John Latenser, Jr. (1888-1978), Architect and Engineer

Omaha, Nebraska, 1912-1970

John Latenser, Jr. was born in Omaha, January 29, 1888, to John and Anna Nestor Latenser. He was educated at Omaha Central High School, and the University of Nebraska from 1906-1908. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Columbia University in 1912. From 1912-1933, Latenser worked for his father’s firm, John Latenser & Sons, and from 1933-1934 served as the State Engineer for the Public Works Administration; he was also a member of the Advisory Board. In 1934, Latenser was made the State Director of the PWA, a position he held until 1937, when he rejoined Latenser & Sons.[3] Latenser's role with the firm was principally in the general administration of the structural and mechanical engineering departments, including working drawings, specifications, and construction supervision.[6]

Latenser was a registered engineer in Nebraska, and a registered architect in New York. He was a member of the Omaha City Planning Commission & Board of Appeals. During World War I, 1917-1919, Latenser served as a Plant Engineer for the U.S. Shipping Board in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he also married his wife, Anna Banks, in February of 1919. Latenser was an active in the professional community, holding memberships in the Omaha Engineers Club, the Nebraska Engineering Society, and the ASCE. He was on the Review Board of the Omaha Building Code, and a member of the “C of C.”[3] He died in 1978.[1][2]

This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.

Lineage of John Latenser’s Sons

1. John L. Latenser (1858-1936), Architect (John L. Latenser, 1885-1914, and Latenser & Sons, 1915-1936)

2. John Latenser, Jr. (1888-1978), Architect and Engineer (John L. Latenser, 1912-1914, and Latenser & Sons, 1915-1970)

3. John F. Latenser, MD

3. William Banks Latenser (1926-____), Architect (Latenser & Sons, 1953-1978, and Latenser & Associates, 1978-1997)

4. William B. Latenser, Jr.

4. Robert L. Latenser

4. Paul Miller Latenser, Architect (other Omaha firms, ca. 1987-2000+)

4. Matthew A. Latenser

2. Frank J. Latenser (1890-1973), Architect (John L. Latenser, 1913-1914, and Latenser & Sons, 1915-1973)

3. James Seymour Latenser, Engineer (Latenser & Sons, 1949-1956)

3. Frank Nestor "Nes" Latenser (1925-2006), Engineer (Latenser & Sons, 1948-1978)

2. George Latenser (1903-1940), Builder (Latenser & Sons, 1929-1932; independent builder thereafter.)

Educational & Professional Associations

1906-1908: University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.[3]

1912: BArch, Columbia University, New York, New York.[3]

1912-1914: architect and engineer with John L. Latenser, Omaha, Nebraska.[3]

1915-1919: architect, engineer and partner, John Latenser & Sons, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.

1917-1919: plant engineer for the U.S. Shipping Board in Wilmington, North Carolina.[3]

1919-1933: architect, engineer and partner, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.

1933-1934: State Engineer, U.S. Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works Administration.[3][4]

1934-1937: State Director for the Public Works Administration.[3][a]

1937-1963: architect, engineer and president, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.

1964-1966: architect, engineer and treasurer, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.

1967-1969: architect and engineer with John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.

1970: retired, Omaha, Nebraska.

Notes

a. Registered Professional Engineer, ca. 1937, Nebraska, E-254.[5]

References

1. “J. Latenser, An Architect, Dies; Age 90,” Omaha (Evening) World Herald (April 12, 1978): 62:5.

2. “John Latenser, architect dies,” Lincoln Journal (April 14, 1978): 15:3.

3. “John Latenser, Jr.,” Who’s Who in Nebraska. (Lincoln: Nebraska Press Association, 1940), 353.

4. Hockenberger, Phil, “Loup River Public Power District; Consumers Public Power District; Nebraska Public Power District,” TS. (January 14, 1979). Copy courtesy Sherrill Daniels research files, May 21, 1980.

5. “Searchable Roster of Licensees: Former Licensees,” Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects, CD, 2003.

6. "Frank Latenser," Amendment to the Application for Registration to Practice Professional Engineering and Architecture, Frank Latenser to Nebraska State Board of Examiners, February 22, 1938. Nebraska State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Architects. Nebraska State Historical Society RG081 SG2.

Page Citation

D. Murphy, “John Latenser, Jr. (1888-1978), Architect and Engineer,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, October 16, 2018. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 20, 2024.

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