Gilbert M[unson] GANDER, lawyer and resident of Coffeyville, Kansas, was born in Mount Ayr, Iowa, March 4, 1873, son of James H. and Emma C. (ARNETT) GANDER, the former born in Ohio and the latter in Illinois. The parents are both living and reside in Baldwin, Kansas, where they located in 1899, the father being retired from active business. Of their three sons and two daughters all are living: Carrie L. is the wife of Sanford S. SOMERS, of White Wood, S. Dak.; H. C. resides in Kansas City, Mo.; Edna is the wife of C. A. KALB, superintendent of the Waverly schools; James H., Jr., is a graduate of the Western Dental College, of Kansas City, Mo., and lives at Kearney, Mo.; Gilbert M. is the eldest.

His boyhood days were spent in Iowa, his native state, and his preliminary education was obtained in the district schools, after which he attended the Mount Ayr High School and later was a student at Simpson College [Indianola, Iowa]. He was among the first to answer the call for troops at the breaking out of the Spanish-American war and enlisted [as a Corporal] in Company F of the Fifty-first Iowa infantry. This was the only Iowa regiment that saw active service during the war. On June 5, 1898, it left Des Moines for San Francisco, where it remained in camp until Nov. 3, when it embarked on the transport "Pennsylvania," and on December 7 reached Manila, Philippine Islands. The men remained on board the transport, maneuvering about Manila, Iloilo and Cavite, until February 3, 1899. Six days later, for the first time, the regiment was under fire at the occupation of San Roque. From that time until September 7 it was almost constantly on the firing line. On September 22 the regiment was ordered on board the transport, "Senator," at Manila for the homeward voyage, and about noon on Sunday, October 22, the "Senator" steamed through the Golden Gate at San Francisco. The next day the men landed and went into camp at Presidio, where they remained until November 2, when they were mustered out and sent back to Iowa.

Upon his return from the Philippines, Mr. GANDER resumed the duties of civil life; located at Baldwin, Kansas, where he matriculated in Baker University and graduated with the class of 1904. He then entered the law department of the University of Chicago, on a scholarship, remained as a student one year, and then entered the University of Kansas, where he completed his law course in 1907. He was admitted to the bar in the same year and located at Coffeyville for the practice of his profession. In April, 1908, he was elected judge of the city court and held that position two years. In July, 1909, he formed a partnership with Joseph P. ROSSITER, which partnership was dissolved January 1, 1911, and since that date Mr. GANDER has been engaged alone in the practice.

Fraternally he has membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.

On November 25, 1908, Mr. GANDER was married to Miss Nannie L., daughter of Ludwig and Fredrica FISCHER, and of this union was born a son, James G., October 28, 1910. Mrs. GANDER is also a graduate of Baker University, having completed the course in that institution with the class of 1906. She was instructor in German and French at the time of her marriage.

Mr. GANDER is a stanch Republican in his political views and has taken an active interest in the success of that cause.

NOTE: Gilbert Munson GANDER died May 17, 1960, Leavenworth, Kansas, with interment at Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City, Douglas County, Kansas. Nannie L. (FISCHER) GANDER was born in 1882, and died in 1978, Douglas County, Kansas. She was interred beside her husband at Oakwood Cemetery.

James G. GANDER, son of Gilbert Munson and Nannie L. (FISCHER) GANDER, was born in 1910, and died in 1929 with interment at Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City, Douglas County, Kansas.

SOURCES:
BLACKMAR, Frank W., editor. Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons . . . Vol. II, Part III. Pp. 611-12. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago. 1912.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z