George W. Derry

January 28, 1890—February 25, 1977

George William Derry never used his full middle name, and always signed his name Geo W Derry.

George W. Derry was born January 28, 1890, in a log cabin on Cedar Creek (peronounced crick), a few miles from Oakdale, Antelope County, Nebraska and 8 miles from Elgin, Nebraska. His parents were Arthur Edward Derry and Melvina Black.

He graduated from Elgin Public School, Antelope County, Nebraska, in 1907, thpough he's listed in their records as having been a member of the class of 1908, after which he attended college in Ames Iowa for two years. He married Alice Johnson and had four children: Doyle Nadine, Ardis Darlene, George William Jr., and Janis Diane.

from Early History of Cherry County, Nebraska :

"Your Bank of Eli" was organized in 1917 by business men and ranchers of the community, with D. W. Coffey as cashier, in which capacity he served for three years. George W. Derry then became cashier and manager, a position he held until the bank went out of business voluntarily in January, 1931, when all depositors were paid in full.

Mr. Derry served as County Commissioner of Cherry County from July, 1931, to July, 1933. His parents were pioneers of Elgin, Nebraska, and Mr. Derry was born in a log house near that city. Mrs. Derry's (nee Alice Johnson) parents, Harris and Ida Johnson, were pioneers of the Cody Community, having come to Cherry County in the eighties. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Derry now reside in Wayne, Nebraska.

He died in 1977 after battling emphysema for years.