Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 751.
 
VAN GESNER, M. D.

     is one of Crook county's wealthy stockmen and resides about thirty miles
out from Prineville on the Burns stage road. He is a native Oregonian, his birth
place being Salem and the date of that event July, 1852. R. A. Gesner, his
father, a native of Illinois, crossed the plains with ox teams in 1845 and
settled on a donation claim near Salem. He became a wealthy and prominent man of
that section. He married Mary E. Bartlet, a native of Indiana, who moved to
Illinois with her parents when a girl, where her wedding occurred. She
accompanied her husband across the plains and was one of the pioneer women of
the Willamette valley. Our subject was well educated in the Salem schools and
then entered the Willamette University where he spent one year. After that he
matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and graduated in
1883 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In the same year Dr. Gesner located
at Prineville and opened an office. From the outset he was favored with a good
practice which grew rapidly and steadily while lie remained in the profession,
but the strain of such an extensive practice wore on his health and he was
forced to retire for recuperation. He tried the salubrious climate of San Jose,
California, but later it was found that he must abandon his practice entirely or
pay the forfeit of death. Consequently in 1891 he laid aside his office life
entirely and invested his money in sheep. Later he entered partnership with J.
N. Williamson and they now have a very extensive holding's in Crook county in
both land and in stock. The same splendid success that attended the doctor in
his professional life is now being enjoyed by him in the stock business, which
manifests him a man of thoroughness, of splendid judgment and of industry.
     In 1886 Dr. Gesner married Annie Fields, a native of Brownville, Oregon.
Her father, William Fields, was among the earliest settlers to Oregon and was a
well to do and prominent man. To the doctor and his wife two children have been
born, Maude and Van.
     Dr. Gesner is a member of the A. 0 . U. W. and a very popular man, while he
and his wife are among the leading citizens of the entire country.


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.