GANTZ, CAPTAIN HARRY -- A South Dakotan who has added his mite to the development of Orange County and California, and like all Dakotans has written for himself an enviable record of practical accomplishment not likely soon to be effaced, is Capt. Harry Gantz, the rancher from the historic Deadwood, where he was born on September 4, 1888. His father was Fred M. Gantz, a professional man of that state, who married Miss Molly Christie, a native of Virginia, still enjoying, with her husband, the blessings of life and health. Harry was an only child, and it is safe to say was not neglected in his education.
He not only attended the grammar school, but also went to high school and a first-class military school, where he remained for five years. This school was the Kemper Military School, of Booneville, Mo., from which he was graduated with the class of '07. Then he went to the Philippines, as a second lieutenant in the Philippine Constabulary. After three years he came home in 1911, and joined the regular U. S. Army as second lieutenant of infantry. In 1914 he was made first lieutenant in aviation, and in 1916 was promoted to be captain in the same arduous and dangerous field. In the fall of that year, he resigned and went to live on his California ranch. Now he has 140 acres, in Orange County, and employs eight men to maintain them in their high-water condition of development.
At Santa Barbara, on September 1, 1915, Captain Gantz was married to Miss Beatrice Wooster Miller, a native daughter and the only child of Charles Wooster Miller, now deceased, and Gertrude Benchley Miller. They were large landowners at Fullerton. Captain Gantz, who is fond of polo, horses and dogs, has completed with his gifted wife, a beautiful home of pure Spanish design which is, like his ranch, one of the real show places of the county. In national political affairs, he is a Republican, but he works untiringly for the best interests of the locality in an unpartisan manner affording a stimulating example to all young men ambitious of serving society and their country. He is an Elk, a life member of Deadwood Lodge No. 508, a member of the Fullerton Club, the Board of Trade, the Santa Barbara Country Club, and the Army and Navy Club, in each of which established organizations he is known for a strong personality and positive influence.
