George Gerner

GEORGE GERNER, the well known grocer of Rosedale is a native of this state, who has attained his present standing in the county entirely by his own efforts. In speaking of him, one of his acquaintances asked another the cause of Mr. Gerner's success, to which the reply was made that he had become successful through "minding his own business." That is the truth, he having, since he first started in his mercantile career, attended strictly to his own affairs with the result that they have been well looked after.

He was born in Johnson county, Kansas, April 11, 1870, the son of Edward Gerner, a native of Germany, born in 1824. When a young man he left his home and came to America, at once settling in Kansas. He later married Mary Smith, a native of Germany who had also immigrated to America with her parents. They had eight children, of whom six are living, Carrie, Mary, Ida, George, Clara and Minnie. Those deceased are Millie, who died at the age of thirty-five years; and Edward who passed on to his reward at seventeen. Mr. Gerner died in 1898 at the age of seventy-four, but his widow is still living, making her home with a daughter in Johnson county. She is now seventy-two years old.

When George was nine years old his parents moved to Rosedale, where he was educated in the public school. After he left school he became a clerk in a candy factory and later was clerk in a bakery, but in 1901 he engaged in the grocery and meat business, his store being in the same block where he is now located, at 900 Southwest boulevard. Since that time he has built up a most prosperous trade. In 1899 he was elected city clerk which position he held for five consecutive years. The fact that a man is elected to an office does not necessarily show that he is fitted for it, but when he is re-elected and continues to hold it for so long a time, that is proof positive that "he is the right man in the right place." He is a director in the Rosedale State Bank, having held this office for four years, during which time the bank has prospered as never before.

On May 17, 1893, Mr. Gerner married Miss Margaret Howells, the daughter of David and Marry Howells. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: Edna M., who is a student at Loretta Academy; Leonard G., who is now attending the public schools; and Myrtle M., the youngest.

Mr. Gerner is a member of the Masonic lodge in Rosedale; he is also a member of the Modern Wooden of America and of the Fraternal Aid Association, and is a man who has made many friends. He has obtained a fair competence for himself and his family, so that he is able to give his children the education that is to be their capital in life, and the entire family are respected and esteemed by all who know them.