Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, IA, Sunday, February 17, 1943
C. T. OFFICER FOUND DEAD IN OFFICE
Discovered by Man Passing by: Long in Business in City
Charles T. Officer, 88, 204 Fifth avenue, dean of the Council Bluffs realtors and a pioneers resident of Council Bluffs, was found dead at noon Tuesday in his office, 128 South Main street.
Riley Hatcher, 533 Woodbury avenue, glanced into the window as he passed by and saw Mr. Officer, still wearing his overcoat, seated at his desk slumped back in his chair.
Hatcher notified City Clerk Nels Hansen across the street at the city hall, who called police. Dr. Grant Augustine, summoned from his office in the nearby Park building, pronounced Mr. Officer dead. They had been friends of the Lincoln's at Springfield, Ill.
His widow, Edith, told Coroner L. H. Tyler that her husband had left his home but a short time before going to the office.
Born March 18, 1854, in Jacksonville, Ill., he came to Council Bluffs in 1856, via steamboat on the Missouri river, with his parents and family. They left the boat at Wray's building, south of Council Bluffs, about where Lake Manawa now is.
When Abraham Lincoln visited Council Bluffs in August, 1859, Mr. Officer's parents entertained the future president in their home.
Years later his sister gave Lake Manawa its name, taking the names from the Indian language, which means "The Beautiful."
Completing his education in 1878, Mr. Officer entered the employ of the Officer and Pusey bank, in which his father was partner.
In Real Estate Business.
It was during the boom years of 1886-87 when realtors stayed open until midnight selling property direct from a company map, that he became interested in real estate.
He purchased two lots at the location of Eighteenth street and Broadway and before he could obtain final deeds to the lots he sold them for $900, more than twice the purchase price.
He and seven other business men incorporated and purchased forty acres of land in the western portion of the city for $40,000 in gold and before they could resell at a profit the boom ended suddenly.
Those in the enterprise took their share of the property and a few years later Officer sold his lots for $30,000, realizing a profit of nearly $20,000.
The real estate business proved too inspiring for Mr. Officer and he resigned his position of paying teller at his father's bank and started a real estate company in 1901 with offices at 419 West Broadway. He later moved his office to its present location.
Among Mr. Officer's prized possessions is an old desk, especially made for him when he went to school. He took it home with him when his school days were over.
Turned Down Offers.
It attracted much attention and many offered to buy it, but he turned all offers down because he once said, "That desk means a lot to me."
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Officer, were among the thirteen original members that organized the First Presbyterian church of Council Bluffs on Oct. 12, 1856.
It was there residence, now used by the Cutler funeral home, that was called "Preachers Hotel." There was hardly a visiting minister or missionary who failed to stop at the Officer home.
The bell that was used for the first church, was donated by his mother. It later was given to the tower of the courthouse, where it sounded the hours of the tower clock for several years until it was silenced.
At the time of his death he was one of the two living charter members of the Council Bluffs Real Estate Board. The other is H. G. McGee.
Mr. Officer was looked upon as an authority of pioneer history of Council Bluffs because of his long residence here and clear mind. In his discussions he quickly recalled incidents and details.
Mr. Officer was married twice. His first wife died several years ago. He married Edith [Brock]Beardsley on June 7, 1930.
He is also survived by a stepson, Richard; and two stepdaughters, Jean and Virginia.
The body is at the Cutler funeral home.
+++
Charles Thomas graduated from Lafayette College in Easton pa in 1878, The Record of the Men from Lafayette, by Coffin, 1879. (contributed by Peggy 15166225)
C. T. OFFICER FOUND DEAD IN OFFICE
Discovered by Man Passing by: Long in Business in City
Charles T. Officer, 88, 204 Fifth avenue, dean of the Council Bluffs realtors and a pioneers resident of Council Bluffs, was found dead at noon Tuesday in his office, 128 South Main street.
Riley Hatcher, 533 Woodbury avenue, glanced into the window as he passed by and saw Mr. Officer, still wearing his overcoat, seated at his desk slumped back in his chair.
Hatcher notified City Clerk Nels Hansen across the street at the city hall, who called police. Dr. Grant Augustine, summoned from his office in the nearby Park building, pronounced Mr. Officer dead. They had been friends of the Lincoln's at Springfield, Ill.
His widow, Edith, told Coroner L. H. Tyler that her husband had left his home but a short time before going to the office.
Born March 18, 1854, in Jacksonville, Ill., he came to Council Bluffs in 1856, via steamboat on the Missouri river, with his parents and family. They left the boat at Wray's building, south of Council Bluffs, about where Lake Manawa now is.
When Abraham Lincoln visited Council Bluffs in August, 1859, Mr. Officer's parents entertained the future president in their home.
Years later his sister gave Lake Manawa its name, taking the names from the Indian language, which means "The Beautiful."
Completing his education in 1878, Mr. Officer entered the employ of the Officer and Pusey bank, in which his father was partner.
In Real Estate Business.
It was during the boom years of 1886-87 when realtors stayed open until midnight selling property direct from a company map, that he became interested in real estate.
He purchased two lots at the location of Eighteenth street and Broadway and before he could obtain final deeds to the lots he sold them for $900, more than twice the purchase price.
He and seven other business men incorporated and purchased forty acres of land in the western portion of the city for $40,000 in gold and before they could resell at a profit the boom ended suddenly.
Those in the enterprise took their share of the property and a few years later Officer sold his lots for $30,000, realizing a profit of nearly $20,000.
The real estate business proved too inspiring for Mr. Officer and he resigned his position of paying teller at his father's bank and started a real estate company in 1901 with offices at 419 West Broadway. He later moved his office to its present location.
Among Mr. Officer's prized possessions is an old desk, especially made for him when he went to school. He took it home with him when his school days were over.
Turned Down Offers.
It attracted much attention and many offered to buy it, but he turned all offers down because he once said, "That desk means a lot to me."
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Officer, were among the thirteen original members that organized the First Presbyterian church of Council Bluffs on Oct. 12, 1856.
It was there residence, now used by the Cutler funeral home, that was called "Preachers Hotel." There was hardly a visiting minister or missionary who failed to stop at the Officer home.
The bell that was used for the first church, was donated by his mother. It later was given to the tower of the courthouse, where it sounded the hours of the tower clock for several years until it was silenced.
At the time of his death he was one of the two living charter members of the Council Bluffs Real Estate Board. The other is H. G. McGee.
Mr. Officer was looked upon as an authority of pioneer history of Council Bluffs because of his long residence here and clear mind. In his discussions he quickly recalled incidents and details.
Mr. Officer was married twice. His first wife died several years ago. He married Edith [Brock]Beardsley on June 7, 1930.
He is also survived by a stepson, Richard; and two stepdaughters, Jean and Virginia.
The body is at the Cutler funeral home.
+++
Charles Thomas graduated from Lafayette College in Easton pa in 1878, The Record of the Men from Lafayette, by Coffin, 1879. (contributed by Peggy 15166225)
Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, IA, Sunday, February 17, 1943
C. T. OFFICER FOUND DEAD IN OFFICE
Discovered by Man Passing by: Long in Business in City
Charles T. Officer, 88, 204 Fifth avenue, dean of the Council Bluffs realtors and a pioneers resident of Council Bluffs, was found dead at noon Tuesday in his office, 128 South Main street.
Riley Hatcher, 533 Woodbury avenue, glanced into the window as he passed by and saw Mr. Officer, still wearing his overcoat, seated at his desk slumped back in his chair.
Hatcher notified City Clerk Nels Hansen across the street at the city hall, who called police. Dr. Grant Augustine, summoned from his office in the nearby Park building, pronounced Mr. Officer dead. They had been friends of the Lincoln's at Springfield, Ill.
His widow, Edith, told Coroner L. H. Tyler that her husband had left his home but a short time before going to the office.
Born March 18, 1854, in Jacksonville, Ill., he came to Council Bluffs in 1856, via steamboat on the Missouri river, with his parents and family. They left the boat at Wray's building, south of Council Bluffs, about where Lake Manawa now is.
When Abraham Lincoln visited Council Bluffs in August, 1859, Mr. Officer's parents entertained the future president in their home.
Years later his sister gave Lake Manawa its name, taking the names from the Indian language, which means "The Beautiful."
Completing his education in 1878, Mr. Officer entered the employ of the Officer and Pusey bank, in which his father was partner.
In Real Estate Business.
It was during the boom years of 1886-87 when realtors stayed open until midnight selling property direct from a company map, that he became interested in real estate.
He purchased two lots at the location of Eighteenth street and Broadway and before he could obtain final deeds to the lots he sold them for $900, more than twice the purchase price.
He and seven other business men incorporated and purchased forty acres of land in the western portion of the city for $40,000 in gold and before they could resell at a profit the boom ended suddenly.
Those in the enterprise took their share of the property and a few years later Officer sold his lots for $30,000, realizing a profit of nearly $20,000.
The real estate business proved too inspiring for Mr. Officer and he resigned his position of paying teller at his father's bank and started a real estate company in 1901 with offices at 419 West Broadway. He later moved his office to its present location.
Among Mr. Officer's prized possessions is an old desk, especially made for him when he went to school. He took it home with him when his school days were over.
Turned Down Offers.
It attracted much attention and many offered to buy it, but he turned all offers down because he once said, "That desk means a lot to me."
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Officer, were among the thirteen original members that organized the First Presbyterian church of Council Bluffs on Oct. 12, 1856.
It was there residence, now used by the Cutler funeral home, that was called "Preachers Hotel." There was hardly a visiting minister or missionary who failed to stop at the Officer home.
The bell that was used for the first church, was donated by his mother. It later was given to the tower of the courthouse, where it sounded the hours of the tower clock for several years until it was silenced.
At the time of his death he was one of the two living charter members of the Council Bluffs Real Estate Board. The other is H. G. McGee.
Mr. Officer was looked upon as an authority of pioneer history of Council Bluffs because of his long residence here and clear mind. In his discussions he quickly recalled incidents and details.
Mr. Officer was married twice. His first wife died several years ago. He married Edith [Brock]Beardsley on June 7, 1930.
He is also survived by a stepson, Richard; and two stepdaughters, Jean and Virginia.
The body is at the Cutler funeral home.
+++
Charles Thomas graduated from Lafayette College in Easton pa in 1878, The Record of the Men from Lafayette, by Coffin, 1879. (contributed by Peggy 15166225)
C. T. OFFICER FOUND DEAD IN OFFICE
Discovered by Man Passing by: Long in Business in City
Charles T. Officer, 88, 204 Fifth avenue, dean of the Council Bluffs realtors and a pioneers resident of Council Bluffs, was found dead at noon Tuesday in his office, 128 South Main street.
Riley Hatcher, 533 Woodbury avenue, glanced into the window as he passed by and saw Mr. Officer, still wearing his overcoat, seated at his desk slumped back in his chair.
Hatcher notified City Clerk Nels Hansen across the street at the city hall, who called police. Dr. Grant Augustine, summoned from his office in the nearby Park building, pronounced Mr. Officer dead. They had been friends of the Lincoln's at Springfield, Ill.
His widow, Edith, told Coroner L. H. Tyler that her husband had left his home but a short time before going to the office.
Born March 18, 1854, in Jacksonville, Ill., he came to Council Bluffs in 1856, via steamboat on the Missouri river, with his parents and family. They left the boat at Wray's building, south of Council Bluffs, about where Lake Manawa now is.
When Abraham Lincoln visited Council Bluffs in August, 1859, Mr. Officer's parents entertained the future president in their home.
Years later his sister gave Lake Manawa its name, taking the names from the Indian language, which means "The Beautiful."
Completing his education in 1878, Mr. Officer entered the employ of the Officer and Pusey bank, in which his father was partner.
In Real Estate Business.
It was during the boom years of 1886-87 when realtors stayed open until midnight selling property direct from a company map, that he became interested in real estate.
He purchased two lots at the location of Eighteenth street and Broadway and before he could obtain final deeds to the lots he sold them for $900, more than twice the purchase price.
He and seven other business men incorporated and purchased forty acres of land in the western portion of the city for $40,000 in gold and before they could resell at a profit the boom ended suddenly.
Those in the enterprise took their share of the property and a few years later Officer sold his lots for $30,000, realizing a profit of nearly $20,000.
The real estate business proved too inspiring for Mr. Officer and he resigned his position of paying teller at his father's bank and started a real estate company in 1901 with offices at 419 West Broadway. He later moved his office to its present location.
Among Mr. Officer's prized possessions is an old desk, especially made for him when he went to school. He took it home with him when his school days were over.
Turned Down Offers.
It attracted much attention and many offered to buy it, but he turned all offers down because he once said, "That desk means a lot to me."
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Officer, were among the thirteen original members that organized the First Presbyterian church of Council Bluffs on Oct. 12, 1856.
It was there residence, now used by the Cutler funeral home, that was called "Preachers Hotel." There was hardly a visiting minister or missionary who failed to stop at the Officer home.
The bell that was used for the first church, was donated by his mother. It later was given to the tower of the courthouse, where it sounded the hours of the tower clock for several years until it was silenced.
At the time of his death he was one of the two living charter members of the Council Bluffs Real Estate Board. The other is H. G. McGee.
Mr. Officer was looked upon as an authority of pioneer history of Council Bluffs because of his long residence here and clear mind. In his discussions he quickly recalled incidents and details.
Mr. Officer was married twice. His first wife died several years ago. He married Edith [Brock]Beardsley on June 7, 1930.
He is also survived by a stepson, Richard; and two stepdaughters, Jean and Virginia.
The body is at the Cutler funeral home.
+++
Charles Thomas graduated from Lafayette College in Easton pa in 1878, The Record of the Men from Lafayette, by Coffin, 1879. (contributed by Peggy 15166225)
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