Collection	Geddes, William
Photographer	Hazeltine, M. M.
Date of photo	1910, ca.
Description	Pollman, William, Baker City businessman. Pollman was born in Quincy, Illinois, on August 24, 1867. His parents Frederick W. and Amelia Pollman, were natives of Germany. At age two and a half years old the family moved to Lacygne, Kansas, where his father was engaged in the meat market and stock business. He worked in the meat business as a child. His public school training in Lacygne was followed by Fort Scott Normal School and Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois, from which he received his diploma at age 20. In 1889 he came west to Baker City, where he worked in the Geddes and Kraft butcher shop and soon became partner of Geddes (11-2-1850 to 1-9-1914) , when he bought out Kraft's interest. Pollman's interests expanded into the financial realm in 1905, when he became president of the fledgling Baker Loan & Trust Co., predecessor of Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan. Pollman was also president of the Bank of Haines and secretary-manager of Baker Gas & Electric Co. He built the Pollman Building at 2030-2042 Main. In 1908 Pollman was elected mayor of Baker City. William Pollman married Emma Geiser, daughter of John and Eliza Geiser, February 5, 1896. Their first home was at 1615 Washington Street. In 1906 the Pollmans purchased the Bella Kadish home at 2406 2nd St. They had two children, Louisa E. and Edna G. William and Emma, along with her sister Louisa Geiser, bought land known as Fisher's Grove and later Rust's Grove, in September 1908 and donated it to the city for the purpose of a park, which is named Geiser-Pollman Park in their honor.
Object ID	2006.4.5
Place	Baker City

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Last modified on: December 09, 2017