Home > United States of America > Nebraska > Cherry County > Valentine > Mount Hope Cemetery > George Christopher

George Christopher

Birth	:	2 Jul 1876 Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	16 May 1939 Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Mount Hope Cemetery, Valentine, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.8669014, -100.5350037
Plot	:	Division A Lot 91 Sub 7
Description	:	Valentine, Neb., May 18 - George Christopher, 63, for many years prominent in Cherry county ranching and one of the organizers of the Nebraska Stock Growers' association, died here Tuesday after an illness of several months. He was born at Lincoln. ----------------------------------------- George Christopher was born July 2, 1876 at Lincoln, Nebraska, and passed away May 16th, 1939 at 2:30 A.M. at the General Hospital in Valentine, Nebraska, at the age of 62 years, 10 months and 14 days, after an illness of several months. He was the son of James Christopher and Marie Hansen, both of... Read More	Valentine, Neb., May 18 - George Christopher, 63, for many years prominent in Cherry county ranching and one of the organizers of the Nebraska Stock Growers' association, died here Tuesday after an illness of several months. He was born at Lincoln. ----------------------------------------- George Christopher was born July 2, 1876 at Lincoln, Nebraska, and passed away May 16th, 1939 at 2:30 A.M. at the General Hospital in Valentine, Nebraska, at the age of 62 years, 10 months and 14 days, after an illness of several months. He was the son of James Christopher and Marie Hansen, both of whom were natives of Denmark. When James was a youth, Germany seized Schleswig-Holstein, a portion of Denmark, his homeland. In the war that followed, James was to be drafted into service and would be forced to fight his own relatives. He found refuge in a well during the search for him; he later escaped and made his way to Copenhagen where he was joined by his childhood sweetheart. Their marriage took place in Liverpool England. They then journeyed to the United States. Shortly after arriving in the United States, his father, as a token of loyalty to his newly adopted country, he petitioned the court to change his name from Christophersen to Christopher. They were living at Lincoln, Nebraska at the time George was born. The early part of the life of Mr. Christopher was spent in farming near Denton, Nebraska. There he was married to Elmira Ellis to which union four children were born: Paul, of Fremont, Nebraska; Ray, of Great Falls, Montana; George and Roy of Chadron, Nebraska. In 1905 the family moved to Cherry County, Nebraska where Mr. Christopher filed on a homestead near Simeon, Nebraska and from that homestead developed what is now known as the Sunnyslope Ranch. On December 25, 1913 at Lincoln, Nebraska, Elmira Christopher departed this life. On June 30, 1915 he was united in marriage to Mabel E. Slawson and to this union three children were born: Jean, who died in infancy; and Merit and Robert, who are at home. In addition to the above named children he is survived by his wife, Mabel E. Christopher of Valentine, Nebraska; two sisters, Mary Williams and Mary Dietrich, both of Lincoln, Nebraska; three brothers, Charles, of Lincoln, Nebraska, Alfred of Agar South Dakota and Thomas of Pueblo, Colorado and grandchildren. While living on the Sunnyslope Ranch he became interested in the raising of purebred Hereford cattle and was instrumental in the organization of the Northwest Nebraska Hereford Breeders Association. He was the 1st president and continued in the office for a number of years. He was constantly active in the promotion of better Hereford cattle in the sandhills. He held the first purebred Hereford cattle sale in Cherry County. He was one of those who organized the Nebraska Stock Growers Association and was one of its directors from the time of its organization until his death. He was also a member of the National Stock Growers Association. Another of his livestock activities was his interest in the Cherry County Fair Association. He was one of those who organized that association and was its first president. He was also active in the organization of the Sandhills Feeder Cattle Producers Association as well as one of the organizers and one of the first directors of the Valentine Production Credit Association. In fact, wherever and whenever there was an opportunity to promote the livestock industry and Cherry County, or to do anything to improve the quality of the cattle of the sandhill area, George Christopher lead the crusade. In 1916 he sold the Sunnyslope Ranch and moved with his family to Valentine, where they lived until 1918 and engaged in the operation of the Minnechaduza Ice Plant. At the same time he continued raising purebred Hereford cattle. In 1918 he left his older boys in charge of the plant and moved to Omaha where he accepted the presidency of the Douglas Motors Corporation, which position he held until 1921 when he resigned and returned to Cherry County to again engage in ranching. At that time he purchased what is known as the Box T Ranch near Brownlee. This ranch he actively operated until 1935 when he leased it and with his family, again made his residence in Valentine. His latest business venture was the organization of the Valentine Hatchery and Produce company and the erection of a modern chicken hatchery and cold storage plant at Valentine, another pioneer undertaking in Cherry County. While living in Omaha he carried the first pouch of air mail from the airfield to the post office at Omaha. He had the first licensed private fish hatchery in Nebraska. He sponsored and was active in the building of the Community Church at Brownlee. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Valentine, Nebraska. He was a staunch and ardent supporter of the Republican Party and took great interest in all National, state and County affairs. Mr. Christopher was one of the pioneers of bigger and better Hereford cattle for the sandhills. He was a true pioneer and cowboy gifted with the broad vision of the possibilities of this country. The ranks of such pioneers are being thinned and they are ones being called to their final rest and reward. He was always ready and willing to do something to help his fellow man. He was always in the lead for any project that would in any manner promote the welfare of the community as a whole. He spent years of his life and much of his substance in the promotion of community well-being. His passing leaves a place vacant in the community that cannot be filled. His passing will long be mourned and he will be missed by all who knew him. He built for the community and from him the community inherits spirit, faith and enthusiasm of untold value. Contributor: Linda Berney (47343179)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is George Christopher's memorial?
George Christopher's memorial is located at: Mount Hope Cemetery, Valentine, Cherry County, USA.
When did George Christopher death?
George Christopher death on 16 May 1939 in Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the George Christopher's memorial?
Latitude: 42.8669014
Longitude: -100.5350037

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Almina Eunice Ellis Christopher

(1873 - 1911)

Mabel Edna Slawson Ritter

(1888 - 1973)

Siblings

Children

Paul William Christopher

(1897 - 1950)

Ray James Christopher

(1899 - 1965)

Roy Martin Christopher

(1908 - 1985)

Gene Christopher

(1917 - 1917)

Merit John Christopher

(1918 - 1954)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Mount Hope Cemetery
Valentine, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8669014, -100.5350037

2. Minnechaduza Cemetery
Valentine, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8731003, -100.5674973

3. Fort Niobrara Post Cemetery
Valentine, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8885630, -100.4779260

4. Taylor Cemetery
Thatcher, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8131000, -100.4832500

5. Richland Harmony Cemetery
Valentine, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9763985, -100.5736008

6. Crookston Cemetery
Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9267970, -100.7313580

7. Kewanee Cemetery
Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9332020, -100.3366500

8. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Kewanee, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9700000, -100.3373500

9. Saint Agnes Cemetery
Todd County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0372009, -100.6952972

10. Simeon Cemetery
Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6704000, -100.6629000

11. Sparks Cemetery
Sparks, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9399986, -100.2463989

12. German Settlement Cemetery
Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8419050, -100.8393860

13. Lakeview Cemetery
Todd County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0746994, -100.7300034

14. Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery
Lakeview, Todd County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0750000, -100.7302500

15. Carroll Cemetery
Olsonville, Todd County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1371300, -100.6085100

16. Pure Water Cemetery
Todd County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0889015, -100.7844009

17. Snake Falls Cemetery
Valentine, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6785540, -100.8543170

18. Mount Hope Cemetery
Wood Lake, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6372920, -100.2330200

19. Kilgore Cemetery
Kilgore, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9304110, -100.9639260

20. Norden Cemetery
Norden, Keya Paha County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8685837, -100.0950851

21. Norden West Cemetery
Keya Paha County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8685989, -100.0947037

22. Williamson Gravesite
Nenzel, Cherry County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7888000, -100.9909000

23. Pleasant Dale Cemetery
Keya Paha County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8494000, -100.0608000

24. Linden Pioneer Cemetery
Tripp County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0607986, -100.1258011