Grayson County TXGenWeb
 
West Hill Cemetery
 Sherman, Texas


May 2, 1932

Pioneer of City Passes 
J.P. Geren, Veteran Sherman, Real Estate Man, Dies in Forth Worth

With a recognized record of civic service and usefulness to his credit, one of Sherman's and Grayson county's oldest citizens, James Preston Geren, answered the final call Tuesday at 1 a.m.  Death for the 92-year-old Sherman real estate man and lawyer came at the home of his son, Preston M. Geren of Fort Worth, with whom he had been staying the past several weeks after coming from Pensacola, Fla. where he was at home with his daughter, Mrs. D.A. Vann.  He had been ill the past several days with a disease of the heart.
The body will be brought Sherman Wednesday and funeral services will be conducted by Dr. J.A. Ellis, pastor of the First Baptist church of Sherman, of which Mr. Geren was a member, Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the old family home, 923 South Travis street.  Interment will be made at West Hill cemetery beside his wife who died in August, 1930.

IN CIVIL WAR
Mr. Geren was born on Feb. 5, 1841, in Bienville Parish, La.  After active service in the war between the states, Mr. Geren came to Texas in 1873, teaching school at Whitemound, Grayson county, a little later coming to Sherman.  He had resided here continuously for almost 60 years, going to Florida to be with his daughter after Mrs. Geren's death two and one-half years ago.
Mr. Geren was the last charter member of Mystic Lodge 12, Knights of Pythias of Sherman and the oldest surviving member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.  He served a term both as mayor of Sherman and school trustee.
While teaching school, Mr. Geren purchased two volumes of Blackstone and began the study of law, continuing this study after entering the fire insurance business in Sherman, a business which he continued for more than half a century.  A year after coming to Sherman he passed the bar examination before District Judge Lindsey, and after winning his first case decided he preferred real estate and insurance.

GOLDEN WEDDING
Before coming to Sherman Mr. Geren married Miss Mariah Fearn Putnam of Louisiana, bringing her immediately to Sherman.  Surrounded by their two sons and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Geren seven years ago celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  All three children survive, including Preston M. Geren of Fort Worth, Oscar Geren of New Orleans, La. and Mrs. Vann of Pensacola, Fla.
Mr. Geren enlisted in the southern army during the civil war, at Minden, La., in 1861, and saw active service in many battles of the war.  He was wounded three times, the last at Jonesboro, Ga., where he lost his right arm.
In the passing of Mr. Geren Sherman's loss is that of a citizen who had a part in the development of the city and in all of the movements for the betterment of this community.




West Hill Cemetery
Susan Hawkins
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