Gansser, Augustus Herbert, 1872-1951.

1909-1918. Gansser was born in Germany on July 5, 1872. He remained with grandparents in Germany when his family emigrated to Bay City (Mich.) in 1872. Following the deaths of both grandparents in 1880, he joined his family. Gansser joined the Michigan National Guard by 1891. He participated in the siege of Santiago during the Spanish-American War, 1898, and served in the Mexican border duty, 1916-1918, and World War I, 1917-1918. He was promoted to Lt. Col. of the 125th Infantry, 32nd Division, of the American Expeditionary Forces. In the 1920s he commanded the 340th Infantry, 85th Division. He eventually retired from the Guard in 1934. Gansser served as a Republican Michigan Representative from the First District (Bay City), 1911-192, and as a Michigan Senator, 1915-1931, representing the 24th District (Bay and Midland counties). In 1927 and 1929 he served as President Pro Tem of the Senate. In 1905 he compiled and edited "the History of Bay County, Michigan and Representative Citizens" (a copy of which is in the Clarke Historical Library). In 1897 he married Elizabeth Richardson (1876- ). They had four sons: Emil A. (1898-1979); Webster H. (1900-1963); Victor L. (1902-1971); and Virgil (born and died March 7, 1904). Augustus died on April 25, 1951. (For further information see the finding aid.).

From the description of Papers, 1891,1931. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 40524825