Barbur Floral Co.

Jim was born on June 22, 1897 at Exeter to Edward J. and Lillian Horne Barbur.
Died Oct. 7, 1977 in Geneva, NE
Married to Mary Louise Volz on July 17, 1918 in Friend, NE.
Parents of four children: Delores, James V., Mary, and Charles
Jim farmed near Exeter.
In 1923 Jim had a farm sale and moved to Lincoln to work for Frey and Frey, where he learned the basics of greenhouse operation.
Came to Geneva in 1925 to establish Barbur Floral Co.
Purchased the property and nursery of Fred Eaton.

In 1926 they built another greenhouse.
They sold vegetable plants to six different states.
In 1927, Jim built another greenhouse and installed a boiler for heat.
In 1928, two more greenhouses were built.
In 1929, the crash caused problems for Jim. He began to sell cabbage seedlings to Guerney Nursery.
In the late 1930’s Jim experimented with the production of off season chrysanthemums.
Jim and Louise made some floral designs that had not been seen in Central Nebraska.
Charles was born February 10, 1931.
In 1938, Jim leased the Ellsworth Greenhouses in Grand Island. He and his daughter Delores ran this for one year.
A hailstorm in 1941 destroyed the glass in the greenhouses and all the flowers therein.
After the war, they built a new office and design area. The following year, expanding the design area.
He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Member of Lodge No. 79
Member of Geneva Lodge No. 180,
Member of Geneva Lodge no. 65
Member of Stotzenberg Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Sesostris Shrine.
He was a member of the school board.
He was a city council member and mayor.
Director of Nebraska State Florist society
Volunteer fireman.
He and Louise were avid square dancers.
Charles attended Doane and traveled with the Doane singers.

In 1954, their son Charles joined them in the business.
They learned to improve their soil by sterilizing it.
In 1957, Charles was married to Sharon Elizabeth Stewart on Nov. 10.
Charles and his wife Sharon joined the firm.
Charles and Sharon were parents to three children: Lorri, Charles Jr, and Robert.
In 1960, Jim and Louise retired.
In 1961, they built two quonsets.

In 1961, they built two quonsets.
Delores Votipka, Charles Sr.’s sister, joined the firm in 1964 and served as office manager until her death in 1984.
In 1974, they stopped producing cut flowers and only potted plants were grown.
In 1975, Charles Barbur Jr. and Dean Waldron joined the firm.
Barbur Floral celebrated 80 years in business.
Charlie Sr. was past master of Geneva Lodge No. 79 and Past member of the Sesostris Shrine
Charlie Sr. was a 60-year member of the First Congregational Church of Christ.
Charlie Sr. Geneva Volunteer Fire Department and the Geneva Lions Club.
Charlie Sr. was a member of the Nebraska Florist Society.
In 2006, Barbur Floral was sold to Charles Jr. and Deb Barbur.
Barbur Floral Co. continues as one of Geneva’s longtime businesses.

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