Born on January 27, 1900, in Richland, Kansas, Georgia Neese was the daughter of a wealthy businessman. She graduated from Washburn College (now Washburn University of Topeka) in 1921 and then sought a theatrical career in New York City. She found work with various touring stock companies and for a time was with Earl Carroll╒s company. In January 1929 she married her manager, George M. Clark, from whom she was later divorced. In 1930 she returned to Kansas to care for her ailing father and soon became involved in local Democratic politics. In 1936 she was elected to the Democratic National Committee. She also gradually assumed direction of her father╒s business interests╤the local bank, stores, a grain elevator, and considerable real estate╤and in 1937, after his death, she became president of the Richland State Bank. She was a strong supporter of President Harry S. Truman, campaigned effectively for his nomination and election in 1948, and in June 1949 was nominated by him to the post of treasurer of the United States. On her confirmation a few days later she became the first woman to hold the post, which thereafter was regularly occupied by a woman. Her signature was subsequently reproduced on all paper currency printed during her incumbency. On leaving the treasury in January 1953 she returned to Kansas. In that month she was married to A. J. Gray. She continued a member of the Democratic National Committee for some years. In 1964 her Richland bank moved to Topeka and was renamed the Capital City State Bank, of which she remained president. For a few months in 1967 she was chairman of the advisory council of the Small Business Administration.
