Difference between revisions of "John Merriam Alexander (1888-1972), Real Estate Developer, Contractor, & Architect"

Latest revision as of 15:53, 14 June 2023

dba John M. Alexander, John M. Alexander & Co., John M. Alexander Company

Born in Sigourney, Iowa in 1888, John Alexander lived his early years in eastern Iowa, but moved to Lincoln, Nebraska as a youth. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1910 and by 1911 was listed in Lincoln city directories in "real estate." His brother Ambrose E. and their father Harry E., formerly a butcher, soon joined John in his real estate and construction company, advertising "Homes Built to Suit You" in 1915.[11] Additionally, J. M. Alexander was a member of the Board of Realtors and Chamber of Commerce. He was a prolific builder of residences, mostly single-family homes but including a pair of five-story apartment houses in 1928-1929. On the building permits for most of his building projects, Alexander was listed as architect as well as contractor, and frequently as the owner (developer). On those projects where he is known to have constructed designs by other architects, or where other contractors built his deigns, that information is noted below. Alexander died April 6, 1972, survived by his wife, Helen B., three sons, and one daughter.[2][3][25][a].

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

Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings

Lincoln, 1907-1960

Educational & Professional Associations

1909-1910, economics instructor, University of Nebraska.[26]

1910, BA degree, University of Nebraska.[26]

1911-1913, real estate business, Lincoln, Nebraska.[26]

1913-1933, general contracting, building, and realty business (John M. Alexander & Co.), Lincoln, Nebraska.[26]

1913, Director, Capital Beach Railway Co., Lincoln, Nebraska.[14]

1929, among incorporators of Lincoln Flying School, Lincoln, Nebraska.[19][c]

1929, vice-president of Auditorium Building Corporation.[21]

1933-1940s (or beyond), "active in real est[ate] & property management," Lincoln, Nebraska.[26]

Buildings & Projects

Frame house, designed and owned by Alexander, built by Harvey Holt (1914), 1402 North 23rd Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[30]

Ahrens bungalow, designed and owned by Alexander, built by Fullagar (1914), 1744 South 26th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[27]

House (1914), 1914 South 27th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[15]

Thed. Miller House (1914), 1918 South 24th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[16]

Alexander-Mickey House, built by and for Alexander, designed by J. B. Miller (1915), 1915 D Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[17][18]

House for Geo. W. Widener (1915), 137 South 29th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[31]

"Frame Bungalow" for Henry M. Libby (1915), 1610 Sycamore (now Euclid Avenue), Lincoln, Nebraska.[32]

Griesel House (1915), 2111 South St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-037)

McShane House (1915), 2219 South St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-046)

Currie House (1915), 1920 South 23rd St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D06-103)

Alexander's Subdivision (1916), 18 lots on west side of Fitzgerald Avenue (now South 20th Street) from Lake to Park Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[33]

Goldstein House (1916), 1958 Park Ave, Lincoln Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-292)

Lewis House (1916), 1972 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-289)

Buehler House (1916), 1970 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-290)

Hagerty House (1916), 1992 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-287)

Mumby-Miller House (1916), 1951 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-319)

Mechling House (1916), 1995 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-324)

House (1916), 1969 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-321)

House (1916), 1981 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-322)

Hebbard House (1916), 2035 Pepper Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[4][6]

Bungalow (1917), 1800 Pepper Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[5][6]

Bornhart House (1917), 1983 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-323)

House (1917), 2415 South 20th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-325)

Claude L. Alexander House (1917), 1960 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-291)

Buehler House (1917), 1970 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-395)

Rice House (1918), 1921 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-315)

Anderson House (1918), 1934 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-294)

Dietze House (1918), 1928 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-295)

Schultz House (1918), 1912 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-297)

Deeringer House (1918), 1984 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-393)

House (1918), 1937 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-317)

Young House (1919), 1903 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-432)

Maseman House (1919), 2440 South 18th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-405)

Gunderson House (1919), 2435 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-310)

Rea House (1919), 1902 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-298)

Kester House (1919), 2341 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-305)

Gahn House (1919), 1925 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-316)

House (1919), 2414 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-312)

Reynolds House (1919), 1903 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-313)

Colhapp House (1919), 1911 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-314)

Hallock House (1919), 1924 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-296)

Walworth-Holman House (1919), 2419 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-308)

McMillin House (1919), 2401 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-306)

Benson House (1919), 2324 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-299)

Moyer House (1919), 2319 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-302)

Deklotz House (1919), 2042 Ryons, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-079)

Frankforter House (1919), 2025 Ryons, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-126)

Rucklos House (1919), 2045 Ryons, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-128)

House (1919), 2427 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-309)

Fulton House (1920), 2327 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-303)

House (ca. 1920-1921), 2407 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-307)

Hutchinson House (1921), 1992 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-392)

Jobst House (1921), 2311 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-292)

Larson House (1921), 2301 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-300)

Five "American Four-square" houses (1921-1922), 2611, 2619, 2627, 2635, 2645 A Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[10]

Stebbins House (1923), 2111 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-333)

Elis House (1923), 1954 Sewell, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-188)

House (1923), 2141 Sewell, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-237)

B. F. Moore House (1924), 1976 A St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D07-598)

Alexander-Burleigh house (1924), 1970 A St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D07-599)

Hodgman House (1924), 2135 Sewell St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-236)

Wagey House (1924), 2040 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-282)

Jouvenat House (1924), 2419 South 24th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-354)

Pierson House (1925), 2118 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-279)

House (1925), 2000 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-391)

Don Gallagher House (1925), 2218 Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-541)

Hinman House (1925), 2110 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-280)

Finney House (1925), 2100 Park Ave, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-281)

House (1925), 2438 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-369)

"Journal Ideal Home", a.k.a. Crook House, built by Alexander, designed by Miller & Craig, architects (1925), 2431 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][22][d] (LC13:D05-469)

E. A. Van Doran House (1925-1926), 2660 Park Avenue, Lincoln, Nebraska.[35][36][g]

Swanholm House (1926), 2421 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-468)

Sigma Nu fraternity house, built by Alexander, designed by N. R. Brigham (1927), 625 North 16th Street (on UN-L City Campus), Lincoln, Nebraska.[23]

Thomas E. Gillaspie House (1927), 2300 Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-537)

William C. Voigt House (1927), 2301 Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-547)

Trev Gillaspie House (1927), 2309 Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-548)

Ralph Theisen House (1927) 3014 Puritan, Lincoln Nebraska.[51]

Fuchs House (1928), 2201 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-448)

Martin House (1928), 2340 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-510)

President Apartments (1928-1929), 1330-40 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, Nebraska,[1][8][9][24][e] (LC13:C08-026)

Ambassador Apartments (1928-1929), 1330-40 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][8][9] (LC13:C08-026)

Lawrie House (1929), 2010 Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-390)

Edee House (1929), 2335 South 19th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.[1] (LC13:D05-304)

City Auditorium, built by Alexander, designed by Miller & Craig, architects (1929), 310 South 10th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[20][21]

State Theatre, built by Alexander, designed by Kansas City architect Robert Boller, (1931), 1415 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[28][29]

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Notes

a. J. M. Alexander's youngest son achieved prominence as a film and TV actor under the name Philip Abbott (1924-1998), co-starring in the TV series "The F.B.I." of 1965-1974.[12][13]

b. Nebraska State Journal reported briefly in 1915 that "Plans have been drawn for the construction of a modern residence at Nineteenth and D streets by John M. Alexander. The estimated cost is $8,000. It will consist of two stories and a basement. It will be faced with brick and will have a tile roof." That year J. B. Miller drew plans for Alexander's own house at 1915 D Street.[17][18]

c. Alexander incorporated Lincoln Flying School along with E. J. Sias, Arthur S. North, Myron Larkin, and Adrian S. Newens.[19]

d. Nebraska State Journal sponsored construction of an "Ideal Firesafe Home" in 1925. The article announcing the project noted that "To insure the success of this project the services of Allan H. Stobbs of Kansas City, Mo., have been secured....He has enlisted the services of John M. Alexander as contractor and Miller & Craig as architects."[22]

e. A full-page advertisement for "The President" apartments late in December 1929 quotes lavish praise from Alexander for the new building as "a model of home building," describing him as "the Lincoln Contractor who had charge of erecting the building and of carrying out the plans of the architect and the owners." There is also a long list of 17 companies or individuals "Those whose skill, labor, advice, and equipment made this great achievement possible." No one is credited as "architect" on that page, while John M. Alexander is listed as "General Contractor." The implication is that Alexander was not credited as the building's architect by its owners.[24] However, Alexander's name appears on the "Architect" line on the building permit application for the Ambassador and on the "Builder or Contractor" line for both buildings. Perhaps the "plans of the architect" which Alexander carried out, according to the advertisement, were the structural plans by an Omaha concrete engineering firm which are included in the City's building records.[9]

f. John M. Alexander & Co. platted "Alexander's Subdivision" in 1916, with John signing as president and his father Harry E. Alexander attesting as secretary of the enterprise. J. M. Alexander built frame bungalows on most of the 18 lots of the subdivision between 1916 and 1918. John's brother Ambrose E. Alexander signed a building permit for a frame dwelling at 1944 Park Avenue in 1917 as "Architect," "Contractor or Builder" (signing as "d[itt]o"), and "Owner of Building."[33][34]

g. A newspaper advertisement for J. M. Alexander mentioned the Van Doran house and identified Alexander's business pursuits as "Architect--Builder Realtor--Financing."[36]

References

1. Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey, State Historic Preservation Office, "Database", 2000.

2. “John Alexander, 84, Lincoln Realtor, Dies,” "Lincoln Journal" (April 6, 1972), 9:3.

3. “Deaths and Funerals: Alexander,” "Lincoln Star" (April 7, 1972), 25:1.

4. City of Lincoln Building Permit 6692, issued July 11, 1916.

5. City of Lincoln Building Permit 6965, issued March 16, 1917.

6. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 3, Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2021; 26.

7. "John Merriam Alexander, Date of birth April 28, 1888," Ancestry.com. Iowa, U.S., Births (series) 1880-1904, 1921-1944 and Delayed Births (series), 1856-1940, s.v. "John M. Alexander," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.

8. Ed Zimmer, "President and Ambassador Apartments," National Register of Historic Places Registration Form," accessed May 15, 2023 on-line at https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/93001401_text

9. City of Lincoln Building Permits 18044 and 18739, associated applications, and plans.

10. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 2, Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2020; 20-21.

11. Lincoln city directory, 1915, p.871.

12. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 1, Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2019; 90.

13. "Philip Abbott," in Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, access on-line May 15, 2023 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Abbott

14. "Mere Mention...The board of directors of the Capital Beach Railway company...," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (November 9, 1913), 6.

15. "Many Building Permits," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (July 5, 1914), 20.

16. "Some Buildings Going Up...Mr. and Mrs. Thed. Miller...," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal ((July 26, 1914), 12.

17. "Building Notes...Plans have been drawn...," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 18, 1915), 8.

18. Ed Zimmer, Walking the Near South Neighborhood: Volume 1, Near South Neighborhood Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 2019; 150.

19. "Three Lincoln Companies Are Incorporated," Lincoln (Nebraska) Star (October 19, 1929), 2.

20. City of Lincoln Building Permit 19233, issued November 25, 1929, architects Miller & Craig, contractor John M. Alexander, owner Auditorium Building Corp.

21. "Lincoln is Soon to Have an Auditorium," (Lincoln, Nebraska) Evening State Journal (October 3, 1929, 1, 7.

22. "Journal to Build Ideal Residence--Demonstration Dwelling to Be Located at Sheridan and Lake Streets," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 8, 1925), 1.

23. City of Lincoln Building Permit 16453, issued May 18, 1927.

24. "Achieving A New 'Liveableness'...The President Fireproof Apartment," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (December 22, 1929), 14.

25. "John Merriam Alexander," in Baldwin, Sara Mullin & Robert Morton, editors, Nebraskana--Biographical Sketches of Nebraska Men and WOmen of Achievement who have been awarded life membership in The Nebraskana Society, Hebron, Nebraska: The Baldwin Company, 1932; 19 (biography), accessed May 22, 2023 on-line at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/Nebraskana/pages/nbka0005.htm

26. "Alexander, John Merriam," in Who's Who in Nebraska, Nebraska Press Association: Lincoln, Nebraska, 1940; 657. Accessed on-line May 25, 2023 at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/who1940/co/Lancaster/lancstra.htm

27. City of Lincoln Building Permit 5716, issued September 2, 1914.

28. "Announcing the Grand Opening of Lincoln's New---STATE Theatre...John M. Alexander General Contractor," Lincoln (Nebraska) Evening Journal (May 5, 1931), 11 (illustrated with photo of facade).

29. "Theatre at 1415 'O' Street Lincoln, Nebraska Robert Boller, Architect...Kansas City, Mo.," elevation drawing filed with City of Lincoln Building Permit 19933, issued February 11, 1931.

30. City of Lincoln Building Permit 5700, issued August 27, 1914; J. M. Alexander "Architect" and "Owner," Harvey Holt "Contractor or Builder."

31. City of Lincoln Building Permit 5959, issued April 24, 1915.

32. City of Lincoln Building Permit 6162, issued August 13, 1915.

33. Plat for Alexander's Subdivision, 1916, signed by John M. Alexander, President, John M. Alexander and Company, accessed on Lancaster County Engineer's site, May 29, 2023, at https://app.lincoln.ne.gov/aspx/docview.aspx?path=\Survey\PlatBook\04\&project=coeng&filename=B4P00276&ext=pdf

34. City of Lincoln Building Permit 7027, issued April 6, 1917.

35. City of Lincoln Building Permit 16411 & 14612, issued October 8, 1925.

36. "Mr. and Mrs. E A. Van Doran have just moved into their new brick house at 2660 Park Avenue..." (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (April 11, 1926), 40.

37. "Journal Better Homes Bureau...Home of Ralph Theisen" and advertisement for "John M. Alexander & Co.," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (July 10, 1927), 32 (with photo of house).

Page Citation

D. Murphy & E. F. Zimmer, “John Merriam Alexander (1888-1972), Real Estate Developer, Contractor, & Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, May 27, 2023. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, May 16, 2024.

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