Professional Wrestler. Frank Gotch is considered to be the greatest wrestler of all time. He was born in Humboldt, Iowa, and according to his tombstone, he was born in 1877 although several sources list him as being born in 1876 or 1878. In that era, professional wrestling was a real sport, unlike the professional wrestling of today. As a young man, Gotch was trained by the legendary wrestler, Farmer Burns. In 1904, Gotch, who was 6 feet tall and weighed about 205 pounds, won the American Heavyweight Championship by defeating Tom Jenkins. In 1908, Gotch became World Heavyweight Champion when he defeated the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, George Hackenschmidt, the Russian Lion. Gotch would also beat Hackenschmidt three years later in a rematch. At this time, Gotch was one of the most famous athletes in the world. Gotch died on December 16, 1917, of kidney failure, brought on by uremic poisoning.

Professional Wrestler. Frank Gotch is considered to be the greatest wrestler of all time. He was born in Humboldt, Iowa, and according to his tombstone, he was born in 1877 although several sources list him as being born in 1876 or 1878. In that era, professional wrestling was a real sport, unlike the professional wrestling of today. As a young man, Gotch was trained by the legendary wrestler, Farmer Burns. In 1904, Gotch, who was 6 feet tall and weighed about 205 pounds, won the American Heavyweight Championship by defeating Tom Jenkins. In 1908, Gotch became World Heavyweight Champion when he defeated the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, George Hackenschmidt, the Russian Lion. Gotch would also beat Hackenschmidt three years later in a rematch. At this time, Gotch was one of the most famous athletes in the world. Gotch died on December 16, 1917, of kidney failure, brought on by uremic poisoning.

Bio by: Anonymous