Jeff Rothlisberger, Owner,
14542 West Center Road
Omaha, NE

Brick work on the old Ben Franklin building was done by the father of Philip Sheridan "Sherry" Moore. Sherry Moore was the father of Ruth Blanchard.

"His father was a brick mansion . . . who built . . . Dana Old Main, the State Bank building (now Huber Building), the present Ben Franklin building, Pilot Tribute, F.O.E. building and others. WC History Book Page 128 (Blancharad Story)

The SAS Store -- Blair There's a lot of Blair History of this store and its location.  The oldest part of the history goes with the location, for the first store on the corner now occupied by the large, two-story brick occupied by the Sas Store was started by J.W. Newell and George Smith, whose widow still lives here in Blair, in 1869.  Later it passed into the hands of Ed Cook and his son-in-law, O.V. Palmer.  After the death of Mr. Palmer Ed Cook, Sr., and his two sons, Chas. and Ed, Jr., ran it until it burned down.

William F. Sas, who had been in the harness business at Woodbine, Ia., came over here in the late 90s and worked for J. Estaque in a general store.  In 1891 his brother, Rudolph, who had been on a farm near Logan, sold out and the two brothers bought out Haller Bro., Frank and Theodore, who were located in the building now occupied by the Larsen Bros. store.

In 1897 the large store building now occupied by the Sas Store was build by John, Fred and Rudlph Sas, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Sas Bros.  William F. left Blair at that time and located at Wisner.  John left the partnership in 1900 and went to Pender.

After the death of Rudolph on Aug. 9, 1910, his son, William J. took his place in the firm with Fred, and in 1921 Fred retired and Willam J. Sas has since conducted the business.

He was born near Logan, Ia, Feb 4, 1884, and his father moved to Blair before he was of school age, so he attended the grade school here and spent three years in high school, completing his schooling with one year at Dana college.

He was married June 15th,, 1910, to Della Henderson, daughter of J.W. Henderson, formerly county superintendent of the schools of this county, and they have two daughters, Marie and Kathryn.  Miss Marie is now the very efficient bookkeeper for her father in the store, and Kathryn is now at home.

SAS, WILLIAM J: Merchant; b Magnolia, Ia Feb 4, 1884; s of Rudolph Sas-Minnie Michael; ed Blair HS; Dana Coll, 1904; m Della Henderson June 15, 1910 St Joseph Me; d Marie Helen (Mrs Einer Jensen), Kathryn Miriam; 1891 came to Blair; 1904-10 emp in Sas Bros Mdse Store at Blair, 1910-21 ptr in store after father's death; 1921- owner & mgr W J Sas Gen Mdse Store; C of C; hobbies, fishing, golf; off 201-203 W Washington; res S Walker Ave, Blair.  [ link ]