Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3015- It is worthy of special note that Mr. Gentry is the inventor and patenteeof several devices which have been of inestimable value in the facilitating oftelephonic service, he having been the original patentee of an automatic coincollector for telephones and his mechanical and practical knowledge havingbeen of great value to him in the service to which he has devoted virtuallyhis entire active life and to the development of which he has contributed inlarge measure:In the year 1875, in his native town of Gordonsville, Virginia, wassolemnized the marriage of Mr. Gentry to Miss Nina Mann, daughter ofWilliam H. Mann, a representative citizen of that place. Mrs. Gentry, awoman of 'most gracious personality, is a popular figure in the representativesocial activities of Atlanta and the attractive family home is known for itsgenerous hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry have six children: Mary Belle,Willie M., James H., Thomas R., Nina, and Allene.In conclusion is entered a pleasing estimate that has been previouslypublished and that is well entitled to reproduction in this article:"Mr. Gentry is a big-hearted man. Perhaps nothing in life has givenhim more pleasure than the opportunities which his position has affordedhim for helping young men, and many young men who are now occupyinghonorable and lucrative positions, recognize most gratefully the helping handthat was extended to them by him when they were boys; the good counselwhich he gave them, and the material aid which he extended and which enabledthem to set. forth on the road to fortune. He is both a just and a wise man.Recognizing the fact that the telephone business was comparatively new andlittle understood, he initiated an effective campaign of publicity and information, the results of which were far peaching. He believes that the great corporation is an economic necessity; that the vast resources of our country cannot be developed effectually through any other medium than these greatcombinations of capital. Being a just man, he believes that these great corporations should be fairly dealt with by the public and that they should dealfairly with the public, thus begetting reciprocal confidence. From the application of these principles he has popularized his company with the public toan extent that has marked no other public-service corporation in the South.His career and his methods and policies prove conclusively that there is nonatural enmity between the public and corporations."WILLIAM W. LAESEN. With eighteen years of active membership in theGeorgia bar, it is doubtful if any members of the profession have attained 'more distinctions and have gained more of the substantial successes of thecalling in so brief a time as William W. Larsen of Dublin. His name is widelyknown over the state through his different positions in public life, and inLaureng County he is prominent both as a lawyer and as a business man.His birth occurred in the Village of Hagan, in what was then Tattnall,now Evans County, Georgia, August 12, 1871. His parents, Peter and AnnaMargaret Nelson, were both born at Tulestrup near Copenhagen, Denmark,and were splendid examples of Danish-American citizens. His father was agraduate of a German Military College, had learned the trad? of machinistin his native town and at Copenhagen, and after finishing his military training was offered by the King of Denmark a military commission for servicein the West India Islands. He was born March 13, 1834, and in the meantimehaving married and having a growing family he declined the commission andin 1864 set out alone for the New World, landing in New York City. Therefor one year he worked and attended school, and then sent for his wife, whoarrived in New York City in May, 1865. In the early part of 1866 they cameSouth, spent a short time in. Savannah, but owing to the ill health of his wifea year later they moved to Tattnall, now Evans County, Georgia, in 1867. Inthe Village of Hagan the father set up a blacksmithing, wagon manufactur-