----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 02/19/1920

Gessert, Arthur P. (15 Augl 1886 - 15 Feb 1920)

It is with profound sorrow that the Phonograph announces the death of it’s editor and publisher, A. P. Gessert, who passed away at his home in this city (Colby, Wis.), on Sunday morning, Feb. 15, 1920, of pneumonia, following an attack of influenza.

The news of his death came as a great shock to this whole community, even though it was known for several days that his condition was very serious, and many were the expressions of amazement and sympathy heard on every hand. He complained of not being well on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, and not feeling any better the next morning though it best to remain in the house during the rest of the day. But as his condition did not seem to improve one of the local physicians was called and his case was pronounced as being influenza. Under the treatment he was receiving some improvement was noticed within a few days, but on Wednesday of last week his condition took a turn for the worse and it was announced that pneumonia had set in. Because of his having become perceptibly weakened by the ravages of the flu, it was realized that his chances for recovery had become very unfavorable. Medical skill and careful nursing were of no avail and, after four more days and nights of suffering, he succumbed tot he inevitable Sunday morning at 5:45 and his heroic fight for life was ended.

Arthur Phillip Gessert was born at Menomonie Falls, Wis., on Aug. 15, 1886, and was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. George Gessert of that village. When but a young lad he began to work at the printers’ trade in his hometown. In the course of time he became very proficient in the art and some years later was employed as foreman in the office of the Hartford Times, one of the best weekly newspapers published in the state of Wisconsin. Before going to work in Hartford, he spent about three years in the northern part of the state and worked at his trade in Withee and Tomahawk.

On Oct. 12, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Mae Evangeline Spellman of Prentice. In Sept. 1916, they moved from Hartford to Dorchester, where Mr. Gessert purchased the Dorchester Herald plant. He continued in business in Dorchester until in Feb. 918, when he in partnership with L. R. Buchholz of Abbotsford, purchased the Colby Phonograph printing establishment of Harvey Brothers. Since dissolving partnership with Mr. Buchholz about a year ago he assumed the sole proprietorship of this plant. It is freely admitted by many esteemed contemporaries and others that under his skillful guidance the Phonograph has taken it’s place among the foremost weekly papers in this part of the state. By his pluck and energy he has been able to add to the mechanical equipment of this plant which, together with his extraordinary ability as a printer, has made it possible for this office to turn some of the finest and cleanest specimens of the art as can only be accomplished in the shops of much larger cities.

Even though the writer has been his associate for the past six months, it is far beyond our ability to express the real worth of this persevering young man to this city and community. Since coming here he has taken a deep interest in local conditions and has always striven to do his part, even to overwork, in making things better for all as well as for himself. He was a hustler in every sense of the word; the part he took toward bringing Colby to the fore will be sadly missed by the great many who appreciated him and his work.

Mr. Gessert is survived by his father, George Gessert of Menomonie Falls, who, on account of illness was unable to attend the funeral of his only son, a wife and two children, George, six years of age, and a baby daughter, Jane, eighteen months old.

The funeral services were held Thursday morning at nine o’clock from St. Mary’s Church in this city, Rev. H. Lachnit officiating, and his body was laid to rest in the Colby St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

The relatives who were here to attend the funeral were Mrs. Gessert’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Spellman of Prentice, and her sister, Miss Margaret Spellman, Wauwautosa, and brothers, William of The U. S. Army, who is stationed at Ft. Hancock, N. J., Timothy of Hibbing, Minn., Peter of Milwaukee, and John of Prentice.