George, Cynthia (1829-1920)

GEORGE, SAYLOR, HIGBEE, MILLS, WARBURTON, CATE

Posted By: Lonnie Polok (email)
Date: 7/13/2014 at 20:51:55

Mrs. Cynthia George, whose maiden name was Saylor was born in New York, December 1, 1829. Her parents were of Devolutionary stock and pioneers in their locality. In 1845 this family moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, when she finished her education at the Rockford seminary and taught county school. On January 4, 1852 she was united in marriage to Sampson George at Rockford, Ill., and the following spring they emigrated to Buchanan county, Iowa, coming all the way with an ox team and covered wagon, camping by the way. They first settled one and a half miles from Littleton and went to work to carve out their future, their sole resources being what household effects they brought in their wagon, from willing hands and $1.50 in money. The following year they moved to their permanent home, three and half miles southeast of Fairbank where their eight children were born and reared. In 1879 they bought and moved to a farm one mile west of Independence which they improved to one of the finest farms in the county. They sold this home in the spring of 1890, the husband dying a few months later. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. George resided in Independence until failing health compelled her to give up the home. For the past five years she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. W. M. Higbee in Fairbank. Being among the first settlers in Buchanan county Mrs. George and her husband endured all the hardships and privation of pioneer life, but being blessed with good health and ambition, they thoroughly enjoyed it, and prospered financially. Mrs. George was possessed of an unusually keen intellect and intense interest in public affairs which she retained to the last. She died May 20, 1920 in the home, of her daughter, Mrs. C. A. Mills in Waterloo of bronchial trouble following a hard cold. Four sons and three daughters survive her, as follows: Wm. S., Leadviile, Colo.;. Lelia M. Warburton, Ames, Iowa; H. G., Fairbank, Iowa; Mrs. C. A. Mills, Waterloo, Iowa; E. S., Grettinger, Iowa; and C. S., Grinnell, Iowa. All the children were at the funeral except William. Funeral services were held in the home of C. A. Mills in Waterloo, May 22, conducted by. Rev. M. L. Cate, rector of Christ's Episcopal Church, of which she has long been a devoted member. Interment at Littleton cemetery by the, side of her husband in the family lot.
- Oelwein Register, Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa; Wednesday, November 16, 1921; page 8