Grand Island Daily Independent Thursday 14 July 1932
Former Mayor Passes Away At Washington
William M. Geddes Succumbs After Being Invalid for More Than Two Years
Lon In City Service
Councilman Five Years and Mayor Two - Associated in Publication of the Independent in 1896 - Later With Treasury Department
A telegram to the Independent from Washington, early today announces the death, at 10:45 last evening, of former Mayor W. M. Geddes. His daughter, Margaret, and his son, bond, will accompany the remains to this city, the expected arrival here being early Saturday. He had reached the age of 75 years, 11 months. Burial will be in the Grand Island cemetery, in the beautification and general improvement of which he played a distinctly prominent part. Moreover, his services to this community, in general, were such as well to merit a silent prayer by his former fellow citizens that, life's long journey done, he here may rest in peace eternal.
William M. Geddes was born at Zanesville, Ohio, August 21st, 1856. His parents moved to Illinois and he was reared at Amboy, that state. In his early manhood, he there established the Amboy News. Later he also established the Paw Paw, Ills., Herald. In 1879 he was married to Miss Jennie M. Parker, and to them was born a son, bond P. Geddes, who was reared and received his education in Grand Island. Following the death of his first wife, in the '80's, he was married in Grand Island to Miss Rena M. Field, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Field, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a sister of Mrs. H. H. Glover, of this city. Of this union was born a daughter, Margaret R. Geddes, now the wife of Mr. Walter A. Johnston, a Washington D. C., attorney. Her mother died in Washington in 1900 and some years later Mr. Geddes married Mrs. Alice M. Smith, a widow of a former congressman from a southern Illinois district. She survives her husband and lives at Washington.
Service for City
Mr. Geddes came to Grand Island, in the interest of his health in 1885, and very soon became prominently identified with the business and community interests of the city. After a brief connection with the former Grand Island Times he became assistant cashier of the Citizen's National Bank, of which H. A. Koenig was president and George Mohrenstecher cashier. While thus connected he became interested in public affairs and in 1888 was elected a member of the city council. In 1890 he was re-elected and was by the council chosen its president. In this capacity he served until 1893 when he was elected as mayor of the city. He remained head of the city until 1895 when succeeded by W. H. Thompson. His service throughout were without a blemish.
He had been prominent in state as well as local politics and in 1893 was elected chief clerk of the House, at Lincoln. He was also at one time a candidate for the republican nomination for state auditor.
Co-Publisher of Independent
Late in 1895, the Citizen's National Bank having failed some few years prior to that time, Mr. Geddes became associated with A. F. Buechler in the publication of the Daily Independent on a short time lease from the owner, Fred Hedde. The effort was not only successful in a business way for both, but also congenial; and even though the relationship was terminated early in 1897, the owner, whose health and improved, declining to renew the lease, the partnership established a friendship between the two which continued throughout the years. Mr. Geddes purchased the Daily Sun at South Omaha in 1897 and continued publishing the same until 1898 when he entered the government service to take charge of the government's exhibits at all national exhibitions. He became secretary of the government's board in charge and managed the exhibits at the Trans-Mississippi exposition, Omaha, 1898; the Buffalo, 1901; the World's Fair at St. Louis, 1904; the Portland, Ore., 1905; the Alaska-Yukon, Seattle, 1909 and finally the Jamestown, at Norfolk, Va. He was the government's representative in the receivership of the Norfolk exposition and initiated the development of the Naval Training and Air station, at Norfolk, on the former Jamestown exposition site.
Later, Mr. Geddes was a site agent for the U. S. Supervising Architect's office, Treasury department, making the final decisions in many of the sites for federal buildings throughout the country, and also was active in the acquisition of property on Pennsylvania avenue, in the national capital, under the plan of development then adopted. He returned from active federal service about two and a half years ago, after an extension of service requested by the Treasury department because of his long experience. He was stricken with paralysis about two years ago and has been an invalid ever since.
Acquired City Cemetery
It was during the partnership of Geddes and Buechler that one of the first big improvements in public properties were brought about. Mr. Geddes had been familiar with city affairs and had, when yet mayor, hoped the city would acquire the cemetery, then owned by W. H. Platt, and perfect improvements. Later, though he was no longer in office, the project was earnestly promoted through the columns of the paper and through conferences with councilmen and Mayor Thompson, and was thus brought to a successful conclusion.
It was while Mr. Geddes was mayor that Coxey's army came marching through Grand Island. As soon as he was advised of the certainty of the visit, he arranged for the stopping of the freight train in the extreme western part of the city_between Cleburn street and the old stock yards, these being about where the Harris company's mill is at the present time—and had coffee and a substantial cold lunch for the members of the Army. an hour later the train pulled through the city eastward.
Life of Usefulness
Mr. Geddes was the first of the Geddes family to come to Grand Island. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Geddes, his brothers, Gavin H. and Robert Geddes, and his sisters, Mrs. Agnes Sorensen and Mrs. Ann W. Campbell, came later and all spent their lives here, leaving many descendants prominent in the community.
Mr. Geddes became active in Masonry in his early years, and was past commander of the Grand Island Commandery of Knights Templar, and a member of the Shrine. He died as a member of Almas Temple, of Washington, D. C., and the termination of this long life of usefulness, of service, and of upright citizenship likewise severs the earthly ties of an exemplary member of that organization.
The funeral—in which the Masonic order will participate—will take place from the Geddes funeral home on West Third street Saturday morning at 11:00 o'clock, and interment will be made in the Geddes family lot.
Former Mayor Passes Away At Washington
William M. Geddes Succumbs After Being Invalid for More Than Two Years
Lon In City Service
Councilman Five Years and Mayor Two - Associated in Publication of the Independent in 1896 - Later With Treasury Department
A telegram to the Independent from Washington, early today announces the death, at 10:45 last evening, of former Mayor W. M. Geddes. His daughter, Margaret, and his son, bond, will accompany the remains to this city, the expected arrival here being early Saturday. He had reached the age of 75 years, 11 months. Burial will be in the Grand Island cemetery, in the beautification and general improvement of which he played a distinctly prominent part. Moreover, his services to this community, in general, were such as well to merit a silent prayer by his former fellow citizens that, life's long journey done, he here may rest in peace eternal.
William M. Geddes was born at Zanesville, Ohio, August 21st, 1856. His parents moved to Illinois and he was reared at Amboy, that state. In his early manhood, he there established the Amboy News. Later he also established the Paw Paw, Ills., Herald. In 1879 he was married to Miss Jennie M. Parker, and to them was born a son, bond P. Geddes, who was reared and received his education in Grand Island. Following the death of his first wife, in the '80's, he was married in Grand Island to Miss Rena M. Field, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Field, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a sister of Mrs. H. H. Glover, of this city. Of this union was born a daughter, Margaret R. Geddes, now the wife of Mr. Walter A. Johnston, a Washington D. C., attorney. Her mother died in Washington in 1900 and some years later Mr. Geddes married Mrs. Alice M. Smith, a widow of a former congressman from a southern Illinois district. She survives her husband and lives at Washington.
Service for City
Mr. Geddes came to Grand Island, in the interest of his health in 1885, and very soon became prominently identified with the business and community interests of the city. After a brief connection with the former Grand Island Times he became assistant cashier of the Citizen's National Bank, of which H. A. Koenig was president and George Mohrenstecher cashier. While thus connected he became interested in public affairs and in 1888 was elected a member of the city council. In 1890 he was re-elected and was by the council chosen its president. In this capacity he served until 1893 when he was elected as mayor of the city. He remained head of the city until 1895 when succeeded by W. H. Thompson. His service throughout were without a blemish.
He had been prominent in state as well as local politics and in 1893 was elected chief clerk of the House, at Lincoln. He was also at one time a candidate for the republican nomination for state auditor.
Co-Publisher of Independent
Late in 1895, the Citizen's National Bank having failed some few years prior to that time, Mr. Geddes became associated with A. F. Buechler in the publication of the Daily Independent on a short time lease from the owner, Fred Hedde. The effort was not only successful in a business way for both, but also congenial; and even though the relationship was terminated early in 1897, the owner, whose health and improved, declining to renew the lease, the partnership established a friendship between the two which continued throughout the years. Mr. Geddes purchased the Daily Sun at South Omaha in 1897 and continued publishing the same until 1898 when he entered the government service to take charge of the government's exhibits at all national exhibitions. He became secretary of the government's board in charge and managed the exhibits at the Trans-Mississippi exposition, Omaha, 1898; the Buffalo, 1901; the World's Fair at St. Louis, 1904; the Portland, Ore., 1905; the Alaska-Yukon, Seattle, 1909 and finally the Jamestown, at Norfolk, Va. He was the government's representative in the receivership of the Norfolk exposition and initiated the development of the Naval Training and Air station, at Norfolk, on the former Jamestown exposition site.
Later, Mr. Geddes was a site agent for the U. S. Supervising Architect's office, Treasury department, making the final decisions in many of the sites for federal buildings throughout the country, and also was active in the acquisition of property on Pennsylvania avenue, in the national capital, under the plan of development then adopted. He returned from active federal service about two and a half years ago, after an extension of service requested by the Treasury department because of his long experience. He was stricken with paralysis about two years ago and has been an invalid ever since.
Acquired City Cemetery
It was during the partnership of Geddes and Buechler that one of the first big improvements in public properties were brought about. Mr. Geddes had been familiar with city affairs and had, when yet mayor, hoped the city would acquire the cemetery, then owned by W. H. Platt, and perfect improvements. Later, though he was no longer in office, the project was earnestly promoted through the columns of the paper and through conferences with councilmen and Mayor Thompson, and was thus brought to a successful conclusion.
It was while Mr. Geddes was mayor that Coxey's army came marching through Grand Island. As soon as he was advised of the certainty of the visit, he arranged for the stopping of the freight train in the extreme western part of the city_between Cleburn street and the old stock yards, these being about where the Harris company's mill is at the present time—and had coffee and a substantial cold lunch for the members of the Army. an hour later the train pulled through the city eastward.
Life of Usefulness
Mr. Geddes was the first of the Geddes family to come to Grand Island. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Geddes, his brothers, Gavin H. and Robert Geddes, and his sisters, Mrs. Agnes Sorensen and Mrs. Ann W. Campbell, came later and all spent their lives here, leaving many descendants prominent in the community.
Mr. Geddes became active in Masonry in his early years, and was past commander of the Grand Island Commandery of Knights Templar, and a member of the Shrine. He died as a member of Almas Temple, of Washington, D. C., and the termination of this long life of usefulness, of service, and of upright citizenship likewise severs the earthly ties of an exemplary member of that organization.
The funeral—in which the Masonic order will participate—will take place from the Geddes funeral home on West Third street Saturday morning at 11:00 o'clock, and interment will be made in the Geddes family lot.
Grand Island Daily Independent Thursday 14 July 1932
Former Mayor Passes Away At Washington
William M. Geddes Succumbs After Being Invalid for More Than Two Years
Lon In City Service
Councilman Five Years and Mayor Two - Associated in Publication of the Independent in 1896 - Later With Treasury Department
A telegram to the Independent from Washington, early today announces the death, at 10:45 last evening, of former Mayor W. M. Geddes. His daughter, Margaret, and his son, bond, will accompany the remains to this city, the expected arrival here being early Saturday. He had reached the age of 75 years, 11 months. Burial will be in the Grand Island cemetery, in the beautification and general improvement of which he played a distinctly prominent part. Moreover, his services to this community, in general, were such as well to merit a silent prayer by his former fellow citizens that, life's long journey done, he here may rest in peace eternal.
William M. Geddes was born at Zanesville, Ohio, August 21st, 1856. His parents moved to Illinois and he was reared at Amboy, that state. In his early manhood, he there established the Amboy News. Later he also established the Paw Paw, Ills., Herald. In 1879 he was married to Miss Jennie M. Parker, and to them was born a son, bond P. Geddes, who was reared and received his education in Grand Island. Following the death of his first wife, in the '80's, he was married in Grand Island to Miss Rena M. Field, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Field, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a sister of Mrs. H. H. Glover, of this city. Of this union was born a daughter, Margaret R. Geddes, now the wife of Mr. Walter A. Johnston, a Washington D. C., attorney. Her mother died in Washington in 1900 and some years later Mr. Geddes married Mrs. Alice M. Smith, a widow of a former congressman from a southern Illinois district. She survives her husband and lives at Washington.
Service for City
Mr. Geddes came to Grand Island, in the interest of his health in 1885, and very soon became prominently identified with the business and community interests of the city. After a brief connection with the former Grand Island Times he became assistant cashier of the Citizen's National Bank, of which H. A. Koenig was president and George Mohrenstecher cashier. While thus connected he became interested in public affairs and in 1888 was elected a member of the city council. In 1890 he was re-elected and was by the council chosen its president. In this capacity he served until 1893 when he was elected as mayor of the city. He remained head of the city until 1895 when succeeded by W. H. Thompson. His service throughout were without a blemish.
He had been prominent in state as well as local politics and in 1893 was elected chief clerk of the House, at Lincoln. He was also at one time a candidate for the republican nomination for state auditor.
Co-Publisher of Independent
Late in 1895, the Citizen's National Bank having failed some few years prior to that time, Mr. Geddes became associated with A. F. Buechler in the publication of the Daily Independent on a short time lease from the owner, Fred Hedde. The effort was not only successful in a business way for both, but also congenial; and even though the relationship was terminated early in 1897, the owner, whose health and improved, declining to renew the lease, the partnership established a friendship between the two which continued throughout the years. Mr. Geddes purchased the Daily Sun at South Omaha in 1897 and continued publishing the same until 1898 when he entered the government service to take charge of the government's exhibits at all national exhibitions. He became secretary of the government's board in charge and managed the exhibits at the Trans-Mississippi exposition, Omaha, 1898; the Buffalo, 1901; the World's Fair at St. Louis, 1904; the Portland, Ore., 1905; the Alaska-Yukon, Seattle, 1909 and finally the Jamestown, at Norfolk, Va. He was the government's representative in the receivership of the Norfolk exposition and initiated the development of the Naval Training and Air station, at Norfolk, on the former Jamestown exposition site.
Later, Mr. Geddes was a site agent for the U. S. Supervising Architect's office, Treasury department, making the final decisions in many of the sites for federal buildings throughout the country, and also was active in the acquisition of property on Pennsylvania avenue, in the national capital, under the plan of development then adopted. He returned from active federal service about two and a half years ago, after an extension of service requested by the Treasury department because of his long experience. He was stricken with paralysis about two years ago and has been an invalid ever since.
Acquired City Cemetery
It was during the partnership of Geddes and Buechler that one of the first big improvements in public properties were brought about. Mr. Geddes had been familiar with city affairs and had, when yet mayor, hoped the city would acquire the cemetery, then owned by W. H. Platt, and perfect improvements. Later, though he was no longer in office, the project was earnestly promoted through the columns of the paper and through conferences with councilmen and Mayor Thompson, and was thus brought to a successful conclusion.
It was while Mr. Geddes was mayor that Coxey's army came marching through Grand Island. As soon as he was advised of the certainty of the visit, he arranged for the stopping of the freight train in the extreme western part of the city_between Cleburn street and the old stock yards, these being about where the Harris company's mill is at the present time—and had coffee and a substantial cold lunch for the members of the Army. an hour later the train pulled through the city eastward.
Life of Usefulness
Mr. Geddes was the first of the Geddes family to come to Grand Island. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Geddes, his brothers, Gavin H. and Robert Geddes, and his sisters, Mrs. Agnes Sorensen and Mrs. Ann W. Campbell, came later and all spent their lives here, leaving many descendants prominent in the community.
Mr. Geddes became active in Masonry in his early years, and was past commander of the Grand Island Commandery of Knights Templar, and a member of the Shrine. He died as a member of Almas Temple, of Washington, D. C., and the termination of this long life of usefulness, of service, and of upright citizenship likewise severs the earthly ties of an exemplary member of that organization.
The funeral—in which the Masonic order will participate—will take place from the Geddes funeral home on West Third street Saturday morning at 11:00 o'clock, and interment will be made in the Geddes family lot.
Former Mayor Passes Away At Washington
William M. Geddes Succumbs After Being Invalid for More Than Two Years
Lon In City Service
Councilman Five Years and Mayor Two - Associated in Publication of the Independent in 1896 - Later With Treasury Department
A telegram to the Independent from Washington, early today announces the death, at 10:45 last evening, of former Mayor W. M. Geddes. His daughter, Margaret, and his son, bond, will accompany the remains to this city, the expected arrival here being early Saturday. He had reached the age of 75 years, 11 months. Burial will be in the Grand Island cemetery, in the beautification and general improvement of which he played a distinctly prominent part. Moreover, his services to this community, in general, were such as well to merit a silent prayer by his former fellow citizens that, life's long journey done, he here may rest in peace eternal.
William M. Geddes was born at Zanesville, Ohio, August 21st, 1856. His parents moved to Illinois and he was reared at Amboy, that state. In his early manhood, he there established the Amboy News. Later he also established the Paw Paw, Ills., Herald. In 1879 he was married to Miss Jennie M. Parker, and to them was born a son, bond P. Geddes, who was reared and received his education in Grand Island. Following the death of his first wife, in the '80's, he was married in Grand Island to Miss Rena M. Field, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Field, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a sister of Mrs. H. H. Glover, of this city. Of this union was born a daughter, Margaret R. Geddes, now the wife of Mr. Walter A. Johnston, a Washington D. C., attorney. Her mother died in Washington in 1900 and some years later Mr. Geddes married Mrs. Alice M. Smith, a widow of a former congressman from a southern Illinois district. She survives her husband and lives at Washington.
Service for City
Mr. Geddes came to Grand Island, in the interest of his health in 1885, and very soon became prominently identified with the business and community interests of the city. After a brief connection with the former Grand Island Times he became assistant cashier of the Citizen's National Bank, of which H. A. Koenig was president and George Mohrenstecher cashier. While thus connected he became interested in public affairs and in 1888 was elected a member of the city council. In 1890 he was re-elected and was by the council chosen its president. In this capacity he served until 1893 when he was elected as mayor of the city. He remained head of the city until 1895 when succeeded by W. H. Thompson. His service throughout were without a blemish.
He had been prominent in state as well as local politics and in 1893 was elected chief clerk of the House, at Lincoln. He was also at one time a candidate for the republican nomination for state auditor.
Co-Publisher of Independent
Late in 1895, the Citizen's National Bank having failed some few years prior to that time, Mr. Geddes became associated with A. F. Buechler in the publication of the Daily Independent on a short time lease from the owner, Fred Hedde. The effort was not only successful in a business way for both, but also congenial; and even though the relationship was terminated early in 1897, the owner, whose health and improved, declining to renew the lease, the partnership established a friendship between the two which continued throughout the years. Mr. Geddes purchased the Daily Sun at South Omaha in 1897 and continued publishing the same until 1898 when he entered the government service to take charge of the government's exhibits at all national exhibitions. He became secretary of the government's board in charge and managed the exhibits at the Trans-Mississippi exposition, Omaha, 1898; the Buffalo, 1901; the World's Fair at St. Louis, 1904; the Portland, Ore., 1905; the Alaska-Yukon, Seattle, 1909 and finally the Jamestown, at Norfolk, Va. He was the government's representative in the receivership of the Norfolk exposition and initiated the development of the Naval Training and Air station, at Norfolk, on the former Jamestown exposition site.
Later, Mr. Geddes was a site agent for the U. S. Supervising Architect's office, Treasury department, making the final decisions in many of the sites for federal buildings throughout the country, and also was active in the acquisition of property on Pennsylvania avenue, in the national capital, under the plan of development then adopted. He returned from active federal service about two and a half years ago, after an extension of service requested by the Treasury department because of his long experience. He was stricken with paralysis about two years ago and has been an invalid ever since.
Acquired City Cemetery
It was during the partnership of Geddes and Buechler that one of the first big improvements in public properties were brought about. Mr. Geddes had been familiar with city affairs and had, when yet mayor, hoped the city would acquire the cemetery, then owned by W. H. Platt, and perfect improvements. Later, though he was no longer in office, the project was earnestly promoted through the columns of the paper and through conferences with councilmen and Mayor Thompson, and was thus brought to a successful conclusion.
It was while Mr. Geddes was mayor that Coxey's army came marching through Grand Island. As soon as he was advised of the certainty of the visit, he arranged for the stopping of the freight train in the extreme western part of the city_between Cleburn street and the old stock yards, these being about where the Harris company's mill is at the present time—and had coffee and a substantial cold lunch for the members of the Army. an hour later the train pulled through the city eastward.
Life of Usefulness
Mr. Geddes was the first of the Geddes family to come to Grand Island. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Geddes, his brothers, Gavin H. and Robert Geddes, and his sisters, Mrs. Agnes Sorensen and Mrs. Ann W. Campbell, came later and all spent their lives here, leaving many descendants prominent in the community.
Mr. Geddes became active in Masonry in his early years, and was past commander of the Grand Island Commandery of Knights Templar, and a member of the Shrine. He died as a member of Almas Temple, of Washington, D. C., and the termination of this long life of usefulness, of service, and of upright citizenship likewise severs the earthly ties of an exemplary member of that organization.
The funeral—in which the Masonic order will participate—will take place from the Geddes funeral home on West Third street Saturday morning at 11:00 o'clock, and interment will be made in the Geddes family lot.
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