Albert Naher papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0714

Staff Only

Summary

MS 714 revolves around Albert Naher's work as an inspector, volunteer for the Ground Observer Corp, and his work with the Gem County Historical Society. The files on inspection deal with the standards and regulations surrounding shipping.

Dates

Creation: 1924 - 1987

Biographical Note

Albert Wilhelm Naher was born March 6, 1916 in Emmett, Idaho. His family settled shortly thereafter in Fruitland and began an apple orchard as the family business. His childhood was spent in the fruit business, which helped to establish a passion for agriculture. After completing eighth grade, Naher worked full time on the family farm.

Naher joined the USDA at the time of World War II where he worked as a fruit inspector for ten years. After leaving the USDA, Naher married Emily Block in 1948, and their son, Paul, was born in 1950. Naher also volunteered with a division of the Air Force-the Ground Observer Corp in the years following World War II. In Emmett, he and other volunteers would watch the skies-acting as America's radar.

Naher also accepted a job as a manager for the Stadleman Fruit Packing Plant in Emmett. He remained until a fire destroyed the plant and then moved to begin work at the Gem Canning Company. After leaving the cannery, Naher started his own fruit ranch in Emmett.

In 1969, he rejoined the USDA as an inspector. He worked there until 1981 when he retired. In retirement, Naher was a charter member of the Gem County Historical Society and an honorary member of the Gem County Retired Teachers Association. He died January 31, 1997 in Emmett, Idaho.

Emily Block was born July 22, 1914 in Nebraska. She received her B.S. Degree in Education from Concordia Teachers College in January of 1943. She began teaching in Plainview, Minnesota for the 1943-1944 school year but moved in 1946 to teach at Trinity in Clover/Buhl, Idaho. Emily met Albert soon thereafter, and they were married. Throughout her life in Emmett, Mrs. Naher was an active participant in the community and church. For over 50 years, she was the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church organist. She taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school. Up until 1979, she also taught at Sacred Heart School. For her efforts as a teacher, Mrs. Naher was named the Retired Teacher of the Year for Gem County. She died August 11, 2000.

Extent

2 Cubic Feet (2 record boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

General

Included are numerous inspection notes and handbooks for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Naher's involvement with the Gem Country Horticultural Association and the Gem Canning Company are documented with inspection notes, newspaper clippings, correspondences, and photographs. Naher's work with the Ground Observer Corp is represented in files containing guidebooks on aircraft recognition, his observation schedule, noted sightings, and various copies of aircraft magazines. Also included are certificates and awards honoring his work as a G.O.C. volunteer. A section on Albert Naher's work with the Gem Country Horticultural Society includes a packet sent to the Nahers on the by-laws of the Historical Society and newsletters.

Two other sections were added to the end of MS 714 pertaining to Emily and Paul Naher. The files on Mrs. Naher include news clippings and biographies of retired teachers from the Squaw Butte Retired Teachers Association written by the teachers themselves. Paul Naher's file consists of information from his school career. It includes homemade newspapers, a program from his graduation, a copy of the Emmett Messenger-Index displaying photographs of his graduating high school class, and information regarding his ten and twenty year reunions. Reference books on tree and fruit diseases, identification of fruit insects, and Mr. Naher's stamp for inspection have been incorporated in the end of MS 714 as well.

Processing Information

The collection came in no specific order and was sorted through and grouped by recurring topics. Duplicate copies of stationary and inspection handbooks were discarded while one copy was kept on file. Some of the material originally came in folders that were deteriorating. The material was kept together, however, moved to a new folder noting any pertinent information from the discarded folder on the new one.