Mr. Peter Gerrit Gaass

Peter Gerrit Gaass served as the first vice-president of the Pella library Board of Trustees.[1] Gaass was known as a supporter of education within Pella. His support of Central College was formally recognized when he was appointed the chancellor in 1893[2] He was also politically powerful, serving for a time as an alderman within the town.[3]

Gaass was born in Zwolle, The Netherlands on 5 May 1850.[4] He immigrated to Pella in 1860 with his family.[5] He became a merchant in 1869, moving to Keokuk in 1876.[6] He was a traveling salesman for a time, and returned to Pella in 1893 to open a shoe store.[7] He married Gerarda Aleida Tysseling on 17 October 1874.[8] Peter and Gerarda had one child, a son named George Gerard.[9]

Gaass remained a member of the library board until February of 1916.[10] Taking part in the grounds,[11] insurance,[12] and finance committees.[13]

Gaass lived in Pella for the remainder of his life. He died on 15 September 1932 in Pella.[14] He was buried in Oak Wood Cemetery.[15]

-Russell Buchanan

 

[1] First Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library, Pella, Iowa, 27 July 1905.

[2] G.A. Stout, Souvenir History of Pella, Iowa, (Pella, Iowa, The Booster Press, 1922), 180.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

[5] G.A. Stout, Souvenir History, 180.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ancestry.com. Iowa, Compiled Marriages 1851-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000.
[9] Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current.

[10] Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library, Pella, Iowa, 2 February 1916.

[11] First Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library, Pella, Iowa, 27 July 1905.

[12] Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library, Pella, Iowa, 5 August 1907.

[13] Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library, Pella, Iowa, 5 July 1913.

[14] Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

[15] Ibid.