Monday, December 27, 2010

2010 Deadwood Wall of Fame Inductees

The City of Deadwood and the Deadwood Historical Preservation Commission inducted Carlton Gorder and Harry Burger into the 2010 Deadwood Wall of Fame:


CARLTON O. GORDER
FEBRUARY 13, 1898
DECEMBER 17, 1981
Carlton Olaf Gorder, born and raised in Deadwood, was 19 years old when he took a job as a teller at the Deadwood Office of First National Bank of the Black Hills. By the time he retired, on his 65th birthday, he had advanced to the position of Vice President and Manager of the Deadwood Office.
Carlton O. GorderHis father, Carl Olaf Gaarder, was born in Norway and immigrated to the United States. The name was changed to Gorder in about 1885. Carlton's mother was born in Chicago. The couple came to Dakota Territory in 1887, and Carl worked as a quartermaster at the Fort Meade Commissary.
Carlton was born in Deadwood in 1898. He attended schools in Deadwood, graduating from Deadwood High School in 1915. In 1928, he married Rose Augusta Degner. They had three children, Carol Ann, Carlton Thomas and Robert Kirk.
Mr. Gorder was one of the most active banking leaders in the Northern Black Hills. He was President of the South Dakota Bankers Association and a member of the American Banking Association. He was a Director and President of the Franklin Hotel Company. In 1956, he was named “Boss of the Year” by the Deadwood Jaycees. For several years after retirement, he remained active on the First National Bank Board of Directors.
He was especially active in the Deadwood community. For more than 25 years, he served as Treasurer of the Deadwood Independent School District. From 1926 through World War II, he was Chairman of the Black Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross. From 1966 to 1977, Mr. Gorder was on the Lawrence County Commission.
Mr. Gorder also served as President or Chairman of several organizations, including the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, the Deadwood Rotary Club, the Lawrence County Savings Bond Committee, the County Airport Committee, the Deadwood Recreation Board, the Lawrence County Centennial Committee and the Days of '76 Calf Catching Committee. He was also active in groups such as the Elks Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Oriental Band and the advisory council for the Order of Demolay.
When he had time, Mr. Gorder enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding. During his lifetime, he had three horses, Rusty, Captain and Silver. His favorite was Captain. He especially loved to ride Captain in the Days of '76 Parade. During his tenure on the county commission, Mr. Gorder used to take Rose on long rides around the county to inspect the roads and see which ones needed repairs. He loved the beauty of the Black Hills, and enjoyed those rides a great deal.
Mr. Gorder was also an avid sports enthusiast. He loved football, baseball, basketball, boxing and golf. He was a big supporter of Deadwood High School teams and could often be found watching softball games in the summer.
HARRY STONE BERGER
AUGUST 29, 1894
AUGUST 17, 1980
During his 36 years as Superintendent of the Deadwood School District, Harry Stone Berger shaped countless lives and sent thousands of young people out into the real world with a solid head-start on life. Many students, after they graduated, realized belatedly what a positive impact he had on their young lives. Over the years he received numerous thank-you notes from former students.
Harry Stone BergerTheir Deadwood educations made it easier for them to get into colleges and universities, and the alumnae arrived on campus instilled with respect, compassion and a work ethic that served them well throughout their lives.
Berger was born Aug. 29, 1894, in Middletown, Missouri. He studied at the University of Northern Missouri, the University of Missouri, and the University of Colorado. He was a teacher and administrator in several Missouri school districts before arriving in Deadwood in 1928 to become the town's Superintendent of schools.
That same year, he married Lucille Walter. They had two children, son James Mark Berger and daughter Marilyn Jean Jordan.
Under Mr. Berger's leadership, Deadwood Schools were rated among the top schools in South Dakota. He achieved this through careful selection of faculty – he traveled to universities in five states to personally interview teaching candidates – high academic standards and a sincere concern for each student made the Deadwood Schools stand out.
In addition, he served as a role model for the entire community. He was a 50-year member of the Rotary Club, and served a term as President. He also belonged to the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, served as a board member of the United Methodist Church, was active in Masonic lodges and was a lifetime member of the Tomahawk Country Club. He served as the Western Division President of the South Dakota Education Association and was active in a number of professional organizations.
Those who knew him say that Mr. Berger's job was much more than a job. “Mr. Berger did not know what the term 'work day' meant," said one person. "To him, his job was his life, and he worked countless hours to create the quality learning environment that he was so successful in achieving."
Mr. Berger also worked behind the scenes to help Deadwood students and their families. He helped find jobs for out-of-work parents, provided Christmas surprises for children in need, left bags of groceries on doorsteps and figured out ways for needy students to get eyeglasses and dental care.
He loved animals, particularly his cocker spaniels Freckles and Bobby. A small statue of a cocker spaniel sits atop his grave in Oakridge cemetery.

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