Born Walter Bert Alley, he was to son of Squire Bradford Alley and Mary Belle Pendlay, born in Blue Mound, Lynn County, Kansas, as was his twin sister Opal. Walter changed his name to Ally and went by the name of Bert the remainder of his life.
He was united in marriage to Emma Nead on October 26, 1904, at her father's home in Woodson County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Jared E. Nead and Louisa Beal. She was born in Jewell County, Kansas.
Siblings included, in addition to Opal, Sadie Katherine, Cora A, Oliver Nolan, Earnest C., Maude NH., Jennie E, Henry Josiah, and Dewey A. Alley. Bert is the only one to adopt the Ally last name.
Bert and Emma had two children: Wilma Katy Ally and Flossie Opal Ally Scofield. Flossie married James Francis Scofield on June 1, 1931 and he preceded her in death January 21, 1954.
According to Bert, the first car he ever sold was the new Brush, a motorized carriage with a bent rod to steer it. He then sold Maxwell automobiles he said, and he had a Star truck in his collection that he said was also a brand he sold early on.
In 1910 he started a Ford dealership in Coyville, home of his parents, later moving it to Fredonia and then to Neodesha. He operated Bert Ally Ford until October of 1965, when he retired.
The Pictures shown here:
Top: This picture was taken, as one other was, at the Bert Alley Ford dealership's 2nd & Main Street used car lot. Bert is standing with his car collection at the time in 1960. He later acquired a 1927 Model T in mint condition and a 1915 Model T convertible, red with black leather interior. These replaced the usual new Ford cars in the showroom and were relegated to the used car lot.
The second picture shown, damaged though it is, was unique in the history of Neodesha photography. It was taken on North 4th street with a background of Bill Bornhouser's home and the "Ohio House" hotel. An item from the Daily Sun of April 15, 1917, throws light on the over-loaded "Whoopie":
"Bert Alley loaded a Ford touring car down with 3,600 pounds of human flesh last Saturday afternoon and, as an advertisement for his cars, paraded up and down Main Street, and had a picture taken of the load."
Not all of the riders can be named, but included in the "load" were Charles Cohee, Rolla Taylor, Russell Hicks, Allen Colyar, Fred Sweeney, Willis Robinson, Nile Upson, James Newberry and Harry Wilson. The girl seated on the running board (Joe Allen says 'I am guessing') was Bert's daughter, Flossie - now in charge at the Rankin library. The smooth-treaded tires on the Model T must have been well inflated.
Bert Alley, Ford dealer in Neodesha for around 50 years, came here from Fredonia in 1915, and opened his agency in the former Adamson Dept store building on Fourth Street - it stood on the lot now occupied by Jerry Goodwin's "Lantern" Cafe. (Kerry: Later 'The Green Lantern Cafe')
On the morning of Dec. 15, 1915, Bert and some cronies were playing cards in the rear room when fire destroyed Ed Moline's "O.K. Livery" barn, just across the alley¬way, with the loss of 17 head of horses. "When the blaze scorched the back door of our place, "Bert related later, "We talked about moving out—but never got around to it."
The third picture: Bert opened his new Ford car dealership on 4th Avenue in 1922. Bert is standing beside a brand new Model T. The car at the left was the "Phaeton" model, a two-seater with retractable top. From Joe Allen's "It paid to Advertize" article in the Neodesha Daily Sun Feb. 17, 1970.
The fourth picture is of one of the metal badges that adorned only his "demo" car each year. He would sell this car and buy the new model. His used car always sold at a premium and usually had a waiting list of buyers.
He was a long-time Neodesha advocate and enjoyed meeting and talking to his many friends and customers on the used car lot at 2nd and Main from his green metal lawn chair. His love for anything motorized, particularly Fords, resulted in him collecting many early cars and trucks, from a 1915 Model T to mid-1940's cars. Upon retiring he moved much of his collection to his home at 413 Mill Street in Neodesha.
Bert was blind in one eye but possessed strong vision. He was unable to walk normally and would slowly shuffle between the Office and the used car lot. Contrary to rumors, Bert did not have a new car from each year stashed away somewhere. He drove well into his 80's, always at about 5 miles an hour. I (Kerry Elkins) enjoyed taking him in parades in one of his Model A Fords and on trips to bank in Coyville where his parents had lived. His voice was weak but his will was strong.
After he hired my father, Esley "Junior" Elkins, in 1959, his dealership became one of the top selling agencies in the Kansas City Ford district, ranking 10th to 25th.
Bert passed away at the Pedigo Rest Home in Independence June 8, 1969, too far from his friends and family to visit him, and he was buried in the Neodesha City Cemetery.
The above by Kerry Elkins.
Note:Bert employed me to wash cars in 1960 for 25 cents an hour, 20 hours a week. He taught me how to drive a Model T Ford. He let me work for him even after he retired to have me keep his fleet of antique cars running in his back yard. He placed his used Hudson close to the house because he liked to look out and see all the chrome shining back at him. I eventually made $1.25 an hour working in the office under the direction of his daughter, Flossie Scofield. Without their support I would have been unable to attend college.
He was united in marriage to Emma Nead on October 26, 1904, at her father's home in Woodson County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Jared E. Nead and Louisa Beal. She was born in Jewell County, Kansas.
Siblings included, in addition to Opal, Sadie Katherine, Cora A, Oliver Nolan, Earnest C., Maude NH., Jennie E, Henry Josiah, and Dewey A. Alley. Bert is the only one to adopt the Ally last name.
Bert and Emma had two children: Wilma Katy Ally and Flossie Opal Ally Scofield. Flossie married James Francis Scofield on June 1, 1931 and he preceded her in death January 21, 1954.
According to Bert, the first car he ever sold was the new Brush, a motorized carriage with a bent rod to steer it. He then sold Maxwell automobiles he said, and he had a Star truck in his collection that he said was also a brand he sold early on.
In 1910 he started a Ford dealership in Coyville, home of his parents, later moving it to Fredonia and then to Neodesha. He operated Bert Ally Ford until October of 1965, when he retired.
The Pictures shown here:
Top: This picture was taken, as one other was, at the Bert Alley Ford dealership's 2nd & Main Street used car lot. Bert is standing with his car collection at the time in 1960. He later acquired a 1927 Model T in mint condition and a 1915 Model T convertible, red with black leather interior. These replaced the usual new Ford cars in the showroom and were relegated to the used car lot.
The second picture shown, damaged though it is, was unique in the history of Neodesha photography. It was taken on North 4th street with a background of Bill Bornhouser's home and the "Ohio House" hotel. An item from the Daily Sun of April 15, 1917, throws light on the over-loaded "Whoopie":
"Bert Alley loaded a Ford touring car down with 3,600 pounds of human flesh last Saturday afternoon and, as an advertisement for his cars, paraded up and down Main Street, and had a picture taken of the load."
Not all of the riders can be named, but included in the "load" were Charles Cohee, Rolla Taylor, Russell Hicks, Allen Colyar, Fred Sweeney, Willis Robinson, Nile Upson, James Newberry and Harry Wilson. The girl seated on the running board (Joe Allen says 'I am guessing') was Bert's daughter, Flossie - now in charge at the Rankin library. The smooth-treaded tires on the Model T must have been well inflated.
Bert Alley, Ford dealer in Neodesha for around 50 years, came here from Fredonia in 1915, and opened his agency in the former Adamson Dept store building on Fourth Street - it stood on the lot now occupied by Jerry Goodwin's "Lantern" Cafe. (Kerry: Later 'The Green Lantern Cafe')
On the morning of Dec. 15, 1915, Bert and some cronies were playing cards in the rear room when fire destroyed Ed Moline's "O.K. Livery" barn, just across the alley¬way, with the loss of 17 head of horses. "When the blaze scorched the back door of our place, "Bert related later, "We talked about moving out—but never got around to it."
The third picture: Bert opened his new Ford car dealership on 4th Avenue in 1922. Bert is standing beside a brand new Model T. The car at the left was the "Phaeton" model, a two-seater with retractable top. From Joe Allen's "It paid to Advertize" article in the Neodesha Daily Sun Feb. 17, 1970.
The fourth picture is of one of the metal badges that adorned only his "demo" car each year. He would sell this car and buy the new model. His used car always sold at a premium and usually had a waiting list of buyers.
He was a long-time Neodesha advocate and enjoyed meeting and talking to his many friends and customers on the used car lot at 2nd and Main from his green metal lawn chair. His love for anything motorized, particularly Fords, resulted in him collecting many early cars and trucks, from a 1915 Model T to mid-1940's cars. Upon retiring he moved much of his collection to his home at 413 Mill Street in Neodesha.
Bert was blind in one eye but possessed strong vision. He was unable to walk normally and would slowly shuffle between the Office and the used car lot. Contrary to rumors, Bert did not have a new car from each year stashed away somewhere. He drove well into his 80's, always at about 5 miles an hour. I (Kerry Elkins) enjoyed taking him in parades in one of his Model A Fords and on trips to bank in Coyville where his parents had lived. His voice was weak but his will was strong.
After he hired my father, Esley "Junior" Elkins, in 1959, his dealership became one of the top selling agencies in the Kansas City Ford district, ranking 10th to 25th.
Bert passed away at the Pedigo Rest Home in Independence June 8, 1969, too far from his friends and family to visit him, and he was buried in the Neodesha City Cemetery.
The above by Kerry Elkins.
Note:Bert employed me to wash cars in 1960 for 25 cents an hour, 20 hours a week. He taught me how to drive a Model T Ford. He let me work for him even after he retired to have me keep his fleet of antique cars running in his back yard. He placed his used Hudson close to the house because he liked to look out and see all the chrome shining back at him. I eventually made $1.25 an hour working in the office under the direction of his daughter, Flossie Scofield. Without their support I would have been unable to attend college.
Born Walter Bert Alley, he was to son of Squire Bradford Alley and Mary Belle Pendlay, born in Blue Mound, Lynn County, Kansas, as was his twin sister Opal. Walter changed his name to Ally and went by the name of Bert the remainder of his life.
He was united in marriage to Emma Nead on October 26, 1904, at her father's home in Woodson County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Jared E. Nead and Louisa Beal. She was born in Jewell County, Kansas.
Siblings included, in addition to Opal, Sadie Katherine, Cora A, Oliver Nolan, Earnest C., Maude NH., Jennie E, Henry Josiah, and Dewey A. Alley. Bert is the only one to adopt the Ally last name.
Bert and Emma had two children: Wilma Katy Ally and Flossie Opal Ally Scofield. Flossie married James Francis Scofield on June 1, 1931 and he preceded her in death January 21, 1954.
According to Bert, the first car he ever sold was the new Brush, a motorized carriage with a bent rod to steer it. He then sold Maxwell automobiles he said, and he had a Star truck in his collection that he said was also a brand he sold early on.
In 1910 he started a Ford dealership in Coyville, home of his parents, later moving it to Fredonia and then to Neodesha. He operated Bert Ally Ford until October of 1965, when he retired.
The Pictures shown here:
Top: This picture was taken, as one other was, at the Bert Alley Ford dealership's 2nd & Main Street used car lot. Bert is standing with his car collection at the time in 1960. He later acquired a 1927 Model T in mint condition and a 1915 Model T convertible, red with black leather interior. These replaced the usual new Ford cars in the showroom and were relegated to the used car lot.
The second picture shown, damaged though it is, was unique in the history of Neodesha photography. It was taken on North 4th street with a background of Bill Bornhouser's home and the "Ohio House" hotel. An item from the Daily Sun of April 15, 1917, throws light on the over-loaded "Whoopie":
"Bert Alley loaded a Ford touring car down with 3,600 pounds of human flesh last Saturday afternoon and, as an advertisement for his cars, paraded up and down Main Street, and had a picture taken of the load."
Not all of the riders can be named, but included in the "load" were Charles Cohee, Rolla Taylor, Russell Hicks, Allen Colyar, Fred Sweeney, Willis Robinson, Nile Upson, James Newberry and Harry Wilson. The girl seated on the running board (Joe Allen says 'I am guessing') was Bert's daughter, Flossie - now in charge at the Rankin library. The smooth-treaded tires on the Model T must have been well inflated.
Bert Alley, Ford dealer in Neodesha for around 50 years, came here from Fredonia in 1915, and opened his agency in the former Adamson Dept store building on Fourth Street - it stood on the lot now occupied by Jerry Goodwin's "Lantern" Cafe. (Kerry: Later 'The Green Lantern Cafe')
On the morning of Dec. 15, 1915, Bert and some cronies were playing cards in the rear room when fire destroyed Ed Moline's "O.K. Livery" barn, just across the alley¬way, with the loss of 17 head of horses. "When the blaze scorched the back door of our place, "Bert related later, "We talked about moving out—but never got around to it."
The third picture: Bert opened his new Ford car dealership on 4th Avenue in 1922. Bert is standing beside a brand new Model T. The car at the left was the "Phaeton" model, a two-seater with retractable top. From Joe Allen's "It paid to Advertize" article in the Neodesha Daily Sun Feb. 17, 1970.
The fourth picture is of one of the metal badges that adorned only his "demo" car each year. He would sell this car and buy the new model. His used car always sold at a premium and usually had a waiting list of buyers.
He was a long-time Neodesha advocate and enjoyed meeting and talking to his many friends and customers on the used car lot at 2nd and Main from his green metal lawn chair. His love for anything motorized, particularly Fords, resulted in him collecting many early cars and trucks, from a 1915 Model T to mid-1940's cars. Upon retiring he moved much of his collection to his home at 413 Mill Street in Neodesha.
Bert was blind in one eye but possessed strong vision. He was unable to walk normally and would slowly shuffle between the Office and the used car lot. Contrary to rumors, Bert did not have a new car from each year stashed away somewhere. He drove well into his 80's, always at about 5 miles an hour. I (Kerry Elkins) enjoyed taking him in parades in one of his Model A Fords and on trips to bank in Coyville where his parents had lived. His voice was weak but his will was strong.
After he hired my father, Esley "Junior" Elkins, in 1959, his dealership became one of the top selling agencies in the Kansas City Ford district, ranking 10th to 25th.
Bert passed away at the Pedigo Rest Home in Independence June 8, 1969, too far from his friends and family to visit him, and he was buried in the Neodesha City Cemetery.
The above by Kerry Elkins.
Note:Bert employed me to wash cars in 1960 for 25 cents an hour, 20 hours a week. He taught me how to drive a Model T Ford. He let me work for him even after he retired to have me keep his fleet of antique cars running in his back yard. He placed his used Hudson close to the house because he liked to look out and see all the chrome shining back at him. I eventually made $1.25 an hour working in the office under the direction of his daughter, Flossie Scofield. Without their support I would have been unable to attend college.
He was united in marriage to Emma Nead on October 26, 1904, at her father's home in Woodson County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Jared E. Nead and Louisa Beal. She was born in Jewell County, Kansas.
Siblings included, in addition to Opal, Sadie Katherine, Cora A, Oliver Nolan, Earnest C., Maude NH., Jennie E, Henry Josiah, and Dewey A. Alley. Bert is the only one to adopt the Ally last name.
Bert and Emma had two children: Wilma Katy Ally and Flossie Opal Ally Scofield. Flossie married James Francis Scofield on June 1, 1931 and he preceded her in death January 21, 1954.
According to Bert, the first car he ever sold was the new Brush, a motorized carriage with a bent rod to steer it. He then sold Maxwell automobiles he said, and he had a Star truck in his collection that he said was also a brand he sold early on.
In 1910 he started a Ford dealership in Coyville, home of his parents, later moving it to Fredonia and then to Neodesha. He operated Bert Ally Ford until October of 1965, when he retired.
The Pictures shown here:
Top: This picture was taken, as one other was, at the Bert Alley Ford dealership's 2nd & Main Street used car lot. Bert is standing with his car collection at the time in 1960. He later acquired a 1927 Model T in mint condition and a 1915 Model T convertible, red with black leather interior. These replaced the usual new Ford cars in the showroom and were relegated to the used car lot.
The second picture shown, damaged though it is, was unique in the history of Neodesha photography. It was taken on North 4th street with a background of Bill Bornhouser's home and the "Ohio House" hotel. An item from the Daily Sun of April 15, 1917, throws light on the over-loaded "Whoopie":
"Bert Alley loaded a Ford touring car down with 3,600 pounds of human flesh last Saturday afternoon and, as an advertisement for his cars, paraded up and down Main Street, and had a picture taken of the load."
Not all of the riders can be named, but included in the "load" were Charles Cohee, Rolla Taylor, Russell Hicks, Allen Colyar, Fred Sweeney, Willis Robinson, Nile Upson, James Newberry and Harry Wilson. The girl seated on the running board (Joe Allen says 'I am guessing') was Bert's daughter, Flossie - now in charge at the Rankin library. The smooth-treaded tires on the Model T must have been well inflated.
Bert Alley, Ford dealer in Neodesha for around 50 years, came here from Fredonia in 1915, and opened his agency in the former Adamson Dept store building on Fourth Street - it stood on the lot now occupied by Jerry Goodwin's "Lantern" Cafe. (Kerry: Later 'The Green Lantern Cafe')
On the morning of Dec. 15, 1915, Bert and some cronies were playing cards in the rear room when fire destroyed Ed Moline's "O.K. Livery" barn, just across the alley¬way, with the loss of 17 head of horses. "When the blaze scorched the back door of our place, "Bert related later, "We talked about moving out—but never got around to it."
The third picture: Bert opened his new Ford car dealership on 4th Avenue in 1922. Bert is standing beside a brand new Model T. The car at the left was the "Phaeton" model, a two-seater with retractable top. From Joe Allen's "It paid to Advertize" article in the Neodesha Daily Sun Feb. 17, 1970.
The fourth picture is of one of the metal badges that adorned only his "demo" car each year. He would sell this car and buy the new model. His used car always sold at a premium and usually had a waiting list of buyers.
He was a long-time Neodesha advocate and enjoyed meeting and talking to his many friends and customers on the used car lot at 2nd and Main from his green metal lawn chair. His love for anything motorized, particularly Fords, resulted in him collecting many early cars and trucks, from a 1915 Model T to mid-1940's cars. Upon retiring he moved much of his collection to his home at 413 Mill Street in Neodesha.
Bert was blind in one eye but possessed strong vision. He was unable to walk normally and would slowly shuffle between the Office and the used car lot. Contrary to rumors, Bert did not have a new car from each year stashed away somewhere. He drove well into his 80's, always at about 5 miles an hour. I (Kerry Elkins) enjoyed taking him in parades in one of his Model A Fords and on trips to bank in Coyville where his parents had lived. His voice was weak but his will was strong.
After he hired my father, Esley "Junior" Elkins, in 1959, his dealership became one of the top selling agencies in the Kansas City Ford district, ranking 10th to 25th.
Bert passed away at the Pedigo Rest Home in Independence June 8, 1969, too far from his friends and family to visit him, and he was buried in the Neodesha City Cemetery.
The above by Kerry Elkins.
Note:Bert employed me to wash cars in 1960 for 25 cents an hour, 20 hours a week. He taught me how to drive a Model T Ford. He let me work for him even after he retired to have me keep his fleet of antique cars running in his back yard. He placed his used Hudson close to the house because he liked to look out and see all the chrome shining back at him. I eventually made $1.25 an hour working in the office under the direction of his daughter, Flossie Scofield. Without their support I would have been unable to attend college.
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