Frank J. Latenser (1890-1973), Architect
PENDING REVISION Frank J. Latenser was born in Omaha, Nebraska on June 20, 1890 to John and Anna Nestor Latenser. He was educated at Omaha Central High School, and graduated from the Columbia University School of Architecture in 1914 From 1913-1914, Latenser was an architect for offices on the east coast, then joined his father’s firm, John Latenser & Sons, in Omaha. Latenser served in World War I from 1917-1919 as Chief Hull Inspector for the U.S. Shipping Board in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.[3][5][9]
Latenser played an active role in his community holding membership in the American Institute of Architects, the Nebraska Engineering Society, Omaha Engineers Club, and the “C of C.”[3] Additionally, Latenser was a Life Member of the Nebraska Engineers Society, President of the Nebraska Historical Society in 1961, and President of the AIA Nebraska Architects Association in 1955. Latenser died January 23, 1973, survived by his wife, Alma Seymour Latenser, whom he married in December of 1920, and his sons: James S., of Spokane, Washington; Frank N., of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; and his brother, John Jr., of Omaha, Nebraska.[2][5][8][9]
Misc temp notes: former president of the Ad-Sell League, member of the board and past president of the Nebraska State Historical Society [1951-1972], member of the State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Architects (appointed 1959), board member of the Joslyn Art Museum, the State Capitol Murals Commission, , and the Nebraska Centennial Commission. Survived by his wife of over 50 years, Alma Seymour Latenser, sons James S. and Frank N, brother John, Jr., and eight grandchildren.[9:clipping]
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.
Contents
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 (With Latenser & Sons, 1929-1932; independent builder thereafter.)
Educational & Professional Associations
1904-1908: Central High School, Omaha, Nebraska.[9]
1909-1914: Columbia University School of Architecture (degree, June 1914), New York, New York.[1][9]
1912-1914: member, Atelier Hastings, New York, New York.[9][d]
1914-1920: architect and partner, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.[9][e]
1920: Registered Professional Architect, Iowa, #169.[9]
1921-1937: architect, vice president & secretary, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.
1938: Registered Professional Architect, Nebraska, March 1, 1938, A-50.[4][9]
1938-1963: architect and secretary-treasurer, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.
1955-1956: president, AIA Nebraska.[6]
1959-1964: architect member, State Board of Examiners for Engineers and Architects.
1964-1966: architect and president, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.
1967-1971: architect, John Latenser & Sons, Omaha, Nebraska.
1971: retired, Omaha, Nebraska.[a]
Principal Works
Omaha Athletic Club (1917), 1714 Douglas, Omaha, Nebraska.[12] (DO09:0124-004)
Frank Latenser house (ca. 1930-1931), 4014 N Post Road, Omaha, Nebraska. (DO09:0381-001)
Federal Reserve (1955), Omaha Branch Bank, Omaha, Nebraska.[5]
International Paper Company, Warehouse (1958), Omaha, Nebraska.[5]
Northern Natural Gas Company, Home Office (1958), Omaha, Nebraska[5]
Omaha University Applied Arts Building (1959), Omaha, Nebraska.[5]
University of Nebraska, College of Medicine (1960), Omaha, Nebraska.[5]
Children’s Hospital (1960), Omaha, Nebraska[5]
Douglas County Hospital (1966), Omaha, Nebraska[5]
University of Nebraska Science Building (1969), Omaha, Nebraska.[5]
Other Attributed Works
Elgin State Bank (1909) and row of commercial buildings, southeast corner 2nd & Pine, Elgin, Nebraska.[7:61ff][b] (AP03-046)
First National Bank of Elgin (1910), northeast corner 2nd & Pine, Elgin, Nebraska. (AP03-047)
Logan Hotel and commercial building (1910), Elgin, Nebraska.[7:61][b]
George Seymour "Plantation" House (1916), Elgin, Nebraska.[7:62ff][b] (AP03-045)
Elgin School (1924), Elgin, Nebraska.[c] (AP03-015)
Elgin School (1935), Elgin, Nebraska.[c] (AP03-015)
Undated
University of Nebraska, Office of Administration (n.d.), Omaha, Nebraska.[2]
Notes
a. Last registered in Nebraska, 1973.[9]
b. George Seymour was Frank Latenser's father-in-law, and president of the Elgin State Bank. Several of Latenser's commissions in Elgin were the result of his association with the Seymour family.[7:61ff]
c. The only Elgin School that appears in the Latenser office files is circa dated 1912; see the listing for John L. Latenser (1858-1936), Architect.
d. This is probably reference to the New York architect, Thomas Hastings (1860-1929), partner in the firm of Carrère & Hastings, and a proponent of the atelier system of education.[11]
e. Frank, and John Latenser, Jr., assume "active direction" of the firm, John Latenser & Sons. The founder of the firm, John L. Latenser "remained as advisor, critic, and coordinator."[10]
References
1. “Tuesday Rite Is Scheduled For Architect,” Omaha (Evening) World Herald (January 22, 1973), 30:8.
2. “F. Latenser Dies in Omaha; Rites Tuesday,” Lincoln Journal (January 23, 1973), 13:5.
3. “Frank J. Latenser,” Who’s Who in Nebraska (Lincoln: Nebraska Press Association, 1940), 353.
4. “Searchable Roster of Licensees: Former Licensees,” Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects, CD, 2003.
5. The AIA Historical Directory of American Architects, s.v. “Latenser, Frank,” (ahd1025714), http://public.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki (accessed May 25, 2010).
6. The Oculus: Bimonthly Newsletter of AIA Nebraska 2001:4 (July-August 2001): [4]. Accessed March 20, 2016. http://www.aiane.org/downloads/ne-architect/2001/01July_Aug.pdf
7. John Kay, et al. Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey: Reconnaissance Survey Final Report of Antelope County, Nebraska. (Lincoln: Save America's Heritage, August 31, 1990).
8. “Latenser,” Omaha World Herald (January 23, 1973), 32:1.
9. "Frank Latenser," Application for Registration to Practice Professional Engineering and Architecture, Nebraska State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Architects, December 31, 1937. Nebraska State Historical Society RG081 SG2.
10. "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.
11. Newton A. Wells, et al. "Architectural Education," The Architect & Contract Reporter (October 30, 1908): 284. Accessed August 4, 2016 via Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=cl4_AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PR49-IA5&lpg=RA1-PR49-IA5&dq=architect+atelier+hastings&source=bl&ots=GNh-goI_vk&sig=HrjofiTO4WWvTAwFjnZ3PBDpaZI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-tOjSzajOAhUJw4MKHf-QAN8Q6AEIPDAF#v=onepage&q=architect%20atelier%20hastings&f=false
12. Omaha World Herald (January 21, 1917).
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Page Citation
D. Murphy, “Frank J. Latenser (1890-1973), Architect,” 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, November 21, 2024.
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