Gellatlyj  
 
 

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     JOHN A. GELLATLY has always been a moving and leading spirit in the advancement and improvement of his county and its county seat.  He was a hard laborer in the formation of the Commercial Club and was its first president.  In 1901 he started the first set of abstract books in the county and in various other ways he has been a leader and is of excellent standing among the people.  John A. Gellatly was born in Grass Valley, California, on July 6, 1869, the son of Andrew and Isabella (Lyle) Gellatly, natives of Scotland.  The father settled in California in 1861 and came to the Willamette valley in less than a decade, having spent the intervening time in mining.  He settled near Philomath, Benton county and there died in 1898.  The mother is still living on the old homestead there.  Our subject was reared on that farm and after good training in the common school, took a course in the Agricultural College, which was interrupted by his father's illness, on account of which he returned to the farm.  For two terms, our subject served as recorder in Benton county, being elected on the Republican ticket.  In 1901, he came to Wenatchee and here has continued since.  He was deputy auditor for a year, has handled the clerk's office for a year and has served as councilman for all the time he has resided here.  Mr. Gellatly has the following named brothers and sisters: William A., Robert H., David, Mary, Jennie Palmer, Delia Denton and Nettie Thayer.
     On July 17, 1891, at Philomath, Oregon, Mr. Gellatly married Miss Laura J., daughter of George and Hannah (Rahn) McDonald, natives of Canada, and now dwelling at North Yakima.  Mr. Gellatly is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and of the W. W., while he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. Three children have been born to this worthy couple: Florence, aged ten; Lester aged seven; Bernice, aged two.