Philip Gers

PHILIP GERS, who is serving as county commissioner of Labette county, Kansas, is a well known farmer of Howard township. He was born in Germany in 1856, and is a descendant of one of the oldest German families, his ancestors being traced back, in Germany, as far as 1685. Before that time they were residents of France. Mr. Gers is a son of Philip and S. (Dierstein) Gers, who make their home with him.

Philip Gers, Sr., was born in Germany. He married S. Dierstein, and they reared seven children: Philip, Sophia, Kate, Henry, Charles, Minnie, and G.

Philip Gers, whose name appears at the opening of this personal biography, was reared and educated in Germany, and in 1862, started on the voyage to America. He landed at New York, and thence went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he lived until 1871, and then moved to Kansas. After a short residence here, he went farther west, to Colorado, and on to California, returning to Kansas in 1879, when he bought his home farm in section 3, township 35, range 18, in Howard township, Labette county. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is very successful. He is a man of thrift and energy, and his success has been due entirely to his own efforts. The citizens of Howard township and Labette county have shown their confidence in him by electing him to the office of county commissioner. This office he has filled ably, and to the satisfaction of all.

Politically, Mr. Gers is a Populist, and is serving his second term as county commissioner. He was trustee of Howard township for a period of six years. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Valeda Lodge, NO. 7511. Religiously, lie is a member of the German Reformed church. Mr. Gers is a public spirited man, and takes a deep interest in all measures designed to promote the welfare of the township and county in which he lives.