Jerry has had an interest in western expansion history since he was about 10 years old. He lived in Lawrence, KS at that time. Lawrence was on a branch of the Santa Fe and Oregon trails and he would explore the area looking for artifacts and relics. He would also spend time at the museum of natural history on the university campus fascinated by the display of Comanche, the horse found alive at the Battle of the little Big Horn.
He is a US Army veteran, a former teacher, a retired postal service employee, and a National Parks Service ranger. He now volunteers at Scotts Bluff National Monument doing living history and telling the story of Hiram Scott. He has been researching Hiram Scott vigorously since 2006, and continues to follow leads to find the facts and establish a foundation for the myth and legend as it is presented today.