November 13, 1887, n.d., Clifton E. Mayne, correspondent
  4. September 14, 1888 – December 18, 1888, n.d.
  5. July 27, 1889 – November 14, 1889 (includes C.E. Mayne loan agreement)
  6. September 2, 1894 – January 12, 1897 (includes settlement, Geo. Barker vs. Samuel R. Johnson & Charles Corbett, 1895)
  7. January 17, 1900 – June 29, 1909 (includes Municipal Commutation Co. of Omaha, Canadian Smelting Works, and Carter White Lead Co.)
  8. July 7, 1911 – January 28, 1925 (correspondents include H.B. Payne and Alfred O. Barker)

Series 3 – Taxes and Protests, 1922-1928

  1. Correspondence, March 8, 1924 – July 25, 1928
  2. Real Estate Sales and Summary, 1922-1925
  3. Report to Internal Revenue Service, pp. 1-50
  4. Report to Internal Revenue Service, pp. 51-100

Series 4 – Contracts and Agreements

  1. October 1, 1909 – December 13, 1926 including:
    Barker Co. to Benson & Carmichael:
    Club Terrace, 1909
    Clairmont, 1910
    Agreement, 1913
    Leavenworth Heights, 1915
    Edgewood, 1920
    Eleanor Place, 1921
    Thomburg Place, 1924
    Orchard Hill, 1924
    Barker Co. with Payne & Slater re. Elmwood Gardens, 1917
    Agreement with Charles S. McConnell, Accountant, 1922
    G.W. Dishong purchase of property, 1926

Series 5 – Grantor/Grantee Index

  1. Grantor/Grantee Indices, n.d.
  2. Grantor/Grantee Indices, n.d.

Series 6 – Real Estate Holdings, 1896-1928

  1. Club Terrace Sales and Collections, 1923-1924
  2. Club Terrace Sales and Collections, 1922-1925
  3. Elmwood Gardens Real Estate Sales, 1917-1926
  4. Elmwood Gardens Sales and Collections, 1917-1919
  5. Elmwood Gardens Sales and Collections, 1917-1920
  6. Elmwood Gardens Sales and Collections, 1921-1923
  7. Elmwood Gardens Recapitulation, 1917-1924
  8. Clearview Sales and Collections, 1918-1923
  9. Clearview Sales, 1922-1924
  10. Property on Hand, 1896-1926
  11. Net Taxable Income by Property Held, 1919-1921
  12. Barker Company Accounting Ledger, 1917-1928
  13. Miscellaneous accounts and balance sheets, 1918-1928

NOTE: For Real Estate Record, 1928-1957 see Series 13, Box 2, Vol. 1

Series 7 – Alfalfa Meal Company (Omaha, Neb.)

  1. Correspondence & papers, April 23, 1907 – August 8, 1908

Series 8 – Payne and Sons Real Estate Company (Omaha, Neb.)

  1. 1917-1928

Series 9 – Barker-Evans Paint Company (Ralston, Neb.)

  1. Report, May 2, 1908
  2. Stockbook; Nelson-Zarp Paint Company
  3. Stockbook; Nelson-Zarp Paint Company, Preferred
  4. Stockbook; Nelson-Zarp Paint Company
  5. Stockbook; Nelson-Evans Paint Company
  6. Stockbook; Barker-Evans Paint Company, Preferred

Series 10 – Colorado Consolidated Lumber Company (Grand County, Colo.)

  1. Reports and Agreements
  2. Correspondence & papers, August 11, 1906 – January 4, 1907

Series 11 – Omaha Gas Company (Omaha, Neb.)

  1. Agreements, re-organization, liquidation, 1886-1913
  2. Liquidation Agreement, 1920
  3. Correspondence and papers, October 1885 – December 1921

Series 12 – Ledgers, Cash Paid Out

  1. January 1, 1917 – June 30, 1919
  2. July 1, 1919 – May 31, 1921
  3. June 1, 1922 – December 31, 1936

Series 13 – Ledgers, Real Estate Cash

  1. Real Estate Collections, 1917-1926
  2. Real Estate Register, 1919
  3. Cash Received, 1917-1926; Journal begins on page 135
  4. Shop Accounts, O.A. Albrecht & Co., 1901-1919
  5. Cash Book, O.A. Albrecht & Co., 1901-1919 (correspondence & papers at beginning of volume)

Box 2
Folder/volume

  1. Barker Brothers Accounting Ledger, 1940-1957 and Real Estate Record, 1928-1957

Subgroup 2: Benson and Carmichael (Realtors) Audits
Series 1 – Agreement, 1928

  1. Agreement, 1928

Series 2 – Correspondence, 1927

  1. June 3-15, 1927

Series 3 – Exhibits

  1. A-1 thru C
  2. D thru L

Series 4 – Audit Sheets
Subseries 1 – Club Terrace

  1. Pencil Sheets A-1 thru A-5
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Typed Sheets A-1 thru A-5

Subseries 2 – Clairmont

  1. Pencils Sheets B-1, B-2, B-4 thru B-6
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Typed Sheets B-1 thru B-7

Subseries 3 – Montclair

  1. Pencil Sheets C-2 thru C-7
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Typed Sheets C-1 thru C-7

Subseries 4 – Leavenworth Heights

  1. Pencil Sheets D-1, D-2, D-4 thru D-7
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Typed Sheets D-1 thru D-7

Subseries 5 – Edgewood

  1. Pencil Sheets E-1, E-3 thru E-7
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Types Sheets E-1 thru E-7

Subseries 6 – Thornburg Place

  1. Pencil Sheets F-1, F-3 thru F-5
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Typed Sheets F-1 thru F-7

Subseries 7 – Eleanor Place

  1. Pencil Sheets G-1
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Typed Sheets G-1

Subseries 8 – East Side

  1. Pencil Sheets H-1 thru H-4
  2. Work Sheets
  3. Typed Sheets H-1 thru H-4

Subseries 9 – Brookline Place

  1. Pencil Sheets Schedule 1-3
  2. Typed Sheets Schedule 1-3

Subseries 10 – Orchard Hill

  1. Pencil Sheets I-1 thru I-2
  2. Work sheets
  3. Typed Sheets I-1 thru I-2

Subseries 11 – Inclusive Audit Sheets

  1. Summary of Subdivisions, Distribution of receipts
  2. Pencil Sheets of Divisions
  3. Summary Sheets
  4. Summary Sheets
  5. Property not Priced

Subseries 12 – Miscellaneous

  1. Miscellaneous Sheets

Subgroup 3: National Bank of Commerce (Omaha, Neb.)
Series 1 – Correspondence and Papers, 1887-1895

  1. April 11, 1887 – November 18, 1889
  2. June 23, 1890 – December 30, 1892
  3. January 18, 1893 – February 8, 1894
  4. January 23, 1895 – December 27, 1899
  5. January 31, 1900 – April 6, 1904
  6. Lock Checks, January 23, 1891 – October 25, 1895

Series 2 – First National Bank of Kearney (Kearney, Neb.)

  1. Correspondence, July 14, 1894 – December 24, 1894
  2. Correspondence, January 17, 1895 – April 6, 1985, n.d.

Series 3 – George W. Logan Account (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

  1. Correspondence, February 5, 1900 – February 20, 1900
  2. Correspondence & papers, April 11, 1900 – August 17, 1900, n.d.

Series 4 – Stockholders’ Meetings

  1. Publication of Annual Meetings, Lists of Members and Stockholders
  2. Corporate Organization papers, June 23, 1886 – March 19, 1890
  3. Corporate Organization papers, March 25, 1890 – January 8, 1906
  4. Proxy Notes, November 6, 1886 – October 26, 1901, n.d.
  5. Stock Certificates

Box 3
Folder/volume

  1. Stockbook w/correspondence, 1-500, 1896-1900

Subgroup 4: Property Documents
Series 1 – Land Contracts

  1. October 28, 1885 – January 15, 1887
  2. January 18, 1887 – August 30, 1909

Series 2 – Mortgages

  1. August 31, 1885 – February 7, 1887
  2. March 28, 1889 – February 28, 1918

Series 3 – Mortgage Coupons

  1. September 5, 1885 – August 24, 1894

Series 4 – Warranty Deeds

  1. July 14, 1886 – January 13, 1905

Series 5 – Abstract of Title

  1. Buffalo County, Nebraska, S6, T8, R15W

Series 6 – Release of Mortgage

  1. July 26, 1887-November 1, 1899

Series 7 – Extension Agreement

  1. Extension Agreement, Martin N. Holcombe with Joseph S. Trott, October 24, 1922

Series 8 – Assignments of Mortgages

  1. December 7, 1891 – October 24, 1922

Series 9 – Chattel Mortgages

  1. October 2, 1888, May 3, 1893

Series 10 – Sheriff’s Deeds

  1. July 3, 1893 – November 1897

Series 11 – Treasurer’s Tax Deeds

  1. August 8, 1900 – March 20, 1905

Series 12 – Quit Claim Deeds

  1. March 14, 1887 – May 28, 1908

Series 13 – Proofs of Claim, First National Bank of Kearney

  1. February 4, 1895 – undated 1895

Series 14 – Bank Protests, National Bank of Commerce (Omaha, Neb.)

  1. July 8, 1889 – October 18, 1895

Series 15 – Land Leases

  1. April 26, 1889 – July 21, 1894

Series 16 – Miscellaneous

  1. Bargain & Sale Deed, Deer Lodge Co., Montana Terr., 1880
    Redemption Certificate for land in Buffalo Co., 1893
    Dufrene v. Thomas et al, Douglas County Dist. Ct., 1889 Summons
    Purchase Money Receipt, Barker to Shahan, 1909

Subgroup 5: Miscellaneous Material
Series 1 – Stock Certificates/Insurance Notes, 1857-1893, n.d.

  1. January 3, 1857-May 3, 1893 and undated:
    Omaha Town & Quarry Co. Stock Cert., 1857
    Nebraska & Iowa Insurance Co. Stock, 1885
    American Bankers Association Stock, 1890
    Union Land & Improvement Co. Stock, 1892
    Travelers Insurance policy for Chatham O. Redick, 1892
    Nebraska Photograph Co. Stock, 1893
    Nebraska Savings & Exchange Bank – National Bank of Commerce Shares, 189_

Series 2 – Legal Papers, 1882-1901, n.d.

  1. April 8, 1882 – September 26, 1901, n.d.:
    Agreement, Christian Church of Omaha with Murphy and Barker for property, 4/8/1882
    Stock Transfer (draft), Adams and McBride, Omaha, 7/21/1887
    Frank E. Coulter vs. Omaha Gas Engine and Motor Co., Douglas Co. Dist. Ct., Order, 12/26/1900
    National Bank of Commerce vs. Annie R. Kinkead et al (fees), 9/26/1901
    Geo. W. Holt vs. J. E. Shipman et al (list of defendants), n.d.

Series 3 – Correspondence, 1889-1912

  1. November 22, 1889 – August 30, 1912

Series 4 – Tally Sheets and Lists, 1888-1926, n.d.

  1. Miscellany, 1888-1926 and undated:
    Geo. E. Barker in acct. w/F.K. Darling, 1893
    Board Bill, October, n.d. – James Carr
    Loan tally on Mt. Hope Cemetery stationery, May 1888 – July, 1889
    Krug Park Amusement Company – First Leasehold
    (closed) Mortgage 7% Gold Bonds
    (includes history of company), 1/1/1926

Subject headings:

Accounting records
Albrecht (O.A.) & Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Alfalfa Meal Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Banks and banking — Nebraska
Barker, George E., 1835-1927
Barker Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Barker family
Barker-Evans Paint Company (Ralston, Neb.)
Benson and Carmichael [Realtors] (Omaha, Neb.)
Carter White Lead Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Colorado Consolidated Lumber Company (Grand County, Colorado)
Colorado — Lumber trade
Douglas County (Neb.) — History
First National Bank of Kearney (Kearney, Neb.)
Kearney (Neb.) — Banks and banking
Krug Park Amusement Company
Land
Logan, George W. [Colorado Springs, CO]
Lumber trade
Mayne, Clifton E.
McConnell and Greenfield [CPA’s] (Omaha, Neb.)
National Bank of Commerce (Omaha, Neb.)
Omaha Gas Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Omaha Lumber Company (Omaha, Neb.)
Omaha (Neb.) — Businesses
Payne, Henry Bascom, 1867-1953
Payne and Slater [Realtors] (Omaha, Neb.)
Payne and Sons [Contractors] (Omaha, Neb.)
Public utilities
Ralston (Neb.) — Businesses
Real property — Omaha (Neb.)
Taxation — Public opinion — Nebraska
United Gas Improvement Company (Philadelphia, Penn.)
United States. Internal Revenue Service

CH/PJE/law 03-1989
pmc 04-1998
01-28-2010 Revised TMM

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