Bios.Tulsa,OK LAHMAN, Roscoe D. ======================================================================= USGenWeb NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ====================================================================== Posted by Carolyn Smith Burns on Thu, 16 Dec 1999 Surname: LAHMAN, DIEHL, ELK, WARNICK ROSCOE D. LAHMAN Vol. 3, p. 1022, 1023 One of the important business establishments of the City of Tulsa is that of the Middle West Baking Company, the largest institution of its kind in Oklahoma. Ably conducted, with the latest of modern equipment, it is doing an extensive wholesale business not only in Tulsa, but in surrounding towns in Oklahoma and neighboring states. It is a valuable contribution to the business activities and civic standards of this thriving Oklahoma city. Its president, Roscoe D. Lahman, is recognized as progressive, liberal, public spirited business man. To him is due consideration in this work as one of the representative men in the vigorous young commonwealth where he has identified himself closely with both civic and business interests. Mr. Lahman has lived in Oklahoma since 1902, in which year he came to Vinita, Indian Territory. While not a pioneer, he had a taste of that life. He came before the "intruder" was forgotten, before the feeling against the business man from the "States" was entirely obliterated, before the Cherokee lands were allotted and roads laid out. He drove much over the Cherokee country when all roads led to a gate and "Take the main traveled road" was the direction given at every turkey-foot intersection, when bridges were almost unknown and a ford often a risky venture even if one knew his horses could swim. He loved this life in the open, however. Its newness charmed him, and when in 1904 the oil excitement was on in Bartlesville he was soon there to stay. Though a novice in that business, he was ready to take chances with "lease" and "contest" and to familiarize himself with oil from the bit at the top of the hole to the gauger's "thief," where it passed from his possession. He has never lost his interest in oil and is still in the business as a producer. He and Mrs. Lahman came near having to tent this spring in Bartlesville. The purchase of a lot on which was a small two-roomed house alone saved them that experience. They had hot and cold water - the hot on the cook stove, the cold three blocks away. Rubber boots were a necessity, for the mud was everywhere sticky and deep. A sturdy, growing village, clinging to old customs, hesitating to give way to the changes its prosperity must bring. Negroes had never been allowed to reside here. A few servants and porters were being brought in, though their employers knew there was a strong feeling against this innovation. Bartlesville, on the other hand, was already planning that with the allotting of the land it must become the county seat. This could not be while this prejudice existed and the negro could refuse to submit to trial in her courts. The climax came with the importation of negro laborers to help in ditching for sewers. A mob met them on their arrival. They were driven out, not even allowed to wait for transportation. Elated with success, the mob decided all negroes should leave, and moved to a prominent drug store, demanding its porter. He did not appear and when a move was made to enter the store and search for him, its proprietor stepped into the open door, revolver in hand and determinedly announced he would hoot the first man who tried to cross the threshold. Then the seriousness of the situation began to be felt. A false step, a careless work, and who could foretell the result? For an hour that druggist faced the jeering mob, but no man moved to enter the store. They next went to the Right Way Hotel, then the largest in town, where a like reception waited them from one of its proprietors. Somewhat discouraged, they disbanded to meet the next night, when a complete riddance of all negroes was to be made. Very early the next morning the United States marshal was in town, declaring enforcement of the law and protection to all. The leaders of the mob did not wait to explain to him, but departed even more suddenly and quietly than the frightened negroes who left by every train during that exciting night. But such conditions were not for long. Law and order prevailed. A pretentious business building soon wiped out the little home. Like magic a modern city arose and spread itself over the surrounding prairie. Mr. Lahman took part in the struggle for the statehood, single or double, and while he worked for single statehood it was with a feeling akin to loss that he found himself in Oklahoma and the Indian Territory gone forever. He will never forget the first evening of statehood in Bartlesville. With Mrs. Lahman he attended the exercises held in honor of that event in the beautiful new opera house. They stepped from this room of light and rejoicing to a dimly lighted, quickly crowded street where men stood with bared heads and spoke only in whispers; the stillness broken only by a woman wailing over her dying husband. What had happened? Who was hurt? A "joint" in a barn across the road, whose keeper had boasted defiance to state law, had been visited by two ex-officers. A bullet from the proprietor's revolver greeted them, followed by a general exchange of shots. When all was over a loved young officer of the territorial days lay dead and one of the most notorious outlaws of the state had left his bar forever. A strange commingling of sorrow and satisfaction ended this first day of statehood, but the morrow's sun rose clear and bright on Oklahoma. Roscoe D. Lahman was born in Franklin Grove, Illinois, July 17, 1862, the third son of Joseph C. and Lorenda (DIEHL) Lahman, both of whom were native of Pennsylvania, of German and Dutch lineage. While a boy Joseph C. Lahman with his parents made the long overland journey with team and wagon to Illinois, when a claim was taken, a home established, and the Lahman household became an influential center in the "Dunkard" settlement then forming. Joseph C. Lahman was a miller, a successful farmer and stock raiser, a man of lofty integrity and strong mentality, a zealous member of the Brethren Church, which like his father before him, he served as local preacher. His children was reared in the sturdy discipline of the home farm, given every advantage of the district school and later sent to Mount Morris College, of which institution Joseph C. Lahman was one of the trustees. Five boys and three girls went out from this busy Christian home to honor the father and mother, and each one to add to the intellectual and moral worth of the community in which he lived. R. D. Lahman began his business career as a clerk in a grocery store in Dixon, Illinois. He soon had a general store of his own in Iowa, and a few years later found him in his home town in Illinois in the same business with his brother Frank as partner. In 1899 they became interested in Oklahoma, with their youngest brother Charles established an ice plant in Stillwater, where Frank E. Lahman has since resided. He has built the original business up to extensive proportions and established plants in other towns. Having secured a controlling interest in the Vinita Ice and Light Plant, Charles E. Lahman took charge of this business and eventually built one of the best equipped plants of its kind in the state. On the sale of this plant the brothers became interested in the establishment of a modern sanitary bakery in Tulsa. Roscoe and Charles moved to this city, and the building and equipment of the Middle West Baking Company, with its superior product, Middle West bread, are the result, a success of which they may be justly proud. In politics Mr. Lahman is a republican, but men and measures are of more importance to him than party. He is a man of simple tastes, big hearted, sympathetic, possessing that peculiar love for children that the child instinctively recognizes and trusts, with an inexhaustible supply of good cheer that has helped him through many difficulties. By his first marriage he has one daughter, Jessie, now Mrs. John R. ELK of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanian. In February, 1902, Mr. Lahman was married to Miss Anna WARNICK, who like him was born and reared in Lee County, Illinois. She is a woman of education and ability, a companion with whom Oklahoma has been to him not only the "beautiful land" of the Indian but the happy land of home. Transcribed and submitted by Carolyn Smith Burns on December 15, 1999.