E.E. North Company – Explore Claremore History

Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change, Part 1

*W. Will Rogers Boulevard looking west at Cherokee Avenue before the O’Brien Building, before 1910.*
*Source: Postcard Postmarked January 1911. C. Rice Collection.*

A tempest heightened by a strong gust of wind and a tumbled-down brick wall on Father’s Day, June 2023, has radically changed the future of the O’Brien-Bridwell building, located on the southwest corner of Cherokee Avenue and W. Will Rogers Boulevard in Claremore, Oklahoma’s historic downtown business district. The result of this calamity was an unforeseen sale of the building and its current restoration by Vines Properties Inc. and Piotter Construction. In its 11-decades-old existence, if these walls could talk, this business structure would have countless colorful stories to tell.

As early as 1896, a large one-story framed building stood at the southwest corner of 3^rd Street (aka Will Rogers Boulevard) and Cherokee Avenue, (Block 113, Lot 9 & 10). Visible in the iconic 1906 F.L. Stone panoramic photograph of downtown Claremore, this clapboard building according to Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Claremore, Indian Territory, housed a Grocery (1898), Sample Room (1901), Furniture and Second-hand store (1903), and a Restaurant and Meat store (1907).[i] But soon after Oklahoma statehood a permanent brick building, the one that still stands today at 401 West Will Rogers Boulevard, was built.

In August 1910, the Claremore Messenger announced, E.W. O’Brien, of Oklahoma City, “purchased the fifty-foot lot of C.A. Warner, located on the corner of Third and Cherokee. He will move the frame buildings off and erect a nice modern two-story business block. The deal was negotiated through James Scott.”[ii]

“C.A. and Hattie M. Warner to E.W. O’Brien, lot 10 and 23 feet lot 9 blk. 113, Claremore, $7,250.”[iii]

That September, Mr. O’Brien, made “arrangements for the moving of the old buildings off the lot preparatory to building a brick business house.”[iv]

The O’Brien Building stood squarely on its corner lot. Divided by a decoratively designed arched brick street side stairway entrance that led to the second floor; this building contained two expansive, narrow business rooms on the ground floor. Customers entered the stores through front entrances facing Third Street. The building had copper pipes and artistically designed ceilings made of pressed tin tiles. The detailed brick edifice boasted a fancy parapet across the roofline with large glass storefront windows on both first and second levels in front and along the Cherokee Avenue side. In an era when the use of electric lights was in its infancy, the natural light of the large windows was an asset to business owners.

It was not till January 1911, that R.S. Saunders was able to move his store into “the corner room of the new O’Brien building.”[vi] That month, Judge Archibald Bonds and J.I. Howard moved their new law partnership into a “handsome suite of rooms in the O’Brien building.”[vii]

The Rogers County News enthused, “Large O’Brien Block Fast Nearing Completion – At the corner of Third Street and Cherokee Avenue stands one of the most imposing and substantially built brick blocks in Claremore. It is the new O’Brien block, which occupies ground space of 50×100 feet, and stands two stories high. This pretty business block, when entirely completed, will cost the owner, E.W. O’Brien, very near $20,000. The plans were drawn so as to make this one of the best lighted business blocks in the city. The two lower apartments are very spacious and stylishly finished. R.S. Saunders’ store already occupies the east corner and the west corner will soon be ready to receive the goods of E.E. North’s New York Store. Mr. North is having some expensive furniture installed, preparing to make his new store one of the best of its class in Oklahoma.”[viii]

Later that month, E.E. North announced, “We Move Feby. 1 – Having contracted for the center store room in the O’Brien Block we will on Tuesday Jany 31^st, close our present store to allow us time to move and get comfortably settled into our new home. This will probably require ten days. You can help us move by taking advantage of the following bargains: 30 per ct. off on Wall Paper, 1/3 off on English China. Reduction on fish and globes. We have a big stock of Valentines which we desire to dispose of before we move. N.Y. 5 and 10c Store.[ix]

*“In Front of the Five and Ten Cent Store, Claremore, Okla.” Source: Postcard. C. Rice Collection.*

E.E. North was elated with his store’s opening in its new location in the O’Brien block that February. “At the opening of the New York 5 and 10c store in the new O’Brien block… proprietor, E.E. North, looked more happy and pleased than even a boy with his first pair of suspenders or pair of long pants. Well so he may! For ten days, Mr. North and Miss North his able assistant, with a corps of lady clerks, have been busy as bees planning a big stock of pretty novelties and staple goods upon the… shelves and in the several handsome display cases. When the hundreds of visitors on Friday responded to the invitations to the opening they found… a world of pretty articles to look upon. Each visitor was presented a souvenir.”[x]

The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1911, Sheet 4, verifies a “5 & 10c” store in the west half and a “Ladies Furnishings” store in the east store space of the O’Brien building. A small iron clad, detached “Cobbler” building was located in the backyard.

The county court had previously been held in the second floor of the G.W. Eaton Building (now Sailor Antiques on the northeast corner of W. Will Rogers Boulevard and Missouri Avenue) since the building’s creation for Wilson’s Hardware store in 1902. When judges T.L. Brown and H. Tom Kight announced they would designate the “O’Brien Building as the place in which they would hold the courts of the county, this brought out quite an argument in which G.W. Eaton and others seemed to be somewhat interested, and after much debate upon the matter Judge Kight agreed to hold court in the Eaton building for six days; that being the time limit of the old contract in which Mr. Eaton was to be notified in case the commissioners should see fit to terminate their contract with him.”[xi]

In February many county officers moved to “Transact Business in the New O’Brien Block.” The Rogers County News reported, “Last Saturday was moving day for many of the county officers having offices in the Eaton block, part of which has been used as a court house since 1902. The officers to take up new quarters were Sheriff Sanders and Judge Kight; they now are settled in pleasant rooms in the new O’Brien block. County Attorney Elliott had contracted for office rooms in the new block almost before its completion. One story is sent out for the reason of this move at this time as follows. The county’s lease of the second story of the Eaton block expired about the tenth of March this year, and to get possession of his building at that time, G.W. Eaton served the usual thirty-day notice to vacate. Mr. Eaton would, after that date, look to the officers individually for his rent money. The county judge and the sheriff thought it best to move into the O’Brien block while a few rooms were vacant. One of the heavy safes was also moved up into the new block.”[xii]

Conveniently, a number of attorneys moved their law offices into the O’Brien building. When attorneys Ezzard and Holtzendorff moved into their new offices in the O’Brien Building it was said they had “one of the best equipped law offices in this part of the state.”[xiii]

Later that year, Blackford & Braden set up offices in the O’Brien Building as did Edgar Anderson Attorney at Law.[xiv]

But change was in the winter air that cold, crisp February of 1912 when the announcement was made, “O’Brien Building Sold. W.L. Swager Tuesday sold the O’Brien building corner of Third and Cherokee to J.M. Bidwell, of Wagoner, the consideration being $18,000 cash. Mr. Bridwell is one of the wealthy men of Wagoner county and may decide to locate in Claremore permanently. He will be back in the city next week and may purchase a home at that time. We understand Mr. O’Brien will go to Mexico to make his future home.”[xv] But Bridwell did not move his family to Claremore just yet.

“E.W. O’Brien to Ida K. Bridwell, lot 10 and part lot 9 block 113 $18,000.”[xvi]

That year, John Quincy Adams “moved his law office from the Eaton building into the O’Brian building at the corner of Third and Cherokee. This is probably the best location for a law office in the city.”[xvii]

Tragically, a fire caught hold of the O’Brien building in October 1912. The Claremore Progress reported, “Fire broke out in the second story of the O’Brien building on Main street about 7:45 Wednesday evening. The fire department responded promptly and what would have proven a disastrous fire, but for prompt work, was prevented. The fire originated in the room occupied as an office by E.C. Alberty. All the furniture in the room destroyed, a hole burned in the ceiling overhead and in the floor of the second story. Mr. Alberty’s loss is probably $50.00 and repairs to the building will probably cost as much. R.S. Saunders probably was the heaviest sufferer; his loss resulting from water which was used in getting the flames under control.”[xviii] This was the second fire R.S. Saunders had suffered while in business in Claremore.

The April 29, 1907, downtown fire destroyed two buildings on the southwest end of Claremore. Saunders’ stock of merchandise was much “destroyed by getting crumpled up and dirty, etc. not necessarily injuring the goods in any way, but greatly reducing their selling value.”[xix]

After the fire, Mrs. N. Skinner opened her new studio and exchange “in rooms 10, 11 and 12 in the O’Brien building over the New York Store, (and) prepared to do all kinds of china painting,” advertising, “Your liberal patronage of this china class is solicited. Opening all day Friday and Saturday.”[xx]

When Judge Tom Kight and Richard H. Wills formed a law partnership in 1913, the new firm opened offices in the O’Brien building[xxi] as did loan officer “Lee Settle, Room 2, O’Brien Bldg.”[xxii]

J.G. Waldrop, Physician and Surgeon opened his practice in the “O’Brien Building, Rooms 12 – 16” in 1915. [xxiii]

January 1917, E.H. Sanders filed an application requesting a license to open a billiard and pool establishment known as the Liberty Billiard and Pool Hall in the O’Brien building. J.A. Bell filed for a license to operate a billiard parlor known as the Mission Billiard hall in the same.[xxiv]

The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1916, Sheet 3, documents a “Billiards” hall in the west side and a “Gro(cery)” store in the east space of the O’Brien building.

As an act of patriotic duty during the first World War, 1918, “The Home Service Section of the Rogers County chapter of the Red Cross… opened headquarters in W.H. Bassman’s office in the O’Brien building.”[xxv] It was here that the Red Cross helped enlisted men understand their commitment and aided them on their way.

In January 1919, The Claremore Progress announced, “J.M. Bridwell, who has considerable property in Claremore, sold his farm in Wagoner county last Monday and we trust Mr. Bridwell will move to Claremore. The sale was made thru the Long Land Co. of this city.”[xxvi] By 1921, the O’Brien building would thereafter be referred to as the Bridwell building in the news.

When George H. Shafer purchased the American Café of S.P. Blakley located in the O’Brien building in 1920, he remodeled the space and changed the café’s name to The Sanitary Waffle House.[xxvii] The Claremore Progress declared, G.H. Shafer “has one of the nicest eating houses in the city and is a town booster. He is heartily in favor of anything that will make the burg grow.”[xxviii]

Then, Gust Leekos “purchased the Sanitary Waffle House from George Shafer and took charge.”[xxix] A newspaper advertisement stated, “Sanitary Waffle House Everything Good to Eat.”[xxx]

Shockingly, “The high wind and accompanying rain,” of July 1920, “blew two window lights out of the E.E. North sample room next door to the Sanitary Waffle House and also blew the top off of an automobile.”[xxxi] Luckily, this time, window lights were all that were blown about by a Claremore windstorm. Has history repeated itself? The fate of the O’Brien-Bridwell building was about to change.

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Click here to read the all new, “Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change, Part 2.”

(The preceding story is an updated version of “Claremore’s O’Brien Building – A Squeaky Clean History,” posted in November 2022.)

Sources: Unless otherwise noted, newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[i] Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Jan 1894. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “S. Not Finished.”

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, June 1896. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “Vac. S.” with front porch.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Nov 1898. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “Gro.” with front porch.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, April 1901. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “Sample Rm.” with front porch.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Sep 1903. Sheet 3. 1-story framed “Furne & 2d Hand S.” with front porch

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, July 1907. Sheet 4. 1-story framed “Rest. Meat (IR. CL).” With no front porch.

Sanborn Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1916. Sheet 3. 2-story, brick, iron clad 2^nd west wall with breezeway. Central front stairway. Water, Billiards west. Gro. To the east. Auto & Vac iron cl. Additions to the rear. Bakery to the west.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, OK, Dec 1925 Sheet 3. 2-story brick “Garage, Capacity 15 Cars, Wood Floor. Lights: Electric. Heat: Stove. (west).” S (east). Rear Repair Shop (rear).

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, January 1933. Sheet 3. 2-story brick “Store. Rooming 2^nd”.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, January 1933. Sheet 3. 2-story brick “Store. Rooming 2^nd”. Porch in front of 403, to the east side of 401.

[ii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, August 19, 1910.

[iii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, August 26, 1910.

Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, August 26, 1910.

[iv]Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, September 2, 1910.

[v] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, October 21, 1910.

[vi] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, January 6, 1911.

[vii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, January 6, 191.

[viii] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 45, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 12, 1910.

[ix] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 26, 1911.

[x] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 16, 1911.

[xi] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, January 13, 1911.

[xii] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 52, Ed. 2 Thursday, February 2, 1911.

[xiii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, February 3, 1911.

[xiv] Harper, William R. Rogers County Leader. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 83, Ed. 1 Friday, October 6, 1911.

[xv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, February 16, 1912.

[xvi] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 14, Ed. 1 Friday, March 8, 1912.

[xvii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 6, Ed. 1 Friday, March 8, 1912.

[xviii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 39, Ed. 1 Friday, October 25, 1912.

[xix] Smith, Clark. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 13, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, May 3, 1907.

[xx] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 46, Ed. 1 Friday, December 13, 1912.

[xxi] Ross, Ayres K. Rogers County Leader. And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, January 10, 1913.

[xxii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, February 28, 1913.

[xxiii] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 23, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 11, 1915.

[xxiv] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 52, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 25, 1917.

[xxv] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 30, 1918.

[xxvi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 27, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 23, 1919.

[xxvii] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, March 12, 1920.

[xxviii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 15, 1920.

[xxix] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 16, 1920.

[xxx] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 21, 1922.

[xxxi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 22, 1920.

Claremore’s O’Brien Building – a squeaky clean history

O’Brien Building, first building on the left. “Third Street, looking West, Claremore, Oklahoma. Left side near to far – O’Brien Building (1910), Theeson Building (1906), Rexall Drug Store, Campbell Building (1911). Right side, near to far – Columbia Building, Gorey Building (1909), Johnson Building (1909), BF Loomis/ Johnson Building (1906), Burns Building (1906), Bayless/Chambers Building (1905/6), Eaton/Wilson Building (1902).

Tim Pate owns Ann’s Cleaners & Laundry, the building and business located in the O’Brien Building on the southwest corner of Cherokee Avenue and Will Rogers Boulevard in Claremore, Oklahoma’s historic downtown district. Ann’s is a family run business that has prospered in Claremore for over four-and-a-half decades. In a recent interview Tim reminisced saying he learned the dry cleaning and laundry business from his mother Ann who learned it in Canada from her father.

Tim was twelve years old when his family arrived in Claremore moving from California in 1975. Tim recalls, there were still meter maids in downtown Claremore at the time. In the beginning Ann worked for several local cleaners: Hendricks, Mason and Imperial.[i] Eventually, the family bought and ran the Hendricks’s cleaning business, though Ann continued to press for the Masons as needed.

At first, Ann leased the east side, ground floor room of the O’Brien Building. Soon, the dry cleaning business grew so large more space was needed. Eventually, Ann purchased the entire building. Tim remarked, the west side store space had been a gym filled with exercise equipment that had to be removed. Roomers living upstairs also vacated their apartments.

In September 1982, forty years ago, Tim started working at Ann’s Cleaners full time and eventually purchased the business when his mother was ready to sell. Now, Tim’s cleaning business engulfs the entire first floor.

This is the story of one family’s experience running a business from the historic O’Brien Building. Surely in its 11-decade existence this brick structure has many more stories to tell.

As early as 1896, a large one-story framed building stood at the southwest corner of 3^rd Street (now Will Rogers Boulevard) and Cherokee Avenue, Claremore, Oklahoma (Block 113, Lot 9 & 10). Visible in the iconic 1906 F.L. Stone panoramic photograph of downtown Claremore, this clapboard building according to Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Claremore, Indian Territory, housed a Grocery (1898), Sample Room (1901), Furniture and Second-hand store (1903), and a Restaurant and Meat store (1907).[ii] But soon after Oklahoma statehood a permanent brick building, the one that still stands today at 401 & 403 West Will Rogers Boulevard, was built.

“C.A. and Hattie M. Warner to E.W. O’Brien, lot 10 and 23 feet lot 9 blk. 113, Claremore, $7,250.”[iv]

That September, Mr. O’Brien, made “arrangements for the moving of the old buildings off the lot preparatory to building a brick business house.”[v]

The Claremore Progress reported in October, “The brick buildings now under construction in the city are moving on nicely; the laying of brick has begun on the new O’Brien building while the brick work on the new Ward building (now Boarding House Books) is more than half completed and the carpenters are getting along nicely with the inside of the building. The Ward building will have a porch at the second story across the rear of the building and another 30 feet long on the east side, which will add much to the comfort of the guests who will occupy the hotel.” [vi]

The O’Brien Building stood squarely on its corner lot. Divided by a decoratively designed arched brick street side stairway entrance that led to the second floor, this building contained two expansive, narrow business rooms on the ground floor. Customers entered the stores through front entrances facing 3^rd Street. The building had copper pipes and artistically designed ceilings made of pressed tin tiles. The detailed brick edifice boasted a fancy parapet across the roofline with large glass storefront windows on both first and second levels in front and along the Cherokee Avenue side. In an era when the use of electric lights was in its infancy, the natural light of the large windows was an asset to business owners.

It was not till January 1911, that R.S. Saunders was able to move his store into “the corner room of the new O’Brien building.”[vii] That month, Judge Archibald Bonds and J.I. Howard moved their new law partnership into a “handsome suite of rooms in the O’Brien building.”[viii]

Later that month, E.E. North announced, “We Move Feby. 1 – Having contracted for the center store room in the O’Brien Block we will on Tuesday, Jany 31^st, close our present store to allow us time to move and get comfortably settled into our new home. This will probably require ten days. You can help us move by taking advantage of the following bargains: 30 per ct. off on Wall Paper, 1/3 off on English China. Reduction on fish and globes. We have a big stock of Valentines which we desire to dispose of before we move. N.Y. 5 and 10c Store.[x]

“In Front of the Five and Ten Cent Store, Claremore, Oklahoma.”

E.E. North was elated with his store’s opening in its new location in the O’Brien block that February. “At the opening of the New York 5 and 10c store in the new O’Brien block… proprietor, E.E. North, looked more happy and pleased than even a boy with his first pair of suspenders or pair of long pants. Well so he may! For ten days, Mr. North and Miss North his able assistant, with a corps of lady clerks, have been busy as bees planning a big stock of pretty novelties and staple goods upon the… shelves and in the several handsome display cases. When the hundreds of visitors on Friday responded to the invitations to the opening, they found… a world of pretty articles to look upon. Each visitor was presented a souvenir.”[xi]

The county court had previously been held in the second floor of the G.W. Eaton Building (now Sailor Antiques on the northeast corner of Will Rogers Boulevard and Missouri Avenue) since the building’s creation for Wilson’s Hardware store in 1902. When judges T.L. Brown and H. Tom Kight announced they would designate the “O’Brien Building as the place in which they would hold the courts of the county, this brought out quite an argument in which G.W. Eaton and others seemed to be somewhat interested, and after much debate upon the matter Judge Kight agreed to hold court in the Eaton building for six days; that being the time limit of the old contract in which Mr. Eaton was to be notified in case the commissioners should see fit to terminate their contract with him.”[xii]

Conveniently, a number of attorneys also moved their law offices into the O’Brien building. When attorneys Ezzard and Holtzendorff moved into their new offices in the O’Brien Building it was said they had “one of the best equipped law offices in this part of the state.”[xiv]

Later that year, Blackford & Braden set up offices in the O’Brien Building as did Edgar Anderson Attorney at Law.[xv]

“E.W. O’Brien to Ida K. Bridwell, lot 10 and part lot 9 block 113, $18,000.”[xvii]

Tragically, a fire caught hold of the O’Brien building in October 1912. The Claremore Progress reported, “Fire broke out in the second story of the O’Brien building on Main street about 7:45 Wednesday evening. The fire department responded promptly and what would have proven a disastrous fire, but for prompt work, was prevented. The fire originated in the room occupied as an office by E.C. Alberty. All the furniture in the room destroyed, a hole burned in the ceiling overhead and in the floor of the second story. Mr. Alberty’s loss is probably $50.00 and repairs to the building will probably cost as much. R.S. Saunders probably was the heaviest sufferer; his loss resulting from water which was used in getting the flames under control.”[xix] This was the second fire R.S. Saunders had suffered while in business in Claremore.

The April 29, 1907, downtown fire destroyed two buildings on the southwest end of Claremore’s main street. Saunders’ stock of merchandise was much “destroyed by getting crumpled up and dirty, etc. not necessarily injuring the goods in any way, but greatly reducing their selling value.”[xx]

After the fire, Mrs. N. Skinner opened her new studio and exchange “in rooms 10, 11 and 12 in the O’Brien building over the New York Store, [and] prepared to do all kinds of china painting,” advertising, “Your liberal patronage of this china class is solicited. Opening all day Friday and Saturday.”[xxi]

When Judge Tom Kight and Richard H. Wills formed a law partnership in 1913, the new firm opened offices in the O’Brien building[xxii] as did loan officer “Lee Settle, Room 2, O’Brien Bldg.”[xxiii]

J.G. Waldrop, Physician and Surgeon opened his practice in the “O’Brien Building, Rooms 12 – 16” in 1915. [xxiv]

As an act of patriotic duty during the first World War, 1918, “The Home Service Section of the Rogers County chapter of the Red Cross… opened headquarters in (attorney) W.H. Bassman’s office in the O’Brien building.”[xxvi] It was here that the Red Cross helped enlisted men understand their commitment and aided them on their way.

That September, Gust Leekos “purchased the Sanitary Waffle House from George Shafer and took charge.”[xxx] A newspaper advertisement stated, “Sanitary Waffle House Everything Good to Eat.”[xxxi]

Souvenir Booklet, Claremore, Oklahoma. c. 1922. Photo Courtesy the Rogers County Historical Society. Belvidere Mansion Archives.

Popular Claremore photographer, John Blair “leased the Bridwell (O’Brien) building just east of the Haggard Bakery (located in the Theeson Building) [to] occupy the same with his studio about the first of March 1921.”[xxxii]

A Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, June 1916, further records a Billiards’ parlor in the west side of the O’Brien building, with a Grocery business in the east. By 1925, a “Garage, Capacity 15 Cars” was located in the western half with an unnamed store located in the east. By January 1933, unspecified stores were located in the first floor and a rooming house was located on the second.

Long-time Claremore residents will remember the O’Brien Building at 401 and 401-1/2 Will Rogers Boulevard as the home of Western Auto Association (at least 1939 – 1963), Dr. Meloy’s Claremore General Hospital [at least 1935, 1942 (C. Adair, Supt.) to 1954], The Claremore Hotel [at least 1955, 1958 (Laura Hawks – owner), till at least 1973], and now Ann’s Cleaners.[xxxiii]

It’s inspiring to listen to owners talk about the history of their downtown Claremore buildings and to hear the passion they have for the businesses they’ve created. Tim Pate and Ann’s Cleaners is no exception. The same passion runs the length of the longer Claremore story making this the town we so admire today.

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Sources: Unless otherwise noted, Oklahoma newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[i] “Ann’s Cleaners Celebrates 40 years in Claremore,” Kristy Sturgill, Claremore Daily Progress. September 28, 2016.

Tim Pate interview, Friday, October 21,2022.

[ii] Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Jan 1894. Sheet 2.

1-story framed “S. Not Finished.”

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, June 1896. Sheet 2.

1-story framed “Vac. S.” with front porch

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Nov 1898. Sheet 2.

1-story framed “Gro.” with front porch

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, April 1901. Sheet 2.

1-story framed “Sample Rm.” with front porch

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Sep 1903. Sheet 3.

1-story framed “Furne & 2d Hand S.” with front porch

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, July 1907. Sheet 4.

1-story framed “Rest. Meat (IR. CL).” With no front porch.

Sanborn Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1916. Sheet 3.

2-story, brick, iron clad 2^nd west wall with breezeway. Central front stairway. Water, Billiards west. Gro. To the east. Auto & Vac iron cl. Additions to the rear. Bakery to the west

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, OK, Dec 1925 Sheet 3.

2-story brick “Garage, Capacity 15 Cars, Wood Floor. Lights: Electric. Heat: Stove. (west).” S (east). Rear Repair Shop (rear).

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, January 1933. Sheet 3.

2-story brick “Store. Rooming 2^nd”.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, January 1933. Sheet 3.

2-story brick “Store. Rooming 2^nd”. Porch in front of 403, to the east side of 401.

[iii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, August 19, 1910. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178340/).

[iv] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, August 26, 1910. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178341/).

Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, August 26, 1910. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181205/).

[v]Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, September 2, 1910, newspaper, September 2, 1910; Claremore, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181206/: accessed October 12, 2022), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[vi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, October 21, 1910. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181213/).

[vii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, January 6, 1911. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178360/).

[viii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, January 6, 1911. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181222/).

[ix] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 45, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 12, 1910. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc956460/).

[x] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 26, 1911. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc957286/).

[xi] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 16, 1911. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc956373/).

[xii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 7, Ed. 1 Friday, January 13, 1911. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178361/).

[xiii] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 52, Ed. 2 Thursday, February 2, 1911, newspaper, February 2, 1911; Claremore, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc956276/).

[xiv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, February 3, 1911. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181226/)

[xv] Harper, William R. Rogers County Leader. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 83, Ed. 1 Friday, October 6, 1911. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc956049/)

[xvi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, February 16, 1912. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181279/).

[xvii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 14, Ed. 1 Friday, March 8, 1912. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178424/).

[xviii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 6, Ed. 1 Friday, March 8, 1912. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181282/)

[xix] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 39, Ed. 1 Friday, October 25, 1912.(https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181315/).

[xx] Smith, Clark. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 13, No. 19, Ed. 1 Friday, May 3, 1907. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178150/).

[xxi] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 46, Ed. 1 Friday, December 13, 1912. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181327/).

[xxii] Ross, Ayres K. Rogers County Leader. And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, January 10, 1913. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc175894/)

[xxiii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, February 28, 1913.(https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181347/).

[xxiv] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 23, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 11, 1915. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181538/).

[xxv] Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 52, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 25, 1917. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181638/).

[xxvi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 30, 1918. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182586/).

[xxvii] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, March 12, 1920. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178892/).

[xxviii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 15, 1920.(https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183149/).

[xxix] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 22, 1920.(https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183233/).

[xxx] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 16, 1920.(https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181843/).

[xxxi] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 21, 1922. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182530/).

[xxxii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 3, 1921. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182145/).

[xxxiii] Western Auto Association (at least 1942 – 1963);

Dr. Meloy’s Claremore General Hospital [at least 1942 (C. Adair, Supt.) to 1954];

The Claremore Hotel [at least 1955, 1958 (Laura Hawks – owner), till at least 1973].

Sources:

1949 photos, Blair Photo Collection, Rogers County Historical Society Archives;

“Claremore – Historic Sites Survey – Indian Nations Council of Governments for the Oklahoma Historic Society.” 1985;

Claremore Oklahoma, City Directory, Johnson Publishing Co. 1963.

Telephone Directory, Claremore, Oklahoma. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, May 1942, 1949, May 1951, May 1954, May 1955, June 1958, February 1960, May 1970, May 1971, May 1972, May 1973.

“Final Survey Report Architectural/Historic Intensive Level Survey of the Claremore Downtown Historic District, Claremore, Oklahoma.” Prepared by Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, Susan Allen, Architectural Historian, Cynthia Smelker, Preservation Research Assistant, February 1996.

“Ann’s Cleaners Celebrates 40 years in Claremore,” Kristy Sturgill, Claremore Daily Progress. September 28, 2016.

E.E. North’s New York 5 & 10 Cent Store Grand Opening a Grand Success!

E.E. North’s New York 5 & 10 Cent Store Grand Opening!

Scan 2.jpg

This classic photo titled “In Front of the Five and Ten Cent Store, Claremore, Okla.,” is an interesting curiosity. A question came up recently, about the circumstance captured in this photo that invited such a large crown to visit Claremore’s main street. In his May 24, 2018, article, “The Claremore New York 5 & 10, it was a Racket,” found in “Claremore as I Remember,” Randall Pickens, Sr., suggests that this photograph could, perhaps, be the scene of the grand opening of E.E. North’s Five and Ten Cent Store when his successful business was moved from its original location in the Neilson Building (the 500 Block of 3^rd Street aka Will Rogers Boulevard) to the newly constructed buildings on the east side of town known as the O’Brien Block.

In January 1911, it was announced by E.E. North that it was time for his New York 5 & 10 to receive an upgrade. He would “move Feby. 1. Having contracted for the center storeroom in the O’Brien Block, we will, on Tuesday, Jany 31^st, close our present store, to allow us time to move and get comfortably settled into our new home. This will probably require ten days. You can help us move by taking advantage of the following bargains: 30 per ct. off on wallpaper, 1/3 off on English china, reduction on fish and globes. We have a big stock of Valentines, which we desire to dispose of before we move. – N.Y. 5 and 10c Store.”[i]

The Rogers County News describes the new O’Brien building in this way.

“Large O’Brien Block Fast Nearing Completion – Second Story will be Home for Many of our Lawyers. At the corner of Third Street and Cherokee Avenue stands one of the most imposing and substantially built brick blocks in Claremore. It is the new O’Brien block, which occupies ground space of 50×100 feet and stands two stories high. This pretty business block, when entirely complete, will cost the owner, E.W. O’Brien, very near $20,000.

“The plans were drawn so as to make this one of the best-lighted business blocks in the city. The two lower apartments are very spacious and stylishly finished. R.S. Saunder’s store already occupies the east corner and the west corner will soon be ready to receive the goods of E.E. North’s New York store. Mr. North is having some expensive furniture installed, preparing to make his new store one of the best of its class in Oklahoma.”[ii]

The following advertisement was posted in The Claremore Messenger at January’s end. “The N.Y. 5 and 10c Store will close January 31^st and will not reopen until February 10 in their new location next to Threeson’s bakery.”[iii] The old store was closed and the transition down the main street began.

With a whirlwind of activity, February’s Grand Opening event of the New York 5 and 10c Store arrived and The Rogers County News was on hand to describe E.E. North’s brilliant success.

“E.E. North Has Opened Friday in the O’Brien Block. At the opening of the New York 5 and 10c store in the new O’Brien block, Friday, the proprietor, E.E. North, looked more than happy and prouder than even a boy with his first pair of suspenders or pair of long pants. Well, so he may! For ten days Mr. North and Miss North, his able assistant, with a corps of lady clerks have been busy as bees placing a big stock of pretty novelties and staple goods upon the spacious shelves and in the several handsome display cases.

“When the hundreds of visitors on Friday responded to the invitations to the opening, they found the store a model of neatness, and a world of pretty articles to look upon. Each visitor was presented a souvenir.

“It was two years ago last September when Mr. North purchased of Mr. Gordon the 5c and 10c store in the Neilson block. The stock was low then, but Mr. North has added to it until the N.Y. 5 and 10c store compares most favorably with those carrying a similar stock in the largest cities. So busy has Mr. North been since coming to Claremore no grass has been left to grow under his feet and little hair on his head.”[iv]

If this postcard with such a large crowd standing near the intersection of Cherokee Avenue and Third Street (Will Rogers Boulevard) does, in fact, capture the grand opening of Mr. E.E. North’s New York 5 and 10 Cent Store, then the event must have been a splendid success. Even more importantly, the event has left us with a grand view of Claremore’s history.

by Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Sources:

Unless otherwise noted, Oklahoma newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[i] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 26, 1911; Claremore, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc957286/: accessed March 27, 2020).

[ii] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 12, 1911; Claremore, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc957314/: accessed March 27, 2020).

[iii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, January 27, 1911; Claremore, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178363/: accessed March 27, 2020).

[iv] Larner, J. H. The Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 16, 1911; Claremore, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc956373/: accessed March 27, 2020).

A.B. Mayberry Served His Coworkers, His Community, His Church

A.B. Mayberry: Served His Coworkers, His Community, and His Church – Part I

Mayberry Mansion, 303 East 4th Street, Claremore, Oklahoma

Recently, the A.B. Mayberry property at 303 East 4^thStreet, Claremore, Oklahoma, was put up for sale. Lauren and Jacob Garrison purchased the home to create a community events venue of what is now fondly referred to as the Mayberry Mansion. This transaction got us thinking. Who was A.B. Mayberry?

A B Mayberry

Alvey Benson Mayberry. Photo Courtesy of Jacob & Lauren Garrison, Mayberry Mansion

On an autumn day, November 20, 1878, in Coles County, Illinois, John and Susan Mayberry welcomed their newborn son, Alvey Benson Mayberry, into the world.[i] Not much is known about young Mayberry until the 1900 U.S. Census which lists the 21-year-old, A.B. Mayberry as an unmarried schoolteacher living in the home of his step-father, J.H. Kennady, and his mother, Susan Mayberry Kennady.[ii] On May 29, 1898, not long before the 1900 census was taken, the widowed Susan Mayberry had married J.H. Kennady, in Saline, Illinois.[iii] A.B. Mayberry would not reside in his step-father’s household for long.

On May 1, 1901,[iv] at age 23, A.B. Mayberry married Miss Viola Leodocia “Docia” Ramsey (February 13, 1883 – April 17, 1971) the daughter of Robert and Nancy Ramsey also of Coles County, Illinois.[v] To them were born John Ovid Mayberry (1904 – 1977); Ocie Jewell Mayberry Ortner (1910 – 1987); and Robert Odell Mayberry (1913 – 1932).[vi] By December 2, 1902, A.B. Mayberry was appointed and served as Postmaster at Texas City, Saline County, Illinois, and was compensated $147.81[vii] for his efforts.

Nine years after their marriage, according to the 1910 census, 31-year-old Alvey B. Mayberry; Leodocia, his 27-year-old wife; their 6-year-old son, John Ovid; and one-month-old daughter, Ocie Jewell, were no longer living in Illinois. They were renting a home on South Third Street, Esculapia, Benton, Arkansas. Mr. Mayberry had been promoted from being a schoolteacher to being the Superintendent of Public Schools of Rogers County.[viii] Yet this was just one step in the journey towards the Mayberrys’ future in Claremore.

The November 8, 1917, issue of the Claremore Progress announced, “Claremore Adds Another Family – A.B. Mayberry, of Rogers, Ark., has recently accepted a position in the wholesale department of the E.E. North Co. Mr. Mayberry brings his family to Claremore with him and will make this his permanent home.”[ix]

Settling into their new community in 1917, A.B. and Docia Mayberry dedicated themselves to working hard for their community, supporting civic events, and being devoted, active members of their church – the First M.E. Church of Claremore.

Despite their great enthusiasm for Claremore, the Mayberry family did not lose ties with their Arkansas friends and family. In 1919, Mrs. A. B. Mayberry and children, Ocie and Odell, went to Arkansas on a visit and to attend a family reunion.[x] Mrs. Mayberry returned to Rogers, Arkansas, in February 1920 to be at the bedside of her mother, Mrs. Nancy Ramsey,[xi] who at the time was very sick.[xii] Sadly, with a heavy heart, A. B. Mayberry received a telegram from Mrs. Mayberry stating that her mother passed away from this illness at the family farm near Jonesboro, Arkansas. Interment was made at the family burial-place in Illinois.[xiii]

By the 1920 U.S. Census, A.B. Mayberry (41), Docia (36), John Ovid (15), Ocie (9), and Robert Odell (6) were renting a home, living at 330 Third Street (this home still stands at 332 Will Rogers Boulevard), Claremore, Oklahoma. By then Mr. Mayberry was working as a bookkeeper of the wholesale company.[xiv]

It wasn’t until the 1930 U.S. Census that it is recorded that the Mayberrys had moved to their beautiful home at 303 East Fourth Street, now called Mayberry Mansion. By then Mr. Mayberry was a salesman of school supplies, a wage earner. A.B. (52), Docia (47), Ocie (20 [sic]), Odell (16) and Lorene Allanso (a 17-year-old female, Native American servant) were living in the home.[xv]

It was in 1932 that tragedy again struck the Mayberry family. The youngest child, their son, Robert Odell Mayberry died at 18 years of age.[xvi]

The 1940 U.S. Census lists Alvey (61) and Docia (57) as the only Mayberry family members living in the home at 303 East Fourth Street. P.H. Kelley, the 43-year-old Band Master at the Oklahoma Military Academy, and Mae Berie (55) were boarding at the Mayberry residence. Mr. Mayberry continued as a school supply salesman at the time.[xvii]

Claremore Business Leader

Upon removing to Claremore, A.B. Mayberry worked for the E.E. North Company. The E.E. North Company, owned and operated by E.E. North, ran retail 10-cent stores located throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states. By March 1920, 10-cent stores were located in Claremore, Nowata, Miami, Chelsea, Picher, and Pawhuska, with more stores planned to be open within the year. E.E. North; his son, S.B. North; C.B. Holtzendorff, F.E. Carlstrom and J.M. Bridwell were on the Board of Directors of the company.[xviii] During his tenure as a bookkeeper at the E.E. North Company, A.B. Mayberry traveled to various Oklahoma cities such as Nowata,[xix] Tulsa,[xx][xxi] Picher,[xxii] Oklahoma City,[xxiii][xxiv] and even as far as Springfield, Missouri.[xxv] On his 1918 World War I draft card, 39-year-old A.B. Mayberry claimed that he was working as a credit man at E.E. North Company.[xxvi]

With a burst of inspiration, in 1920, Claremore businessmen, members of the Claremore Commercial Club, took a “Booster Trade Extension Trip” to surrounding communities to raise awareness and patronage of local Claremore businesses. This parade of twelve cars, complete with forty Claremore boosters, drove along its route stopping first at Tiawah, then Inola, Chouteau, Pryor, Adair, Big Cabin and Vinita. In each town Boosters gave goodwill speeches, their traveling band entertained with music, businessmen and preachers shook hands with the public, and Claremore souvenirs were distributed to promote interest in the wealth of fine Claremore businesses available just a short distance down the road. In this popular extravaganza, A.B. Mayberry and S. B. North represented North Wholesale Company and 10c Store by placing “a souvenir in the hands of every child” that attended the gathering at Pryor. “Not one of the little fellows changed position while the band was playing, but after the half bushel of tin whistles had been given them by the North 10c Store, and each one was told to ‘blow for Claremore,’ 225 pairs of little lips got busy.”[xxvii] A.B. Mayberry and his co-worker, S.B. North, became the most popular men in the parade.

As a hard-working, contributing Claremore businessman, A.B. Mayberry was concerned about promoting the educational development of the members of his community. With this in mind he served on the Commercial Club’s “House Committee” (appointed to look after the sale of tickets and other details) as the Commercial Club backed and made arrangements “to put the Lyceum course (a higher education correspondence course) in fine shape” so Claremore individuals would have opportunity to improve their education and skills by participating in this institution’s higher level course instruction.[xxviii]The following year, at a meeting of The Claremore Commercial Club at the Sequoyah Hotel (March 1921) the “standing committees of the Commercial Club were announced as follows: Education – A.W. Bevers, chairman, A.B. Mayberry, and C.O. Brown.”[xxix] It was fitting that A.B. Mayberry continued to look after the educational well-being of the Claremore community. Business was thriving. Claremore was growing. Economic prosperity flourished.

In July 1921, E.E. North’s company celebrated its 13^thanniversary with the following news release. “Last Saturday (July 9, 1921) was the thirteenth anniversary of the E.E. North Store in Claremore. It was thirteen years ago (1908) that E.E. North first came to Claremore and set up a rather humble New York 5 and 10 cent Store. By hard work and close application, the business grew and grew. First but two persons were employed. Today there are on the payroll of the E.E. North company 90 persons. From the humble beginning, there are now, in addition to the large wholesale concern located in Claremore, five other retail stores in the chain, each with a large stock of fresh and seasonable goods. The stores are located at Claremore, Nowata, Pawhuska, Bigheart, Hominy, and Picher. After E.E. North had been in Claremore four years, he was joined by his son, S.B., and family. The junior Mr. North had for some time been at the head of one of the Kress stores at Memphis, Tenn., and it was there that he received the training that has proven so valuable in the upbuilding of the large business that the North Company now represents. The senior Mr. North and family came to Claremore from New York state. This state also was the homeland of S.B. and family. Today North Wholesale has the following officers: E.E. North, president, J.M. Bridwell, Vice-president, S.B. North, secretary-manager. Their trade territory at present includes five states Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas. Seven traveling men are employed by the concern and in addition to the comfortable orders they turn in each week, the Wholesale does a large mail-order business. It can truly be said that the E.E. North Co., is a decided credit to a town much larger than Claremore, but Claremore is appreciative of the magnitude of the concern on this its thirteenth birthday. May it prosper as the years roll on.[xxx]

Souvenir Book Ida Lawley p.29 North NY 5 & 10 Vinson Drug Co Opera House copy - Belvidere Mansion Archives

L. Ida Lawley. “Souvenir Booklet, Claremore, Oklahoma, 1910-1915.” Muskogee Printing Co….Muskogee, Oklahoma. p. 29. Courtesy of the Belvidere Mansion (RCHS) Archives.

Unfortunately, the E.E. North Company’s good fortune came to an abrupt end. December 13, 1921, the “E.E. North Company, was duly adjudicated bankrupt.”[xxxi] Mr. and Mrs. E.E. North sold their residence at the corner of Sixth Street and Choctaw Avenue[xxxii]and left Claremore. They moved to Marlow, Oklahoma, where they made their future home.[xxxiii]

So how did this effect A.B. Mayberry? Mr. Mayberry was “bookkeeper for the North Wholesale Company in Claremore. Later he became a salesman for Peabody School Supplies in Oklahoma,”[xxxiv] wrote Mr. Mayberry’s daughter, Ocie Ortner, in the Mayberry segment found in The History of Rogers County Oklahoma. In 1942, on his World War II draft card, 63-year-old A.B. Mayberry claimed that he was self-employed.[xxxv] But A.B. Mayberry had other interests besides his job that made him an effective leader in the Claremore community.

Claremore Civic Leader

A.B. Mayberry and his wife, Leodocia were active participants in the civic affairs of the Claremore community.

In February 1918, A.B. Mayberry was in charge of Ward One along with J.H. Stephens, W.D. McClure and J.C. Reed for the sale of Thrift and War Savings Stamps. During World War I, the Claremore Progress stated it was one’s “patriotic duty to buy these stamps” to support the war effort. The collection of these funds was “money loaned to the government … money that will be saved for a rainy day.”[xxxvi] A.B. Mayberry served on the collection team for this war effort initiative.

November 1921, it was noted that A.B. Mayberry was elected Corresponding Secretary of the Young Men’s Christian Association of the state of Oklahoma[xxxvii] and again in January of 1922 the newspaper reported that A.B. Mayberry was “a corresponding member” of the Oklahoma State Y.M.C.A.[xxxviii]

Mrs. Mayberry was a helpful hostess according to the Claremore Messenger when it reported, “The Loyal Women of the Christian Sunday School were loyally entertained Friday Evening by Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Bridwell, at their home on South Choctaw in a most pleasant manner… At the close of the business the hostess, assisted by Mrs. A.B. Mayberry and Mrs. Raymond Bridwelll, served her guests with ice cream, wafers, Angel Food cake, and coffee.”[xxxix]

And in the fall of 1922, the ladies of the Big Four Unit of the Methodist Church Ladies’ Aid Society put on an enjoyable six o’clock dinner at the home of A.B. Mayberry, on East Third Street. “The dinner was served on the lawn and consisted of all good things to eat. After the dinner and a good social hour, the president of the Unit called the party to order, and in a nice talk presented the pastor of the church and his wife with a fine quilt made by the ladies, taking the red ribbon at the county fair. This quilt contained the names of about two hundred and fifty of the citizens of Claremore. It brought a goodly sum of money into the treasury of the unit and was a most suitable gift and will be highly prized by the recipients. Mrs. Dale, one of the members, gave an original poem describing the history of the quilt in its making and presentation to the pastor and wife. The members of the Big Four and their families went home feeling it one of the most enjoyable evenings ever spent.”[xl]

According to her daughter, Ocie Ortner, Mrs. Mayberry was known to be active in a variety of other civic affairs such as the Quest Club, Garden Club, and Women’s Christian Temperance Union.[xli] Both Mr. and Mrs. Mayberry focused on the social and intellectual development of the Claremore community, but there was another area in which the Mayberrys invested a large amount of time and energy.

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

We invite you to continue reading “A.B. Mayberry: Served His Coworkers, His Community, and His Church – Part II” by clicking the link here.

Sources:

[i]Erice Wilcox, “Alvey Benson Mayberry.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34084580/alvey-benson-mayberry. Accessed: August 30, 2018.

Registration State: Oklahoma; Registration County: Rogers; Roll: 1852126 Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

[ii](A. B. Mayberry’s birthdate according to this 1900 US census – Nov. 21, 1878.) Year: 1900; Census Place: Rector, Saline, Illinois; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0089; FHL microfilm: 1240342 Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. The United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

[iii]Ancestry.com. Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=IllinoisMarriages_ga&h=363022&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=7602

[iv]Ancestry.com. Illinois, Marriage Index, 1860-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Illinois State Marriage Records. Online index. Illinois State Public Record Offices.

[v]Erice Wilcox, “ Viola Leodocia “Docia” Ramsey Mayberry.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34082870/viola-leodocia-mayberry.bAccessed: August 30, 2018.

[vi]Erice Wilcox, “Alvey Benson Mayberry.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34084580/alvey-benson-mayberry. Accessed: August 30, 2018.

[vii]Ancestry.com. The U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors. Original data: Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971. NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls. Records of the Post Office Department, Record Group Number 28. Washington, D.C.: National Archives.

Ancestry.com. U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of the Census. Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of the Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service. Digitized books (77 volumes). Oregon State Library, Salem, Oregon.

[viii]Year: 1910; Census Place: Esculapia, Benton, Arkansas; Roll: T624_44; Page: 21B; Enumeration District: 0020; FHL microfilm: 1374057 Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[ix]Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 25, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 8, 1917, newspaper, November 8, 1917; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182082/:accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[x]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 27, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 14, 1919, newspaper, August 14, 1919; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182375/:accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xi]Wesley, Darrell. “Nancy G. Ramsey.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44479240/nancy-g-ramsey. Accessed: September 10, 1918.

[xii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 26, 1920, newspaper, February 26, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183183/:accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xiii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 26, 1920, newspaper, February 26, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183183/:accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xiv]Year: 1920; Census Place: Verdigris, Rogers, Oklahoma; Roll: T625_1482; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 170 Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

[xv]Year: 1930; Census Place: Claremore, Rogers, Oklahoma; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0008; FHL microfilm: 2341658 Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2002. Original data: the United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

[xvi]Erice Wilcox, “Robert Odell Mayberry.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34095859/robert-odell-mayberry. Accessed: August 30, 2018.

[xvii]Year: 1940; Census Place: Claremore, Rogers, Oklahoma; Roll: m-t0627-03330; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 66-8 Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: the United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

[xviii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 16, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 18, 1920, newspaper, March 18, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma.

[xix]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 27, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 21, 1919, newspaper, August 21, 1919; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183197/:accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xx]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 22, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 29, 1920, newspaper, April 29, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182000/: accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxi]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 27, 1922, newspaper, April 27, 1922; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183339/: accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 16, 1920, newspaper, September 16, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181843/:accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxiii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 27, No. 28, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 31, 1919, newspaper, July 31, 1919; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183160/: accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxiv]Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, August 1, 1919, newspaper, August 1, 1919; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178862/: accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxv]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 9, 1922, newspaper, March 9, 1922; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182917/: accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxvi]Registration State: Oklahoma; Registration County: Rogers; Roll: 1852126 Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

[xxvii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 28, No. 28, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 17, 1920, newspaper, June 17, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182542/: accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxviii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 7, 1920, newspaper, October 7, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182528/:accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxix]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 24, 1921, newspaper, March 24, 1921; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183517/:accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxx]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 14, 1921, newspaper, July 14, 1921; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183472/: accessed September 9, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxxi]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 15, 1921, newspaper, December 15, 1921; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183512/:accessed September 9, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxxii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 21, 1922, newspaper, September 21, 1922; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183239/:accessed September 9, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxxiii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 28, 1922, newspaper, September 28, 1922; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182986/:accessed September 9, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxxiv]Ortner, Ocie J. “Mayberry.” The History of Rogers County Oklahoma. Claremore College Foundation. c. 1979. #381 p. 310.

[xxxv]The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of Oklahoma; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group Number: 147 Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number 147. National Archives and Records Administration.

[xxxvi]Kates, W. C. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 21, 1918, newspaper, February 21, 1918; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183108/:accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxxvii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 10, 1921, newspaper, November 10, 1921; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182484/:accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxxviii]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 26, 1922, newspaper, January 26, 1922; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183028/:accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xxxix]Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 27, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, June 4, 1920, newspaper, June 4, 1920; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178904/: accessed August 29, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xl]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 5, 1922, newspaper, October 5, 1922; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182014/:accessed August 30, 2018), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[xli]Ortner, Ocie J. “Mayberry.” The History of Rogers County Oklahoma. Claremore College Foundation. c. 1979. #381 p. 310.

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