MS 470 - Betty Jane Johnson Gerber Collection | McCracken Research Library

The Betty Jane Johnson Gerber Collection (No. 470) is arranged into five series, as follows:

Manuscripts – Box 1, Folder 1-44; Oversize Box 1, Folder 1-2

              James Burnie Beck, 1822-1890 (Box 1, Folder 1-2)

              George Washington Thornton Beck, 1856-1943 (Box 1, Folder 3-5)

              Daisy Sorrenson Beck (Mrs. George T. Beck), 1875-1956 (Box 1, Folder 6-12)

              Jane Beck Johnson (Mrs. Nelson T. Johnson), 1900-1991 (Box 1, Folder 13-37)

              Nelson T. Johnson (Box 1, Folder 38)

              Betty Jane Johnson Gerber (Box 1, Folder 39)

              Writings by Betty Beck Roberson and Jane Beck Johnson (Box 1, Folder 40-44)

Publications – Box 1, Folder 45-53; Oversize Box 1, Folder 4-7

Subject Files – Box 1, Folder 54-74

              General Subjects – Box 1, Folder 54-68

              People – Box 1, Folder 69-74

Photographs – Box 2-4; Oversize Box 1, Folder 3

Oversize – Oversize Box 1 (See appropriate series for referrals)

MS 470 Betty Jane Johnson Gerber Collection focuses primarily on the family life of George Washington Thornton Beck (1856-1943), and his wife Daisy Sorrenson Beck (1875-1956). In addition, there are series documenting the lives of his father James Burnie Beck (1822-1890), U.S. Senator for Kentucky. George WT Beck and his wife Daisy had one son and two daughters. Betty G. Beck Joslin Roberson (1898-1972), and Jane Beck Johnson (1900-1991) who married Nelson T. Johnson. The daughter of Jane Beck Johnson and Nelson T. Johnson is Betty Jane Johnson Gerber. Each individual has a sub-series dedicated to them. There are also a large number of photographs.

Johnson Gerber, Betty Jane
Gerber, George

George Washington Thornton Beck was a Wyoming sheep rancher, oil land developer, businessman, and politician. Born July 28, 1856 near Lexington, Kentucky, Beck was the son of James Burnie Beck and a collateral descendant of U.S. President George Washington. Beck studied civil engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. In 1877 he headed west, eventually settling in northern Wyoming near present-day Sheridan. He owned a large sheep operation and was active as a mining engineer.

In 1895 Beck laid out the city of Cody with his friend Colonel William F. (Buffalo Bill) Cody. Together they also formed the Shoshone Land and Irrigation Company. Later Beck built and operated the Shoshone Electric Light and Power Company and helped develop surrounding oil fields. Beck was the first member of the Wyoming territorial council from Johnson County and the president of the last territorial council. In 1902 he made an unsuccessful run for the governorship but earned the nickname "Governor" nonetheless. He served as mayor of Cody in 1903 and was a member of the Wyoming State Senate from 1913-1917. He also served as a six-time delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

In 1897 Beck married Daisy M. Sorenson. Together they had three children: George T. Beck, Jr., Jane Beck Johnson, and Betty Beck Roberson. George Beck died December 1, 1943 in Cody. (Courtesy the American Heritage Center)

Author: American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming

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