Elizabeth Caroline (Weaver) Gerrard, 1852-1924 [RG1663.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID



RG1663.AM:  Elizabeth Caroline (Weaver) Gerrard, 1852-1924



Papers:  1879-1892, 1913

Columbus, Platte County, Neb.:  Civic leader, Platte County pioneer

Size:  0.5 cu.ft.; 1 box



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE



Betty Gerrard was born in Columbus, Ohio, on April 5, 1852. She was the daughter of Michael and Dorothea (Heckman) Weaver. In 1857 her parents migrated to Nebraska and became one of the pioneer families of Columbus and Platte County. On May 31, 1870, Betty married Leander Gerrard, pioneer attorney, banker, and capitalist, and one of the Republican Party leaders in the state. He was president of the Columbus State Bank and was a representative in the Nebraska Legislature in 1871. Leander had been born in England in 1837 and died at Columbus, Nebraska, in 1913.



The Gerrard’s had four children: Clarence L. (1871-1928) was born in Lincoln and followed in his father’s place at the Columbus bank; Ernest A. resided in London, England; Phoebe married James A. Barkley and lived in Lincoln for a time; and Grace who was the first wife of Roscoe Pound, died in Massachusetts in 1928.



Mrs. Gerrard was a charter member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and at different times served as president and treasurer of the Columbus branch. She also was a founder and president of the Woman’s Club of Columbus, a branch of the Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs. After her husband’s death, Betty donated the site on which the Columbus public library stands to the city in 1914 as a memorial to her husband. She died at Columbus in February of 1924. (See also History of Platte County, Nebraska by Margaret Curry; Murry & Gee, Culver City, California, 1950.)



SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE



This collection consists of the papers of the Gerrard family arranged in two series: 1) Correspondence, 1879-1892 and 1913; and 2) Estate of Leander Gerrard, 1913.



The bulk of the collection, Series 1, consists of correspondence from 1879 to 1885. The letters are written to Mr. and Mrs. Gerrard from family members including: Sarah Robley, sister of Leander, and members of the Robley family; Addie E. Strother, sister to Betty; Lucinda B. Weaver of Columbus, Ohio, sister to Betty; Mary Weaver of Denver, sister to Betty; and several nieces and cousins.



Series 2 contains a transcript of case filings in Platte County court concerning the estate of Leander Gerrard, 1913.



Note: This collection has been deacidified. Patrons are required to use the white gloves supplied to reference this collection.



DESCRIPTION



Series 1 – Correspondence, 1879-1892, 1913



Box 1

Folder




    1. 1879-1882

      Sarah Robley & J.W. Robley

      Addie E. Strother, 1881

    1. 1884-1885

      Sarah Robley

    1. 1887

      Lucinda B. Weaver, Columbus, OH

      Jennie Osler – cousin

      Mary Weaver, Denver, CO

    1. 1891-1892

      Mary Adeline Horn – Iowa (niece)

      Edith Bonesteel & members of Bonesteel family, Denver, CO

    1. 1913

      Letter from attorney regarding property of Leander Gerrard in Columbus, Nebraska

    1. Undated

      Sarah Robley & Addie Strother



Series 2 – Estate of Leander Gerrard, 1913



Folder




    1. Copy of transcript of filings in County Court of Platte County, 1913



 



ADDED ENTRIES:



Columbus (Neb.) — History

Gerrard Family

Gerrard, Leander, 1837-1913

Platte County (Neb.) — History

Probate records — Platte County (Neb.)

Weaver Family



 



05-22-2007   Revised TMM/tmm

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.