[glammazon]

Andrew Wheat was the real life counterpart of Andy Gump, Sidney Smith learned of him through his dentist brother Thomas and was able to gain Mr. Wheat's permission to use him and his family as character in his new comic strip.  Mr. Wheat's appearance was unusual in that he had no jaw, it had had to be amputated due to a bad infection.  His wife was named Minerva, and his sons were named Chester and Hercules Wheat.  He even had an Uncle Bim!  Mr. Wheat legally changed his name to Gump as per their contract, but it was he who actually brought the Gumps strip about, more than Sidney Smith.  Rest in peace, old shaver.