OLLIE E. BERG OF OMAHA DIES

Ollie E. Berg of Omaha died at his home in that city last Tuesday afternoon. While he is considered an Omaha pioneer business man, Mr. Berg served his apprenticeship in the retail business in Blair.

He married Miss Gertrude Selleck, daughter of Charles Selleck, who is a Washington county product.

The 75 year old clothier had been in failing health since an operation April 19.

At the time of his death he was president of the Berg Clothing Co., 421 S. 16th street. He had been in the clothing business for 35 years.

Mr. Berg was born in Norway in 1862, and came to this country in 1879, five years after his parents died. The 17 year old orphan landed in New York City and made his way to Blair, Nebraska where he obtained a farmhand job at $12 a month.

Farm life did not appeal to him, however, so he quit the farm after a little more than a year and took a job as a “drummer” for an early Omaha wholesale company. He left that company to become a traveling salesman for the David Adler Co., a Milwaukee wholesale clothing house.

He returned to Omaha in 1902 and with the late John A. Swanson, formed the Berg-Swanson Clothing co.

In 1907 the company became the Berg Clothing co. and about 10 years ago moved from its location in the old Continental block at 15th and Douglas Sts., to its present location.

Mr. Berg was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Ak-Sar-Ben, and the Elks lodge of Omaha.

Surviving are his wife, Gertrude, and Einar Berg, a nephew associated with him in the clothing firm.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #110834813