Honored and respected by all, there has been no citizen in Columbus who has occupied a more enviable position in public regard than Leander Gerrard, not alone by reason of the success which he achieved but also owing to the honorable, straightforward policy which he ever followed from the time when he became connected with the interests of the city in the pioneer period until his death in recent years. It was characteristic of him that he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and while advancing individual success he also contributed in substantial measure to public prosperity.

Leander Gerrard pursued his education in the schools of Rock Island, Illinois, and made his initial step in the business world in that city as a clerk in a clothing store. In 1855, when about eighteen years of age, he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where for one year he clerked in a bank, and in 1856 he removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he entered the law office of J. M. Newton, with whom he continued until 1858. During one year of this time he was in partnership with Mr. Newton in the conduct of a land agency and during that period Mr. Gerrard, in company with others, founded the city of Fremont, Nebraska. In 1857 he removed to Monroe county, Nebraska, which he aided in organizing and also laid out the town of Monroe. At a subsequent date a part of Monroe county was divided and became Platte county. Mr. Gerrard was engaged in trading with the Indians of the Pawnee reservation from 1860 until 1866 and also conducted a trading post and did a freighting business between Fort Kearney and Monroe.

The following year Mr. Gerrard removed to Columbus, where he resided until his death, and in 1867 he entered upon the practice of law and the conduct of a real-estate business. From that time forward he figured as one of the most prominent, active and influential residents of Platte county and his efforts contributed in large measure to the upbuilding of its material interests and the utilization of its natural resources. For many years he was a member of the firm of Whitmoyer, Gerrard & Post, attorneys at law, the firm occupying a very prominent position at the bar. Mr. Gerrard's mind was naturally analytical, logical and inductive, his reasoning was clear, his arguments sound and his success was the natural sequence of marked ability in the path of his chosen profession. Moreover, he was resourceful and active in other fields. In 1871 he became senior partner in the firm of Gerrard & Reed, which established a private bank of which he continued president until his death. This was conducted as a private banking institution until 1875 and was then merged into the Columbus State Bank, of which Mr. Gerrard was the first president. He also became heavily interested in land, making judicious investment in property and carrying on farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale. His discrimination was keen and he was seldom, if ever, at fault in matters of business judgment.

The death of Mr. Gerrard occurred March 5, 1913, and because of his prominence proved not only a personal bereavement to his many friends but a public misfortune as well. He had been connected with many movements which had direct bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of city and state. In 1858 he became one of the organizers of the republican party in Nebraska and he served as a member of the first state legislature. He was chairman of the first republican state convention, which was held at Plattsmouth, and from that time forward was actively identified with shaping the policy and promoting the interests of his party. In 1870 and 1871 he was a member of the state senate and was the author of the Herd law, protecting agricultural interests. In the latter year he received appointment from President Grant to the position of United States district attorney but refused to accept the office. He had been a delegate to the national republican convention which nominated Grant for the presidency and he was always a delegate to the state conventions of his party, but he had little aspiration in the way of office seeking, regarding the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. That he was a most valued and honored citizen is indicated in the glowing resolutions which were passed by the state senate following his demise. He was ever faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation and his record reflected credit upon the state which honored him.

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Published in The Columbus Telegram March 7, 1913

DIED
GERRARD--Leander Gerrard, pioneer of Nebraska and one of the founders of the Columbus State bank, the oldest state bank in Nebraska, died at his home at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. His demise was due to a paralytic stroke which put the stamp of death on his brow four weeks ago. Funeral services were held at the family residence at 2:30 p.m. today, Rev. George F. Williams, pastor of the Presbyterian church, conducting the last rites. Surviving members of the immediate family are Mrs. Gerrard; two sons, Clarence L., of Columbus, and E.A. Gerrard, of London, England; two daughters, Mrs. Joseph A. Bartley, of Cape Town, South Africa, and Mrs. Roscoe Pound, of Cambridge, Mass.; two brothers, Alvin and Henry Gerrard, of Monroe. All were present at the funeral with the exception of the son and the daughter residing abroad.
The story of the life of Mr. Gerrard is one full of interest, closely linked, as it is, with the early history of Nebraska, politically and industrially. The following sketch of his career is taken in the main from Morton's history of Nebraska:
"Leander Gerrard, of Columbus, has, it is believed, seen longer continuous service as a bank president than any other man in the state, having been elected president of the Columbus State bank in 1871 and continued in that office till 1906. He was born in Manchester, England, August 31, 1837, while his father, Joseph Gerrard, and his mother were making their home there temporarily. The following year the family returned to America, going to Rock Island, Ill., in 1838. THere they lived for twenty years, until 1858 when they came to Nebraska, settling near where the town of Monroe is now located.
"Leander Gerrard's education was acquired chiefly in the public schools at Rock Island, Ill., and after serving as a clerk in a clothing store in that city for several years he went to Des Moines, Ia., in 1855, where for nearly a year he was a clerk in a banking house and loan office. In the spring of 1856 he removed to Omaha, preceding the other members of his father's family in coming west. During that year he participated in the founding of the city of Fremont. In 1857 he organized Monroe county, which was subsequently absorbed into Platte county, and laid out the old town of Monroe, about a mile eat of the present site of the town. In 1858, Mr. Gerrard helped to organize the republican party in Nebraska and the same year he secured passage of the first herd law by the legislature in Omaha, a law which was later widely copied in western states. "In the spring of 1858 Mr. Gerrard secured the establishment of the first overland mail service between Omaha and Monroe. Service was given three times a week. The route was later made from Omaha to Columbus. During his residence in Monroe county from 1857 to 1866 Mr. Gerrard was engaged in the cattle business, freighting business and also conducting a trading post with the Indians. In 1861 he was admitted to the bar.
"In 1866 Mr. Gerrard moved to Columbus where he was at one time member of the law firm of Whittmore, Gerrard and Post. In 1871 he became president of the private bank of Gerrard & Reed, which was consolidated four years later with the Turner & Holst bank under the name of the Columbus State bank, of which he was made the head.
"Mr. Gerrard was long prominent in the republican party in Nebraska. He was a member of the estate senate 1870-71; was a chairman of the first republican state convention ever held in Nebraska; was delegate to the national republican convention which nominated General grant for his first term as president; was appointed by President Grant as United States district attorney for this district in 1871, but refused to serve.
"His marriage to Miss Bettie C. Weaver, of Columbus, was solemnized in 1870." Senate Voices Appreciation.
Resolutions expressing appreciation of the services of the late Leander Gerrard in the early sessions of that body were passed by the state senate at Lincoln yesterday. The resolutions, introduced by Senator Krumbach, of this district, were as follows:
"Whereas, Leander Gerrard, one of the pioneer territorial settlers in this state, died Wednesday in Columbus after more than one-half a century of honroable and useful life spent in the development of this state, and "Whereas, Mr. Gerrard was a former member of this body where he rendered conspicuous ervices in its early essions, therefore, be it "Resolved, That this body express its deep sense of appreciation of the services of Honorable Leander Gerrard and its sense of the great loss of this state in his absence from future counsels for its welfare.
"Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this body and the secretary send a copy thereof to the relatives of our deceased fellow-worker."

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