My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM E. GEORGE, dealer in grain and hogs, also ticket, freight and express agent, Gettysburg, Ohio. George, his father, was a native of Germany, born in Hesse-Darmstadt in 1812; Mary, his wife, whose maiden name was Bishop, was a native of Adams Co., Penn., born in 1815; they were united in marriage in Gettysburg, Penn., where they spent their days. Mrs. George departed this life Dec. 24, 1843, Mr. George in 1879. Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Gettysburg, Adams Co., the 6th day of June, 1835; he spent his boyhood days in his native State, where he received his preparatory education in the district schools, after which he entered the preparatory department of the Pennsylvania College, where he obtained an academic education, and at the age of 20 years engaged in teaching school in the vicinity of Chambersburg, Franklin Co., which he followed about three years; came to Darke Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1857, and located in Washington Township, where he engaged in teaching in the district schools, which he followed for a period of about seven years, averaging about nine and a half months per year; he was united in marriage with Deborah H. Fonts on the 13th of January, 1861; she was a native of Indiana, born in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., on the 16th of October, 1840; her parents were natives of Maryland, and came to Indiana in an early day, On the 4th of June, 1863, the death messenger entered the household of Mr. George and removed from earth to heaven his beloved companion; after her death he sold all his real and personal property, following his profession of teaching in different localities, during which time he entered Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College of Indianapolis, where he graduated in the fall of 1865; he then came to Gettysburg, Darke Co., and resumed his profession, teaching at different places in Adams and Franklin Townships and vicinity, for about eight years. On the 28th of December, 1865, he celebrated his second marriage with Sarah M. McDowell, born in Darke Co. Jan. 4, 1844; her parents were from Pennsylvania, and came to this county in a very early day. In July, 1872, Mr. George was appointed ticket, freight, and U. S. Express agent of the P., C. & St. Louis R. R. at Gettysburg and at the same time engaged in the grain and stock trade, which he has since followed; he now has in course of erection a large elevator, 26x110, and 26 feet high, which will be supplied with all the necessary machinery; he handled about 170,000 bushels last season of different kinds of grain. Mr. George has one child by his last marriage, Myrtie A., born Oct. 10, 1871; also one child by late first wife, viz., Charles A.; born on the 3d of December, 1862; his mother died when he was but 6 months old, after which his uncle, William English, of Spartanburg, Randolph Co., Ind., took him to raise, where he now lives, but is making arrangements to engage in the drug business in Marshall, Ill. Mr. George has been identified with the various township offices since his residence here; has been clerk of the township for about twelve years, which office he now holds; appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal in 1870, having for his district, Adams, Franklin, Van Buren and Monroe Townships; he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in 1850, but after he came to Darke Co., Ohio, he cast his lot with the Presbyterians, his wife also being a member of the same church; he has accumulated a considerable amount of property by his hard labor, connected with correct business and temperate habits, in which he has been assisted by his good and noble wife; he owns 260 acres of land in Iowa, and about five acres in the corporation of Gettysburg, the whole valued at about $6,000. Mr. George commenced life without any of this world’s goods, and when he came West he borrowed $50 to bring him here, and has met with many trials and troubles since he commenced life; the greatest misfortune was in losing his right arm on the 19th of February, 1849, two and a half miles south of Gettysburg, Penn.; while feeding a thrashing machine he unfortunately got his hand caught in the cylinder, and was mangled so badly that he was compelled to have it amputated; he is a man who possesses an indominitable will, strictly honest, and a thorough business man; strictly temperate, neither chews nor smokes tobacco; is a great worker in the cause of temperance; a Republican in politics.