Mrs. Matilda F. Gannon, 86, pioneer Pullman, Washington resident and a widely known and respected civic figure for many years, died recently at a Spokane, Wash. hospital. Serving Pullman as city clerk for nearly a quarter of a century, Mrs. Gannon was one of the first women in the state of Washington to hold public office. During the years she lived in Pullman and particularly during the time she was city clerk, Mrs. Gannon took an active part in the betterment and beautification of the community. Uppermost among her civic projects was helping reorganize City Cemetery where she gave many hours of her time in identifying as many as possible of the unnamed graves, and planting numerous trees and shrubbery now growing there. Another of her personal projects was the creation of Woodcraft Park which she later deeded to the Women of Woodcraft Lodge of which she was a member. Her love of flowers and her desire to beautify the community led Mrs. Gannon to plant the flower bed which may be seen at the entrance of the city hall. In addition she started the extensive vine which now covers the front of the building.

Born in Arlington, Nebr. February 16, 1862, Matilda F. Osterman was raised and educated in this ares. She taught school for a time in Nebraska prior to her marriage at Arlington to Ellsworth Gannon sixty three years ago. The couple resided in Nebraska and later at Longmont and Greeley, Colo. before going to Pullman in the year of 1894. In the year 1907 Mr. Gannon, a mining engineer and prospector was killed in a railroad accident, leaving Mrs. Gannon with six small children to raise. Shortly after her husband’s death she was elected to the office of city clerk and treasurer which position she held for 24 years. She was later offered the mayorship of Pullman, an honor which she refused.

Besides her membership in the Women of Woodcraft, Mrs. Gannon was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Rebekah Lodge. Her church affiliation was with the Community Congregational.

As a tribute to his mother’s love of plants and flowers a son, George Gannon of Yakima, Wash., recently deeded to the state of Washington an area adjoining the State College which will be known as the Matilda F. Gannon Forest Park. In this area seedlings will be grown and transplanted throughout the state.

Mrs. Gannon is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Francis Fallquist of Spokane; four sons, George of Yakima; John N. of Pullman; Louis of Mabton; and W. Harlan of Wapato. A daughter passed away several years ago. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren, three sisters and three brothers: Mrs. A. D. E. Elmer of Portland; Mrs. Elizabeth Hansen of Omaha, Neb.; Mrs. Jessie Bohren of Olney, Ill.; and three brothers, George Osterman of Bristol, Colo.; Frank Osterman of Clarks, Nebr.; and William Osterman of Des Moines, Ia. Harry Osterman and Mrs. Alice Newcom of Arlington are cousins of the deceased.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #68018944