George H. Gere, to whom these lines are devoted, traces his ancestral history back through many generations to the town of Hevitree, Devonshire, England, in which county there was living, in 1635, one George Gere, who came to Boston that year and became the founder of the family in America. From Boston he removed to Groton, Conn., and there engaged in farming, and in common with others helping forward the development of the country.

A descendant of the aforesaid George, Robert Gere, moved from Ledyard, Conn., to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1820, and his son, Nathan Stanton Gere, was born in the latter city on the 16^th day of August, 1832. Nathan Stanton Gere was married in 1855 to Mary L. Sweet, of Camillus, N.Y.., and became the father of seven children, of whom four are living at this time, viz: Mrs. Joseph B. Tiffany, of Yonkers, N. Y.; Robert Gere, of the same place; Dr. James B. Gere, of New York City, and George H., the subject of this biography.

Nathan Stanton Gere resided in Syracuse, and was a successful builder of railroads and canals for many years, being associated in those and numerous other business ventures with his father. He was one of the leading men of central New York, public spirited, and accumulated a valuable estate.

George H. Gere was born in Syracuse, N. Y., May 3, 1859. He received his elementary education in the schools of his native city, and subsequently entered the university of Syracuse, in the class of 1879. Immediately after leaving the university, Mr. Gere entered one of the large banking houses of Syracuse and later was engaged on the construction of several important public works, notably the West Shore railway, between Syracuse and Utica, and the enlargement of the Welland canal in Canada and the Erie canal in New York until 1889, when he became citizen of Grand Rapids. Here he succeeded in interesting a number of business men in the formation of the Adamant Plaster company, and, after its organization, acted as manager several years, building up a large and prosperous business in the meantime. The enterprise passed into the hands of some Detroit parties in 1892, since which time Mr. Gere has given his time and attention to the manufacture of yachts and launches, operating a factory in the village of East Grand Rapids, on the shores of Reed’s Lake, and near the city of Grand Rapids. For a number of years previous to engaging in this business he had given much thought and study to the construction of pleasure boats, first as a mere pastime, but when gasoline began to be used as a motive power he became satisfied that a launch so propelled could be placed on the market with every assurance of financial success. Since opening his manufacturing establishment Mr. Gere has succeeded in practically verifying his preconceived ideas, and the business from a comparatively small beginning has steadily increased in volume until at the present time his yachts and launches may be found in nearly all the states, besides which, several consignments have been made to foreign countries. He makes only the highest grade vessels, the smallest being a sixteen foot launch, and the largest sixty feet. In order to meet the constantly increasing demand he employs a large number of skilled mechanics in the construction of both launches and engines. The factory on the lake is one of the fixtures of Grand Rapids, and Mr. Gere occupies a conspicuous palace among the substantial men of the city and county.

   Mr. Gere was united in marriage October 21, 1885, to Miss Belle Stewart, who is a daughter of V. B. Stewart, a prominent merchant and manufacturer of Utica, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Gere have one child, Doris Stewart Gere, whose birth occurred in Grand Rapids, in the year 1890.