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Geer, Arch Anson
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| LAST: Geer
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FIRST: Arch
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MID: Anson
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| GENDER: M
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MAIDEN NAME:
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TITLE:
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| BORN: 7 Nov 1884
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DIED: 26 Sep 1973
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BURIED:
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OCCUPATION:
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| BIRTH PLACE: Walla Walla, Washington
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| DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
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NOTES:
1910 OR CENSUS - Arch A. Geer, age 25, occupation farmer, b. Washington, is enumerated with Eglantine Geer, identified as mother [of Arch], age 58, widow, mother of 6 children, b. Illinois, and Musa C., identified as sister [of Arch], age 38, single, b. Oregon.
MARRIAGE - Arch A. Geer m Florence G. Moore 29 Feb 1916 in Multnomah Co., Oregon.
1930 OR CENSUS - Arch A. Geer, age 45, first married at age 32, occupation farmer, b. Washington, and Florence, age 42, first married at age 29, b. Ohio, along with Vesper, age 12, b. Oregon, and Reba, age 11, b. Oregon. Also enumerated is Josephine Moore, identified as mother-in-law [of Arch], age 73, widow, first married at age 21, b. Pennsylvania.
BIOGRAPHICAL:
“Archie Geer of 1535 State Street, Salem, is secretary of the Marion County fair board. He prepared and was in charge of the Marion County exhibit at the Pacific International Livestock exposition.
“My father, Bi Geer, crossed the plains with his parents in 1847,” said Mr. Geer. “My grandfather, Ralph C. Geer, was then 31 years old. My mother’s maiden name was Eglentine DeHart. She was born in Illinois and crossed the plains to Oregon with her folks in 1859. There were seven of us children. My sister, Carrie, married Harry Crouter. They have 10 children and live at Union. Musa, a graduate of Willamette University, has a store and is postmaster at Goodnoe Hills, Washington. Eva, also a Willamette student, married Dr. Harry Dabney. She was killed in a wreck on the Lyle-Goldendale railroad. Bert was once on the editorial staff of the Pendleton Tribune, was sheriff of Lincoln County and now runs the ferry at Maryhill. Chet is with him. I was born November 7, 1884, at Walla Walla.
“I graduated from Capital Business College, Salem, after which Father and I went into the cattle business. We raised Herefords and Shorthorns and showed them on circuit. After Father’s death I went to the Goodnoe Hills country and took a homestead, which I still own. That country will some day be heard from. It excels in almonds, apricots, and watermelons. I raised a 54-pound watermelon without irrigation. I still own our old home at Crystal Springs, in the Waldo Hills. Grandfather Geer took that place as his donation claim in 1847.
“My wife’s maiden name was Gail Moore. We have two children, Vesper and Reba. Vesper married Ernie Eldridge, who is with the telephone company in Salem. This is my fourth year in charge of the Marion County exhibit.
“My father’s sister married Timothy Davenport. Their son, Homer, became nationally known as a cartoonist.”
By Fred Lockley, Oregon Journal 2 Nov 1937.
NOTE - Photo of Arch Geer, courtesy of Vesper Geer Rose.
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OBITUARY:
Arch Anson Geer, 88, 4513 Sunnyview Road NE, a longtime Salem farmer, died Wednesday night in a Salem hospital. Born in Walla Walla, Wash., he took over a farm here started by his grandfather.
Surviving are widow Cora; daughters Mrs. Evelyn Gilliard, Salem, and Mrs. Reba Wilcox, Lake Grove; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Rev. Harry Riches officiating. Rigdon-Ransom Mortuary has charge.
Oregon Statesman 28 Sep 1973 Sec. III 26:1.
Arch Geer Dies; Last Relative of Homer Davenport – Arch Anson Geer, 88, last surviving relative of the famous cartoonist Homer Davenport, was buried Monday afternoon at the Pioneer cemetery in Waldo Hills in the neighborhood he had loved for so many years.
His home was at 4513 Sunnyview Road NE for his latter years and he died Wednesday of last week at a Salem Hospital. Rigdon-Ransom mortuary was in charge of the service and Harry Riches, a close friend for 70 years had been requested by the family to express his thoughts about Mr. Geer.
Born in Walla Walla Wash., he came with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Byington Geer to the Waldo Hills area to the donation land claim farm where he grew up and attended school in the neighborhood.
The farm had been first owned by Ralph Geer, father of Byington Geer, and in Arch Geer’s youth, when he learned that his father was considering selling to a stranger, Arch made every effort to keep the beloved farm and finally was able to buy it.
He and his first wife lived on the farm for many years and two daughters were born to them during that time. Later when the girls were ready for high school the family moved to Salem and for a number of years others were on the farm including a relative, Musa Geer. Still later the family moved back from Salem and at that time Mr. Geer started a museum, especially of materials relating to his famous cousin, Homer Davenport, and projects to restore the farm.
Later moving back to Salem, Mr. Geer pursued a number of activities in connection with the Oregon State Fair which included serving on the three man Fair Board and as a member of Oregon Fair Association. His interest in the Fair started as a young boy when his father Byington Geer had been one of the men to push and organize the State Fair and assigned many small tasks to Arch in connection with the event.
Mr. Geer was a grange member in Salem and later in Keizer where he served in all the offices.
Survivors are his wife Cora Geer, daughters Mrs. Evelyn Vesper Gilliard, who moved with her late husband to the Waldo Hills farm three years ago, and Mrs. Reba Wilcox of Lake Grove; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Silverton Appeal-Tribune 4 Oct 1973 8:1,2 (included photograph).
Arch Anson Geer, the last surviving member of the LeGrand Byington Geer family, two of whose members became well-known in Klickitat County, died at Salem, Or. September 26, 1973. Burial was at the Mt. Hope Cemetery there. He was 88.
Mr. Geer was the younger brother of Bert Geer of Maryhill and Musa Geer of Goodnoe Hills. He had spent brief periods of his life in Klickitat, with his mother and sister at Goodnoe. His last years were devoted to restoration of the “old Geer Homestead” in the Waldo Hills, between Salem and Silverton — a pioneer home made famous by it’s connection with Homer Davenport, world-famous cartoonist of the last century and a cousin of the Geer’s. It has been the scene of an annual family reunion for several years.
Survivors include the widow, Cora; two daughters, Evelyn Gilliard of Salem and Reba Wilcox, Lake Grove; eight grand-children and eight great-grand children.
The Goldendale Sentinel 1 Nov 1973 pg 15
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INSCRIPTION:
Arch A. Geer
1884 - 1973
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SOURCES:
Hellie, Mader & Rickey
Saucy
1910 WA CENSUS (Kickitat Co., Sand Springs, ED 113, pg 254B)
Oregon Marriages, 1906-20
1930 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., Silverton S., ED 79, sheet 6A)
OJ 2 Nov 1937
OS 28 Sep 1973 Sec. III 26:1
The Goldendale Sentinel 1 Nov 1973 pg 15
SA 4 Oct 1973 8:1,2
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| SECTION: E
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