George A. Gotchall, who is manager of the Chicago Produce Company of Manning, was born in Crete, Nebraska, on the 24th of April, 1875. The father, a mason being a son of George and Anna (Vogt) Gotchall. by trade, is a native of Pennsylvania while the mother was born in Germany. Mr. Gotchall migrated west from his native state locating in Omaha, Nebraska, where he followed his trade. Later he removed to Crete, the same state, and he is now living in Helena, Montana. To Mr. and Mrs. Gotchall were born two children: Charles, who is deceased; and George A., our subject.
Although a native of Nebraska in the acquirement of his education George A. Gotchall attended the common schools of Winona, Illinois. After laying aside his textbooks he worked on a farm for two years, followwhich he engaged in the produce business in Winona for a similar period. From there he went to Minonk, Illinois, where he passed a year, then moved to Peoria where he followed the same business for two years. At the expiration of that period he proceeded to Jersey City, New Jersey, where he spent another year in the produce business. Returning to Winona for six months he went to La Plata, Missouri for a year. He removed to Helena, Montana, at the end of that time and the year following came to Iowa, locating in Atlantic for three months. In 1904 Mr. Gotchall came to Manning whence he went to Chicago for a few months and returned to Manning, where he has ever since resided. He is now managing the Chicago Produce Company, Carl Decker & Company, proprietors, who handle butter, eggs and poultry.
La Plata, Missouri, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Gotchall and Miss Creola Virginia Collins, their union being solemnized on the 9th of June, 1901 Mrs. Gotchall is a daughter of James M. and Jennie (Stowe) Collins, residents of La Plata. To 'Mr. and 'Mrs. Gotchall has been born one daughter, Helen Virginia, who celebrated her first birthday on the 2nd of June, 1911.
Mr. Gotchall is a member of the Business Men's Accident Association, and his political support he gives to the republican party, although he has never been an office seeker.