* BIOGRAPHY*
Richardson County, Nebraska
[written Abt 1915]
George GIRD
Although more than three decades have elapsed since the angel of death closed
the interesting life chapter of George GIRD, for many years a leading citizen of
Richardson county, Nebraska, where he followed agricultural pursuits and later
published the "Sentinel" at Humboldt, his influence still pervades the lives of
many who had the priveledge (sic) of knowing him. His influence in behalf of the
general good of the locality honored by his residence was unquestioned.
Mr. Gird was born in Shelby county, Indiana, December 12, 1832. He was a son of
Edward and Nancy (POWER) GIRD, Natives of Wexford, Ireland and Indiana,
respectively. The father left his Native land in 1809, sailing for New York
City, where he followed his trade of baker, operating an establishment that
supplied bread to the ships having that port. He later went to Virginia, where
he married and presently located in Marion county, Indiana, later moving from
there to Shelby county, that state. From there he moved to Missouri, then to
Richardson county, Nebraska in pioneer days, but he eventually returned to
Shelby county, Indiana, where he died. Edward Gird was twice married, first to a
widow, a Mrs. ORR (Sarah "Sally" BEALER-ORR), of Virginia. Her death occurred
after coming to Indiana. His second marriage was to Nancy POWER, a native of
Marian county, Indiana.
Edward Gird was born March 24, 1788 and his death occurred about 1868. He was a
son of Henry and Mary GIRD, both Natives of Ireland, where they grew up, married
and established their future home, dying there.
George GIRD, of this memoir, was the second son of Edward Gird and his second
wife. He grew up on a farm and received such educational advantages as the
early-day schools afforded. On February 7, 1856, he was married in Shelby
county, Indiana to Mary E. GOSSETT. They moved to Andrew county, Missouri in
1858, and from there to Richardson county, Nebraska in 1859, being among the
early settlers here, and they endured the usual hardships and privations
incident to pioneer life on the Western Frontier of those days.
But Mr. Gird was a man of indominable (sic) energy and courage and he persevered
in the face of obstacles until success as a general farmer and stock raiser
attended his efforts.
He developed an excellent farm from the wild prairie, which he brought up to a
high state of improvement and cultivation. He finally gave up general farming
and moved to the town of Humboldt, where he became joint owner of the
"Sentinel", which he published for years and under his able management it became
on of the best newspapers of its type in the state, gaining a large circulation
and wielding a potent influence for good in the general upbuilding (sic) of
Richardson and adjoining counties. Mr. Gird also lived at old Middleburg and
served as postmaster there for over twenty years. He was active in Public and
educational affairs in Richardson county, and was county commissioner for one
term. He also was connected with the "Sentinel-Press" for two years and was
active in Republican politics, in fact, was a leader in his party in this county
for many years. He belonged to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and was
widely and favorably known in southwestern Nebraska , long recognized as one of
the leading men in the early days of Richardson county. His death occurred on
September 7, 1885, at the age of fifty-three years.
Eight children were born to George & Mary E. (Gossett) Gird, namely:
1. William GIRD, an attorney by profession who married at Humboldt, NE. and died
at San Bernardino, California, leaving a widow & two daughters;
2. Mrs. Ida D. (GIRD) SPENCER, who lives in Wichita, Kansas, and had three
children living;
3. George GIRD, JR., who lives at Des Moines, Iowa, where he is a Salesman for
the King Land and Loan Company; (*)
4. Mrs. Mary L. (GIRD) BENTZ, now deceased;
5. Edward GIRD, who died in Falls City, NE.;
6. John GIRD, a plumber by trade, who lives in Henrietta, Oklahoma; (* see NOTES
below)
7. Arthur GIRD, now deceased, who was editor of the Journal of the Mid-Western
Hotel Keepers Assoc., of Omaha, Nebraska;
8. Gertrude O. (GIRD), the wife of John G. IRWIN, of Lincoln, Nebraska.
The mother of the above-named children, who was Mary E. GOSSETT, prior to her
marriage, was born on May 25, 1839, at Greenfield, Hancock county, Indiana. She
was a daughter of Abijah and Susan (STERNS) GOSSETT, the father a Native of
Highland county, Ohio, and the mother of the state of New York.
Abijah GOSSETT, who was a talented landscape painter and musician, died in
Wabash county, Indiana, in 1848, at the early age of forty years. His widow came
to Nebraska in 1866 and spent the rest of her life in Richardson county, dying
in 1873 at the home of Mrs. Mary E. GIRD, with whom she had spent her last
years.
After the death of George Gird, his widow married Lyman WHITCOMB on August 6,
1902. He was a Native of Iowa and was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in
an Indiana Regiment and seeing much hard service in the Union Army. He took part
in many important engagements in the South, proving to be a brave and efficient
soldier, and was honorably discharged after four years of service. He came to
Nebraska in 1902 and located at Humboldt. His death occurred at the Soldiers
Home at Leavenworth, Kansas, May 7, 1915. After his death, Mar. Whitcomb
returned to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Gertrude O. IRWIN, at 2952 J. Street,
Lincoln, Nebraska, where she still ( ) resides. She owns valuable town property
at Humboldt, including two residences and some business buildings. She is a
member of the Christian Church and has always been a woman of fine religious
culture.
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