Gurdon Wattles

Gurdon Wattles
Gurdon Wattles in 1904
Born	May 12, 1855 Richford, New York
Died	January 31, 1932 Hollywood, California
Nationality	American
Occupation	Banker, civic leader
Known for	Financing early Hollywood

Gurdon Wallace Wattles (May 12, 1855 - January 31, 1932) was an early businessman, banker and civic leader in Omaha, Nebraska who became responsible for bankrolling much of early Hollywood. Wattles was said to possess "all the right credentials to direct Omaha's fortunes for the twentieth century in the post-pioneer era: humble beginnings, outstanding ability, a fine intellect, impeccable manners, driving ambition, and a ruthless streak."

Gurdon Wallace Wattles was the third son of James Wattles and Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Whitton. He was born on May 12, 1855 in the town of Richford, Tioga County, New York and died on January 31, 1932 at Hollywood, California. He was the grandson of Jehiel Wattles and Phoebe Lathrop; and Dr. Tower Whitton, a 1796 graduate of Dartmouth College.

His first name, Gurdon, was derived from his ancestor Brampton Gurdon who was a Member of Parliament for Sudbury (1621) and High Sheriff of Suffolk. His daughter, Muriel Gurdon, married Richard Saltonstall, Jr., the son of Sir Richard Saltonstall, Sr., who led a group of English settlers up the Charles River to settle in what is now Watertown, Massachusetts in 1630.

He was a descendant of Mayflower passengers Elder William Brewster and John Howland. He was also a descendant of John Lothropp who was an English Anglican clergyman, who became a Congregationalist minister and emigrant to New England. He was the founder of Barnstable, Massachusetts, and John Mason, an English Army Major, a Deputy Governor of Connecticut and the principle founder of Norwich, Connecticut. One of his distant relatives from his father's side is Edward Everett an American politician and President of Harvard University.