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son. His father, who was born at Clarence, Iowa, January 10, 1873, and died at Horconcitos, Panama, July 15, 1915, was a distinguished lawyer and judge of the district courts in Panama Canal Zone. The latter traveled extensively in Venzuela (sic) and South American Countries for several years; his father, the grandfather of Francis Garrison, was a lawyer and capitalist in Dennison, Iowa.
His mother was born in Pennsylvania. She is a direct descendant of the John Brown of Civil War and Abolitionist fame. Mr. Garrison was graduated from the Abraham Lincoln High School at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1915, and in 1918, received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery at Creighton University Dental College where he was a member of Xi Psi Phi. He has practiced dentistry at Oakdale for the past 14 years.
He is a member of the Northeast Nebraska District Dental Society, the Nebraska State Dental Society, and the American Dental Society. Dr. Garrison is a Master Mason, and holds membership in the Royal Arch and Council bodies of that organization. He is a member of the Nebraskana Society, the Republican Party, and the American Legion. During the World War he served as a private, in the Medical Reserve Corps. His sports include bass fishing and hunting.
On May 10, 1930, he was married to Helen A. Hana at Le Mars, Iowa. She was born at Elgin, Nebraska, September 8, 1904. Residence: Oakdale.
Samuel Jefferson Garrison
Samuel Jefferson Garrison, farmer and cattle raiser, was born in Peoria, Illinois, May 25, 1874, son of Lemuel Jefferson and Isabelle (Wayson) Garrison.
The father, born in Ohio, was a soldier in the Civil War, and later a farmer. He died at Burwell, and was closely related to Henry Hudson thru the maternal line. His father was born on the Isle of Man. Isabelle Wayson's father came from England, and married Elizabeth Hunter. She is deceased.
Samuel Jefferson Garrison attended the public schools of Elmwood, Illinois, from which he was graduated on May 15, 1897. He was a member of the track team there, and held the state record of 22.4 for the 220 yard dash.
Since 1890 Mr. Garrison has operated the same farm. He introduced Red Polled cattle in Garfield County, and operated one of the first dairies in his locality. He was married to Luella Isabelle Compton at Burwell on December 29, 1905, and to them were born three children: Rowene, October 27, 1906, who married Ray O. Bissell; Lemuel J., born September 2, 1913; and Linn Compton, born August 2, 1919. Mrs. Garrison was born at Thomastown, Minnesota, August 22, 1885.
The Garrison and Compton families have been farmers as far back as they can be traced. They were all pioneers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska. There are five generations on the mother's side now living, the oldest of each generation being a woman. Four generations reside on the home farm at this time and three generations have attended the local district school.
Mr. Garrison is a member of the First Congregational Church, and was recently made a life member of The Nebraskana Society. During the World War period he recruited skilled labor for the government. Residence: Burwell.
Orlie Robert Garwood
Orlie Robert Garwood, mayor of Ogallala, was born at Marquette, Nebraska, October 2, 1889, son of Miller and Amelia (Austin) Garwood. The father is a native of Pennsylvania, born March 21, 1852. He is a retired farmer, and lives at Aurora. His wife, Amelia, was born in Illinois, May 31, 1852.
Mr. Garwood attended public schools and Aurora Business College in Hamilton County. He has been in the grocery and meat business for a number of years at Ogallala. He was elected on the People's ticket as mayor of Ogallala in 1930, the first mayor to be elected in Ogallala by the people.
On February 22, 1911, he was married to Abbie Jane Mourer at Aurora. She was born at Benkleman, November 2, 1887. Mr. Garwood is a Methodist, a member of the Commercial Club and the Masons. Residence: Ogallala. (Photograph in Album).
John Edward Gaskill
John Edward Gaskill was born at Waverly, Nebraska, September 13, 1879, the son of George Washington and Johanna (Hurley) Gaskill. George Washington Gaskill was born at Bluffton, Ohio, October 20, 1846, and homesteaded near Waverly, in 1869. He is interested in dairying. His family, which was English and Scotch, came from England and settled in Burlington, New Jersey, in the late 1700's.
Johanna Hurley, who was born at Dover, Ohio, April 10, 1852, died at Lincoln, July 6, 1904. Her parents came from Milton, Ireland, sailing about 1840, shortly after the great famine. Mr. Gaskill recalls his grandfather telling of the voyage which took seven weeks, and of the violent storm in which the vessel was nearly wrecked.
Mr. Gaskill attended the public schools of Waverly, and the Lincoln High School. He traveled out of Lincoln from 1898 to 1903 for a music firm. In 1903, he settled in Nebraska City, and entered the music business for himself. Since that time he has been the owner and manager of the Gaskill Music Company. He has increased his business during these years, and at the present time maintains a stock at Auburn, also.
He was married to Mamie N. Beard at Broken Bow, Nebraska, September 18, 1901. There are three children: Louise, born in June, 1902, who married Edwin Moran; Eunice F., born in August, 1908; and Forrest D., born in August, 1910.
Mr. Gaskill is a Republican. He is affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Nebraska City, and is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of the Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Nebraska State Historical Society and the Nebraskana Society. His most prized possession is his collection of historical pictures of eastern Nebraska, several of which have been turned over to the State Historical Society.
His fraternal organizations include the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the Nebraska City Country Club. Residence: Nebraska City.
Mamie N. Gaskill
A native of Kentucky, Mamie N. Gaskill has been a resident of Nebraska about thirty years. She was born at Albany, January 10, 1880, daughter of William D. and Mary (Reneau) Beard. Her father was also a native of Kentucky. His father left Ireland and came to Kentucky, where he homesteaded in the early days of the state.
Mary Reneau was born in Kentucky, daughter of a French clergyman, who was one of the founders of the Christian Church, and a noted religious educator in that state.
Mamie N. Gaskill attended the public and high schools of Kentucky, and was graduated in 1896. She was married to John Edward Gaskill at Broken Bow, Nebraska, September 18, 1901. There are three children: Louise, who graduated from Hardin College, Missouri, and who is a teacher in home economics; Eunice who is majoring in piano at the University of Nebraska, and who is a mem-
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ber of Alpha Omicron P1; and Forrest, who is, a member of Phi Kappa Psi, and is majoring in chemistry at the University of Nebraska.
Before her marriage Mrs. Gaskill was a teacher in Kentucky. She is now associated with her husband in the Gaskill Music Store at Nebraska City. She was especially active in Red Cross work during the World War and is still a member of the organization. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She is a member of the civics department of the Nebraska City Woman's Club, and a member of the Music Club and the Eastern Star. Her social club is the Nebraska City Country Club. Residence: Nebraska City.
Sherlock Bronson Gass
Sherlock B. Gass, Nebraska educator and professor of English at the University of Nebraska, has lived in this state for the past 26 years. He was born at Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio, October 17, 1878, the son of Florien Preston and Harriet Elizabeth (Bronson) Gass. His father, who was a business man, was born at Mansfield, December 18, 1850, and died at St. Petersburg, Florida, February, 1924. He was directly descended from Benjamin Gass who came to Philadelphia from Antrin, Ireland, in 1690. Sherlock B. Gass' mother was born at Sandusky, Ohio, August 25, 1855.
Professor Gass attended the public schools of Mansfield and Chicago, and was graduated from Steele High School at Dayton, Ohio. He was awarded his Ph. B., at Chicago, 1904. In 1905 he was instructor in rhetoric at the University of Nebraska. Since 1916 he has been professor of English in this institution. He is the author of A Lover of the Choir, 1919; Criers of the Shops, 1925; and A Tap on the Shoulder, 1929.
He was married to Alice Virginia Dougan at Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, June 7, 1926. Mrs. Gass was born at St. Louis, Missouri, September 17, 1905. They have one son: Geoffrey, born July 18, 1928.
Professor Gass is a member of the Lincoln University Club and the Sierra Club, of California. He is an independent. Residence: Lincoln.
Clarence Ray Gates
As an educator and school executive Clarence Ray Gates has been active in professional affairs in Nebraska for over 25 years. He was born at Baker, Kansas, December 23, 1885, the son of James Lyman and Annie Vio (Racey) Gates. His father, who was a railroad station agent and telegrapher, was born in Athens County, Ohio, October 29, 1851, and died at Stella, Nebraska, January 10, 1897; his English and Scotch ancestors came to America in 1638.
Annie Vio (Racey) Gates, his mother, who was born at Beloit, Wisconsin, April 9, 1864, has been editor of several Nebraska weekly newspapers including the Blair Tribune. She has written many feature articles for newspapers and is active in political affairs in her community and state. Her ancestry is English.
Mr. Gates attended the public schools of Baker, Kansas, Stella, Falls City, and Auburn, Nebraska, completing his high school education at the latter in 1903. He was graduated from the Nebraska State Teachers College at Peru in 1907, receiving the B. Ed. degree in 1911, was awarded the A. B. degree at the University of Nebraska in 1916, and received the A. M. degree at Columbia University in 1920. He was a member of the inter-state debating team at Peru State Teachers College, was president of various literary and debating Societies, and was president of the senior summer class in 1916. He was elected to membership in Phi Delta Kappa and took a prominent part in dramatics.
At the age of 13 Mr. Gates became a messenger boy for the Missouri Pacific Railway Company at Auburn and later held various positions in this organization. He has served as principal in the high schools at Oakland, Nebraska City, and Blair, Nebraska, and has been superintendent of schools at Pilger, West Point, Columbus, and Grand Island, Nebraska. During various summer terms he has been instructor in the University of Nebraska, Peru State Teachers College, Kearney State Teachers College, and Grand Island College.
At this time he is superintendent of public schools at Grand Island where he is active in civic and religious affairs. He is the author of The Management of Smaller Schools, 1923, and numerous magazine articles. Mr. Gates is president of the Nebraska State Teachers Association, was president of the Nebraska Schoolmasters' Club in 1925, is a member of the National Education Association and the National Society for the Study of Education, and holds membership in the board of directors of the Nebraska Tuberculosis Association.
He is affiliated with Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, holding membership in the board of trustees, is a member of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, and holds membership in the Grand Island Rotary Club of which he was president in 1927. He holds membership in the Woodland Country Club of Grand Island. He has been a member of the Men's Work Commission of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1928, is a member of the 1932 General Conference Council of that organization, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Nebraska Wesleyan University.
During the World War he served as a Four Minute Speaker and assisted in loan drives. His favorite sport is golfing. He is a member of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Royal Arch Masons and holds membership in the Red Cross. He is listed in Who's Who in America.
He was united in marriage with Maude Beatrice Nixon at Omaha, Nebraska, September 1, 1909. Mrs. Gates, whose English ancestors came to America about 1650, was born near Clarinda, Iowa, February 19, 1886. Their two children are: Esther, born July 18, 1913; and Clarence, born October 2, 1927. Esther is a sophomore at Lindenwood College. Residence: Grand Island.
Elmer Charles Gates
Elmer Charles Gates was born at Clarks, Nebraska, April 20, 1900, son of Francis C. and Rua Adeline (Wright) Gates. The father was born in Clarks, March 6, 1873, and is a farmer. His wife, Rua, was born at Weeping Water, September 22, 1883.
In June, 1918, Mr. Gates was graduated from Clarks High School, and afterward completed a special coarse in journalism at the University of Missouri.
He was married on December 25, 1921, to Evelyn Annette Buscher at Hastings. Mrs. Gates was born at Thomasboro, Illinois, September 23, 1903. They have two children, Marcia Jean, born May 3, 1923; and Dorothy Mae, born February 7, 1926.
Mr. Gates is a Republican, He served as a sergeant in the medical detachment, 1st infantry, regular army during 1918 and 1919, and is a member of the American Legion. He is state secretary of the Nebraska State Association of the National Association of Letter Carriers, and of all branches of the Odd Fellows. He is affiliated with the Christian Church. His hobby is organization work in connection with letter carriers association. Residence: Hastings.
George Minor Gates
George Minor Gates, clergyman, lawyer and author, was born at Oquawka, Henderson County, Illinois, son of David and Edith Frances (Rust) Gates. David Gates was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, January 9, 1833, and died at Table Rock, Nebraska, February 13, 1899. A farmer, he was always a Republican. He was descended from General Gates of Revolutionary fame, and the Reverend Stephen Gates, of Ipswich, England, who with his wife, Ann Schute, settled in New England
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in 1638, at Hingham, Massachusetts. He died June 9, 1662. A Congregationalist minister, he served in the Indian and Colonial wars. Mathias Gates, father of David Gates fought in the War of 1812 with the Ohio militia, and for services was awarded a military land warrant, No. 7993, which is on record in Washington.
Edith Frances Rust was horn at Galesburg, Illinois, in 1842, and died at Oakland, Iowa, in October 1873. She attended the Galesburg Schools, married David Gates on May 6, 1868, and was the mother of five sons and one daughter, Annie, now Mrs. Campbell of Hastings, Nebraska. The Rust family came from Pennsylvania.
George M. Gates attended high school at White Cloud, Kansas, until 1878 and at Salem, Nebraska, 1879. He took college course at Cornell College 1880-82, and was graduated with an LL. B. from the State University of Kansas in 1884. A leader in oratory both in Cornell and Kansas State, he was second in line for state oratorical honors at Kansas and met William A. Quail, later an honored bishop of the Methodist Church.
On August 16, 1882, he was united in marriage to Celia Ann Clark at Morrison, Illinois. She is a daughter of John Calvin Clark who served in the Civil War with the 131st Iowa Infantry, and died in Andersonville Prison in 1862. She was born in Iowa, on May 22, 1862, and is believed to be a descendant of Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. She was graduated from Cornell College and is a member of Philomathean Society. There are seven sons and daughters, as follows: W. Edgar, born July 4, 1883, a coal dealer at Lincoln, who married Fannie Noyes. Cecil Clark, born July 14, 1885, a banker in Lincoln, who married Margaret Mulder. Bernice Edith, born August 13, 1888, a music teacher, who married Malcolm Showalter, who is in the life insurance business at Sioux City, Iowa. LeRoy Mallieu, burn June 22, 1891, state entomologist, married Mattie Taviner. George Milton, burn March 10, 1893, a garageman at Lincoln, married Louise Goddie. Lloyd Emerson, born in 1898, a garageman in Lincoln, married Lenora Biggs. Frances Celia, born March 14, 1902, married Lee H. Willitson.
Mr. Gates has been active as a clergyman, lecturer, lawyer and author for many years. He has written, among others, the following: First Log Cabin in Lincoln, Nebraska, 1928, Through Story Land, Scenic Wonders, etc. He practiced law at Stella, Omaha and Lincoln, has officiated at 556 weddings and as many funerals and has been called upon to give addresses in leading churches and for high school commencements. He was formerly lecturer at th (sic) University of Nebraska and Nebraska Wesleyan, and has given travel talks before high schools and educational bodies.
In 1891 he was ordained a Methodist minister at the Nebraska Conference of 1891, and served at Peru, Table Rock, Fairmont, Schuyler, Lincoln and Syraucse (sic). He is a member of the University Place Business Men's Association, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Knights Templar and Shrine bodies of the Masons. He is a member also of the Nebraska Writers and Authors Guild and The Nebraskana Society. Residence: Lincoln.
Jed Mills Gates
On November 29, 1862, Jed M. Gates, banker and retired farmer, was born at Gilmore, Sarpy County, Nebraska. He is the son of Amos and Samantha (Arnett) Gates, both of whom are deceased. His father, a farmer, stock raiser, and banker, was active in the political life of Nebraska, serving for many years as state representative. He was born at West Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio, September 5, 1829, and died at Gilmore, Nebraska, August 5, 1905. His wife, who was a school teacher, was born at West Jefferson, December 24, 1832, and died at Gilmore.
Mr. Gates was educated in the country schools and later attended Creighton College at Omaha. A resident of Nebraska all his life, he has been prominent in business and political circles for many years. He is a stock raiser and feeder; has been connected with the Packer's National Bank of South Omaha; and was at one time secretary of the Papillion Times. A Democrat, he has served three terms in the senate, and two terms in the house of representatives.
He was united in marriage January 9, 1884, at Gilmore, with Elizabeth Marion Trumble. Mrs. Gates, the daughter of A. W. Trumble of Hulberton, New York, was born in Bellevue, Nebraska, December 1, 1885. She is interested in banking and farming. Six children were born to this marriage: Delia S., born April 26, 1885, who married LeRoy Miller; Amos W., born November 29, 1886, who married Margaret Gretchen Godfrey; Fred T., born April 1, 1889, who married Marie E. Beals; Ida Maud, born February 21,1891, who married Clair F. King; Harold Bryan, horn October 4, 1894, who married Lore M. Gehringer; and Thomas Kelly, born July 17, 1905, who (sic)
Mr. Gates served on executive committees and was active in all drives during the World War. He is a member of the Red Cross and has served on the local school board for 21 years. A 32nd degree Mason, and Modern Woodman of America, he is also a member of the Anderson Grove Presbyterian Church of Fort Crook. Residence: Fort Crook.
Cecil Leon Gatten
Cecil Leon Gatten, son of Thomas and Fannie (Jeanes) Gatten, was born at Brighton, Illinois, December 31, 1888, and for the past eight years has resided at Ainsworth, Nebraska. His father, born at Barnesviile, Ohio, May 3, 1854, was a gardener and well known flower grower. He was the son of an Ohio schoolmaster, whose family came to America, from England, probably about 1700. Thomas Gatten died at Davenport, Iowa, July 10, 1926.
Fannie Jeanes, wife of Thomas, was born at Ibberton, Dorsetshire, England, January 2, 1864, and died at Carroll, Iowa, July 31, 1917. She was the daughter of a small landowner in England, an excellent seamstress and a splendid cook.
Dr. Gatten attended public school in Carroll County, Iowa, and was graduated from the four year course in three years. There he was valedictorian of his class, and represented his school in various oratorical contests.
From 1907 to 1910, Dr. Gatten attended the State University of Iowa, (a Whitney Carr Scholarship), working for board and room as well as other expenses. He was a member of the college choral club and assistant in entomology while in college.
His marriage to Olive Stella Hoffmann was solemnized at Iowa City, Iowa; June 11, 1910. Mrs. Gatten, who was born at Riverside, Iowa, February 27, 1890, is descended from early German settlers in Illinois; her father a veteran of the Civil War. She is a breeder of purebred Black Orpingtons, and a winner at the Chicago Show in 1930. There are three children: Emma Lynnette, born June 10, 1911, who is a sophomore at the University of Nebraska, majoring in home economics, and an honor student; George Thomas, born December 2, 1913, is a freshman in dairy husbandry at the University of Nebraska; while Modesta Frances, born March 14, 1916, is in high school.
Dr. Gatten was registered for pre-medic work his senior year in college, when circumstances forced him to leave school. The winter of 1912 he was principal of the Lanesboro, Iowa, High School, then returning to Iowa City. His next connection was with the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Later he held the position of manager for Johnson and Washington Counties, with a store in Iowa City, at that time being the youngest store manager in the company's employ.
The idea of practicing the healing art was still with him, and as the university had now begun to require two years pre-medical work, and Iowa City offered so little
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in the way of part time employment, he decided to go to Des Moines, in an effort to find a means of attending still college. There his activity as a collector precluded any chance of college, and after a hard winter he was offered the position of manager at Newton, Iowa. After several months in the country, an argument arose regarding an advanced position with the company, and Dr. Gatten resigned.
Then followed almost a year with the Bollhoefer Mercantile Company in their grocery and collection departments at Colfax, Iowa. The death of his wife's father called them to Hills, Iowa, and there they became the owners of a small cement block plant. The following fall term, not being rushed with work, he taught district school. The so-called "worst school in the county" offered better money, for the spring term, and there he successfully taught what was known as "Pokertown" School.
The following summer was passed in hard work, and brought him the opportunity of becoming princpial (sic) of the Ollie, Tows, High School. But business called until mid summer, and the war made shipping almost impossible. So, having used up most of the cement blocks in building a home, Dr. and Mrs. Gatten decided to go where war work was going on.
It was a question of distance which made him choose Rock Island, instead of Des Moines. Applying for work in the morning, he went to work in the afternoon. Advancement came rapidly, and as the night foreman needed an assistant, his ability with a pencil and paper helped him ahead. Only the hundred of volunteer workmen who went through the hours of hellish rush will appreciate what the men in charge went through. Men were driven night and day to their utmost to get out badly wanted weapons.
After the war, the experimental tanks came to Dr. Gatten's attention, and Murk VIII parts were a nightmare. Unrest, uncertainty and continual reduction of forces were followed by his taking a collection and sales position with the Bernard Manufacturing Company of Iowa City. Finally he entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, and graduation found him with all A grades but one. He passed the National Board of Chiropractic examiners and then the Town board with one of the highest grades ever given. After one year's practice he removed to Ainsworth. In March, 1927, Dr. batten was graduated from the Dearborn College of Osteopathy with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy.
Dr. Gatten is an outstanding citizen of Ainsworth. He has served for the past eighteen months as president of the Ainsworth Commercial Club, and was recently elected president for 1932. He is justifiably proud of the various activities of that organization during his term of office. These include the arrangement and publication of the Fish and Game booklet of which 3000 have been distributed; the open house celebration with 11,000 visitors; an increase in membership from 47 to 100; the leasing and licensing of the airport and building of a hangar; the poultry show; large community Christmas trees with treats to more than 1250, in 1931; a loaded car of food for Oklahoma drouth sufferers; and several unusually large banquets.
Dr. Gatten is a member of the Nebraska Chiropractors Association, a member of the executive committee of the Lincoln Chiropractic College of Indianapolis, manager of the Municipal Band. He is past consul of the Modern Woodmen of America, and past grand of the Odd Fellows.
A fine bass singer, Dr. Gatten has nearly always been connected with a church choir. He was the author of the class poem at Palmer, and was the assistant editor of the History of Johnson County, Iowa, some years ago. He is vice president of the Ainsworth Parents-Teachers' Association and a life member of The Nebraskana Society. His favorite sport is football, while his hobby is books--except essays. He is a rapid and omnivorous reader, Residence. Ainsworth (Photograph in Album).
Abdon M. Gdanitz
Born at Detroit, Michigan, July 30, 1870, Abdon M. Gdanitz is the son of Edward and Josephine (Ruchniewiec) Gdanitz. The father, a native of West Prussia, Europe, came to America in 1867. He was a cabinet maker by trade, who later became a farmer. He died at Elba, Nebraska, October 24, 1908. His wife, born in West Prussia, died at Elba, in November, 1921.
Abdon M. Gdanitz attended public school in Detroit, and for the past fifty-five years has resided in Howard County, Nebraska. For fourteen years he served as postmaster of Farwell and for thirty-six years has been engaged in the general merchandise business. He is, at the present time, president of A. M. Gdanitz & Sons. A Republican, for fourteen years he has been and still is, city treasurer of Farwell.
His marriage to Katherine Lorkowski was solemnized at St. Paul on June 26, 1895. Mrs. Gdanitz, who is a milliner, assists her husband in his merchantile (sic) business in addition to her home duties. There are four sons, Isadore A., born May 10, 1897, who married Anna Demuth; Roman, born July 4, 1896, who married Regina Ann Jankowski; Edmund A., born May 14, 1903, who died April 20, 1909; and Anselm L., born January 17, 1907, who married Frances Flannagan.
Isadore, who served in the World War, is a merchant at Loup City, Nebraska; Roman A., is and for the past five years has been a merchant and insurance man at Farwell. He was for a time the Old Line and is now a member of the Nebraska Hail Adjustment Bureau. Anselm, who now spells his name Danitz, is a dentist at Omaha. The family is Catholic, and affiliated with St. Anthony's Church at Farwell.
Mr. Gdanitz participated vigorously in all wartime activities during the World War. He is a member of the Red Cross, the Federation of Nebraska Retailers, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, The Nebraskana Society, and has served many terms as a member of school boards. He is fond of baseball and enjoys out of door life. Residence: Farwell.
John F. Geesen
John F. Geesen, who has been engaged as a merchant tailor for the past forty-six years, was born in Romsloh, Germany, October 17, 1863. He is the son of Ahlrich Geesen who was also born in Germany and who was deputy sheriff and tax collector.
Educated in public school until 1880, Mr. Geesen learned the tailoring trade and in 1885 settled in Nebraska where he has since been engaged in business. At the present time he is president of the Geesen Company, Inc., vice president of the Seward Lumber Company, and president of the Seward Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Geesen is married to Gertrude Scheibel and they have six children and seven grandchildren. The children are as follows: Clara, who married Edward Green; Edward, who married Ruth Ashby; Josephine, who is unmarried; Marie, who married A. M. Perley; Margaret, who married Stenne Halverson; and Leonard who married Margaret Parker.
Always active in civic and educational work Mr. Geesen was for twelve years a member of the school board and for twelve years a member of the city council. He is president of the welfare board, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Nebraskana Society.
He is a Catholic, and a member of St. Vincent's Church and the Knights of Columbus. In politics lie is an independent Republican. Residence: Seward.
Edgar Sharp Beattie Geesaman
A resident of Nebraska 42 years, Edgar S. B. Geesaman has practiced medicine at Fort Calhoun, since 1914.
He was born at Minneapolis, Minnesota, December
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23, 1887. His father, George E. Geesaman, was born at Shippenburg, Pennsylvania, 1843, and died at Minneapolis, January, 1889; his ancestors came from Holland, originally; he was a merchant for many years at Minneapolis. Martha E. (Elliott) Geesaman was born of Scotch-Irish parents at Shiprenburg, December 13, 1857, and died at Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, September 2, 1923.
Dr. Geesaman received his early education in the public schools at Osceola, Nebraska, and in 1907 was graduated from the high school there. He was awarded the M. D. degree at Creighton Medical College in 1912, where he was elected to membership in Phi Rho Sigma.
On August 29, 1917, he was united in marriage to Clara Catharine Rohwer at Fort Calhoun. Mrs. Geesaman was born at Fort Calhoun, June 9, 1893. Three children were born to them, two of whom are living: George Donald, born October 22, 1919, who died October 29, 1919; Edgar Rohwer, born August 2, 1921; and Richard Elliott, born March 17. 1923.
Dr. Geesaman is a Mason, a member of the Nebraska State Medical Society and the Washington County Medical Society. He has always been interested in civic affairs in his community, and is at the present time a member of the local Red Cross and the Salvation Army. He is treasurer of the school board, and is an active member in the Parent-Teachers' Association at Fort Calhoun. His hobby is reading and his favorite sports are football and baseball. Residence: Fort Calhoun.
Max Geisler
Max Geisler was born at Breslau, Germany, April 5, 1864, the son of Adolf and Sophia (Weiss) Geisler. His father, who was a real estate dealer in Germany, was born at Breslau, August 18, 1816, and died there in 1886. His mother was born at Breslau, December 7, 1836, and died in March, 1918.
Mr. Geisler was graduated from high school in 1881, and has been a bird and animal dealer in Omaha, since that date. He owns and is president of the Max Geisler Bird Company of Omaha; owns a warehouse at Omaha; and an import house in New York City. He also has an import house at Hanover, Germany.
He was married to Marie Eisner at Omaha, December 26, 1893. Mrs. Geisler was born at Breslau, Germany, August 15, 1870. They have the following children: May, born October 4,1894; Howard, born May 10, 1896; Alvan, born January 16, 1898; Herbert, born October 29, 1900; Max, Jr., born September 26, 1905; Pearl, born September 26, 1908; and Richard, born June 16, 1910. All of their children are connected with the business of importing birds and animals, and the manufacturing of bird and animal food.
Mr. Geisler has lived in Nebraska for over forty years, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Omaha Athletic Club. He is a Mason, and a member of the Lutheran Church. He is fond of fishing and traveling. Residence: Omaha.
George Washington Gell
Born of pioneer Nebraska parents, George Washington Gell has lived in this state all his life and for the past 35 years has been a farmer in Clay County. He was born at Sutton, Nebraska, May 5, 1874, the son of Robert and Ellen (Silverlock) Gell. His father, a farmer, was born at London, England, April 4, 1843, and died at Lincoln, Nebraska, June 29, 1895; he moved to Canada from England in 1851 and came to America in 1869. His mother was born in London, December 3, 1842, and died at Edgar, Nebraska, February 15, 1915.
Mr. Gell received his education in rural schools in Nebraska. He is now retired and is a member of the depositors committee of the Exchange Bank of Ong, Nebraska. For six years he has been a member of the local school board. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ong.
On December 27, 1905, he was married to Olive Mae Dodge at Geneva. Mrs. Gell, who was born at Shickley, Nebraska, October 27, 1880, was formerly a teacher and postmistress. To this marriage the following children were born: Harry, January 6, 1907, who married Bertha E. Schmidt; Wilson, February 10, 1909, who married Josephine A. Stickell. Both are farmers, and received high school education. Mr. and Mrs. Gell have one grandchild Donna Mae Gell, horn March 11, 1931.
Mr. Gell is a Democrat. His favorite sports are baseball and horseback riding, while his hobby is good draft and saddle horses. Residence: Shickley.
William Gellatly
William Gellatly was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, May 24, 1857, the son of William and Margaret (Cameron) Gellatly. For over 54 years he has lived in Clay County, Nebraska, where he has been successfully engaged in farming. Mr. Gellatly recalls the hardships of early pioneer life, including the periods when corn was cheaper to burn than coal. His father, who was also a farmer, was born at Perth, Scotland, March 10, 1834, and died at Sutton, Nebraska, November 24, 1888; he came to this country in 1856. His mother, who was born at Perthshire, Scotland, June 11, 1836, and died at Sutton, December 17, 1918, came to America in 1856.
Mr. Gellatly is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is affiliated with the Congregational Church at Sutton. He married Louie M. Campbell at Sutton, September 20, 1893; she was horn at Peoria County, Illinois, December 27, 1870, of Scotch, Manx, and Welsh, descent. She is a member of the Royal Neighbors and Rebekahs. They have one daughter, Martha Margaret, born August 9, 1894, who is also a member of the Royal Neighbors and Rebekahs. Residence: Sutton.
Meta Paula Gemeinhardt
Meta Paula Gemeinhardt, educator, was born at Frohna, Missouri, daughter of C. G. and Julia Magdalena (Fiehler) Gemeinhardt. Her father was born at Frohna, August 31, 1871, and is a farmer, grain cultivator and a poultry raiser. His wife, Julia, was born at Frohna, January 29, 1878. She has six daughters. She is active in club work. Her great-grandparents came from Saxon, Germany, and her parents were American born. Her father was a lumberman.
Miss Gemeinhardt attended Lutheran parochial school at Gurley, and afterward was a student in the public school of Dalton and Potter, Nebraska. She was graduated from high school in Potter, in 1926, and has a teacher's certificate. She won the eighth grade scholarship of Cheyenne County in 1922, high school scholarship in 1926, and received $100 toward entering some church college. During 1925-26 she was a member of the basketball team of Potter High School.
For the past five years she has taught in rural schools and at the present time is instructor of Clover Dale School in Potter. She is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and in 1927 served as secretary of the local Parent Teachers Association. She has been secretary and chairman of the entertainment committee of the Walther League, of the home society, also. Miss Gemeinhardt's leisure has been devoted to reading, music, and dramatics. She is talented as a musician, plays the piano and sings mezzo soprano. She has had a year and a half of voice training and has performed solo, duet, trio and quartette work before the public repeatedly. She has also taken a leading part in amateur plays in college, high school, and community entertainments. Her favorite sports are tennis, hiking, swimming, and basketball. Residence: Potter. (Photograph in Album).
John A. Gentleman
John A. Gentleman, funeral director, was born at Omaha, August 6, 1881, son of Thomas F. and Catherine Mary (Furlong) Gentleman.
Mr. Gentleman attended the Holy Family parochial school, and was graduated in 1893. In 1898 he was graduated from Creighton University.
Mr. Gentleman is the owner of the John A. Gentleman Mortuary. He is a Roman Catholic and a member of St. Peter's Church. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Ad-Sell League, the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Residence: Omaha.
Benjamin Franklin Gentry
Benjamin Franklin Gentry, real estate, insurance, and loan executive, was born in Gilford, Missouri, March 24, 1861, and for the past 60 years has resided in Nebraska.
He is the son of William Ellis and Rebecca (Wiles) Gentry, the former of whom died at Gilford, Missouri, in January, 1862, and the later in Cass County, Nebraska. The father died of typhoid fever contracted from exposure while serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. The mother was the daughter of Thomas Wiles of Mills County, Iowa, and a sister of Captain Isaac Wiles of Plattsmouth, Nebraska.
Mr. Gentry attended public and high school at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and was graduated from the Valparaiso Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. From 1909 uniti (sic) the present time he has been president and owner of the Scotts Bluff County Abstract Company. Since 1918 he has been secretary and treasurer of the Gering National Farm Loan Association. He Is a Republican, and was the first county clerk of Scotts Bluff County, serving from 1889 until 1892, and is now serving as police judge at Gering. Since 1923 Mr. Gentry has been agent for the Nebraska State Building and Loan Association of Fremont.
On November 30, 1890, he was married to Cora Elizabeth Johnson at Gering, Nebraska. Mrs. Gentry was born at Elmwood, Nebraska, April 4, 1869, and is vice president of the Scotts Bluff County Abstract Company. She attended school at Weeping Water, Nebraska, and was graduated from the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. She taught school in early pioneer days and was issued the first 1st grade certificate in Scotts Bluff County. Mrs. Gentry is the daughter of Colonel Daniel D. and Elizabeth A. (Lathrop) Johnson. Her Father was a pioneer citizen of Scotts Bluff County and was prominent in the irrigation projects of the North Platte Valley.
Mrs. Gentry is past deputy county clerk and a member of the Eastern Star. There are four children, Harold Ellis, born July 8, 1893, who married Jessie N. Wells, and is county surveyor of Scotts Bluff County and is past chief chemist for the Great Western Sugar Company at Gering, and was the youngest chief chemist in their service at that time; Willard Max, born October 20, 1896, who married Emily M. Nystrom, is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Omega Alpha, Phi Rho Sigma and Delta Omega Phi; Elizabeth, born August 28, 1898; and William Johnson, born December 31, 1903, who married Esther H. Nystrom is a member of Phi Chi, Delta Omega Phi and is a prominent physician and surgeon at Gering.
All four children attended the University of Nebraska. Max and William were graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and later from the medical department of the University of Nebraska. Elizabeth was graduated in home economics from Nebraska University. At the present time Max is a Methodist Episcopal Medical missionary at Chungking (sic), China.
Mr. Gentry is a charter member of Gering Lodge No. 201 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the National and Nebraska State Title Associations. From 1892 until 1909 he was a member of the school board of district No. 25 in Scotts Bluff County, and from 1909 until 1926 was a member of the city school board at Gering. Since 1929 he has been a member of the cemetery committee at Gering.
Mr. Gentry has had a very active career. In 1886 he and his brother-in-law, S. W. Ripley, irrigated a small tract of land on Winters Creek which was the first irrigation done in the North Platte Valley. He has been prominent in all irrigation projects, and served on the board of directors on the Nine Mile Canal and the Minatare Canal. He was the first treasurer of the Farmer's Irrigation district.
In November, 1890, Mr. Gentry saved the life of Sheriff Milton Blyle as he was attempting to arrest a man charged with cattle theft. The man pulled a gun on the sheriff and Mr. Gentry grabbed the man's arm, the shot went through Mr. Gentry's trouser leg, narrowly missing his foot. The sheriff was unarmed at the time that Mr. Gentry helped arrest George S. Arnold who murdered George Burton in 1888.
Among Mr. Gentry's favorite sports are football and basketball, while his hobbies are gardening, flowers and shrub growing. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry are both charter members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gering. Residence: Gering. (Photograph in Album).
Cora Elizabeth Gentry
Cora Elizabeth Gentry, wife of Benjamin Franklin Gentry, was born at Elmwood, Nebraska, April 4, 1879, daughter of Daniel D. and Elizabeth A. (Lathrop) Johnson. Her father was a pioneer citizen of Scotts Bluff County, and prominent in irrigation projects of the North Platte valley.
She attended school at Weeping Water, and was graduated from Valparaiso Normal School and the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. She taught school in pioneer days, and was issued the first first grade certificate in Scotts Bluff County.
On November 30, 1890, she was married to Benjamin Franklin Gentry at Gering. Mr. Gentry was born at Gilford, Missouri, March 24, 1861. There are four children, Harold Ellis, born July 8, 1893, who married Jessie M. Wells; Willard Max, born October 20, 1896, who married Emily E. Nystrom; Elizabeth, born August 28, 1898; and William Johnson, born December 31, 1903, who married Esther H. Nystrom. (See Nebraskana).
At the present time Mrs. Gentry is an abstracter and is serving as vice president of the Scotts Bluff County Abstract Company. She has served as deputy county clerk of Scotts Bluff County, and is a member of the Order of Eastern Star. Residence: Gering. (Photograph in Album).
Burton Arthur George
Burton George, manufacturer and merchant was born at Brookfield, Wisconsin, October 15, 1871. He is the son of William A. and Mary M. (Barnes) George, the former of whom was an editor and publisher, who served two enlistments in the Union Army with the 5th Wisconsin Regiment in the Civil War. His paternal grandfather was a farmer and justice of the peace in Pennsylvania, and a homesteader in Nebraska.
Mr. George attended the public schools of Hartford, Wisconsin, and Exeter, Nebraska, and on October 15, 1893, was married to Lillie B. Bridges at Lincoln. Mrs. George is a native of What Cheer, Iowa, and a grand daughter of an Iowa legislator. The George's have with them a nephew, Burton Bridges, a graduate of the University of Nebraska, and a member of Sigma Mu.
For the past forty-six years Mr. George has lived in Lincoln. He was associated with the Daily State Democrat, later the Daily Call, for seven years, and for about
