Forest Lawn Graphic



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Milton T. Barlow was the president of U. S. National Bank here in Omaha. His bronze monument has long been one of the favorites of Forest Lawn visitors, and I've always wanted to know who created it. It has the look of a Lorado Taft creation. 

Thanks to Jeff B., who did some research on it, we now know it was sculpted by Nellie Walker, who was in fact a student of, then colleague of, Lorado Taft. Walker grew up in Red Oak, Iowa, not too far from Omaha. Click here for her bio, and here for another more detailed bio. Walker has an amazing list of work done over her career of 35+ years. She spent some time at Van Briggle studios after she had given up the monumental work. She lived to the age of 99 and a half, and only stopped working when her eyesight failed around 1948. 

I've added Barlow's bio from the "Omaha: the Gate City" book at the bottom of the page. 

 Milton Barlow

Milton T. Barlow - President U. S. National Bank 

Of the firm of Caldwell, Hamilton & Co., bankers, was born in Greencastle, Putnam Co., Ind., January 31, 1844; was educated at Asbury University, Ind., and in 1863 moved to Nebraska, settling in Omaha, and entered the bank of B. M & Co.; has been a member of the present firm since 1867. He was married in Omaha December 19, 1867 to Miss Mary A. Hays, of Omaha. Mr. Barlow is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and of the Pleasant Hours Club. (Bio from 1904 Nebraskans book)

 

Barlow Marker

 

Barlow Statue

 

Barlow Monument

 

Barlow Back of Statue

 

Mary Barlow

 Mary was Barlow's first wife.  His second, Sarah McClintock Barlow, who died in 1956, is also buried at Forest Lawn.

 

Milton Theodore Barlow, president of the United States National Bank, for fifty-two years has been a resident of Omaha and throughout the entire period has been associated with banking interests. His high position in public regard is due not only to the success he has achieved but also to the straightfor- ward business policy which he has ever followed. He was born in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1844. His father, Milton Fry Barlow, a native of Kentucky, was married in Indiana to Miss Angeline Knight. Throughout his entire business career he was connected with manufacturing interests at Greencastle. He died in 1851, while his wife passed away in 1848. 

Milton T. Barlow obtained his education by attendance at the public schools of Greencastle and at Asbury University, now De Pauw University. In May, 1864, he responded to the country's call for troops for one hundred days' service and became a corporal of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for the period of enlistment. Later he came to Omaha, where he has made his home continuously since August, 1864, and throughout the intervening period of more than a half century he has been closely associated with its banking interests. Soon after his arrival he became a clerk in the bank of Millard, Caldwell & Company and, working his way upward in that connection, was admitted to a partnership in 1868 under the firm style of Caldwell, Hamilton & Company. The business was carried on under that organization until 1883, when the institution became the United States National Bank, with Mr. Barlow as cashier. He so continued until 1897, when he was elected to the presidency, which position he filled until January, 1915, when he was made chairman of the board of directors and was succeeded in the presidency by Victor B. Caldwell. Upon the latter's death in December, 1915, however, he was again elected to the presidency in January, 1916. It is seldom that one can claim continuous connection with a bank for a period of fifty-two years, but throughout his entire residence in Omaha Mr. Barlow has been identified with the institution of which he is now the chief executive officer. He has ever recognized the fact that the bank is most worthy of credit and support which most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors, and he has therefore avoided everything in the conduct of the business that partook of the nature of an unwarranted risk. He is also a director of the United States Trust Company of Omaha. 

On the 19th of December, 1867, Mr. Barlow was married to Miss Mary Hays, who died in 1885, and in 1894 he wedded Sarah M. McClintock at Riverside, Illinois. His only daughter, Ollie, died in 1878 at the age of eight years. His son, Milton F. Barlow, was born in January, 1905. 

In politics Mr. Barlow is a republican, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was appointed a member of the Omaha water board by the governor of Nebraska upon the establishment of the board and served as chairman for five or six years. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Ak-Sar-Ben, the Commercial Club, the Omaha Club and the Country Club. Through more than a half century's connection with Omaha's history his has been an unblemished character and with him success in life has been reached by sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle. 

From "Omaha: the Gate City, and Douglas County, Nebraska." 1917