Earley, George G.

EARLEY, SIMMONS, MCCLAINE, BURKE, ASHING

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2009 at 12:59:12

Earley, George G.

The name of George G. Earley is too familiar to the readers of this book to need any special introduction here, for he has long been one of Jasper County's leading citizens, having taken a conspicuous part in the general development of this locality and led an honest and upright life. He was born in Franklin County, New York, October 11, 1841, and he is the son of James and Sophia (Simmons) Earley. The mother was a native of Montreal and the father of Ireland. The latter was in the British army and took part in the War of 1812, then returned to England and was in the Battle of Waterloo against Napoleon in 1815. He later came back to America, through Canada, where he met his wife. He located in Franklin County, New York, where he spent his life on a farm until his death, in 1850, his widow surviving until 1865, dying in Mt. Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio, where the family had moved after the death of Mr. Earley. There were eleven children in this family who grew to maturity, namely: John died in 1871; Thomas died in Michigan; James died in Leon, Decatur County, Iowa; Patrick was accidentally killed in 1850; Dr. William Earley died in Topeka, Kansas; Peter lives in Marion County, Iowa, being a retired merchant; Edward died in Republic County, Kansas, in 1891; George G., of this review; Catherine died in Morrow County, Ohio; Maria, Mrs. McClaine, lives at New Sharon, Iowa; Harriet M. lives in Jefferson City, Missouri.

George G. Earley was ten years old when he moved with his parents from Franklin County, New York, to Morrow County, Ohio, in 1851, and two years later he came to Iowa, driving horses, coming with strangers, and he landed at Keokuk. He had received a meager schooling, and he began his business career when but a boy. He associated with his brother in a store at Keokuk and remained there until 1856, when he returned to Ohio, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked successfully for a period of three years, or until the breaking out of the Civil War. He was quick to respond to his country's call, the first call, in fact, for troops to put down the rebellion, and on April 19, 1861, before the echo of the guns that fired on Fort Sumter had hardly died away, he enlisted in Company I, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service on April 25th. After his three months' term of service had expired he enlisted for three years on June 21, 1861, in the same company and regiment, and he served with gallantry until June 21, 1864. He was in the Battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia, under McClellan; he was also in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, under General Buell; he also took part in the great Battle of Stone River, under General Rosecrans, and was taken prisoner there, January 1, 1863. He was in prison for about a month, and soon the entire regiment was taken on the General Streight raid at Rome, Georgia, and were sent to Libby Prison, and there they were later paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, except the officers, who were not paroled. They were then exchanged and returned to the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the non-commissioned officers commanded the company, Mr. Earley being in command of Company I, which position he held until discharged on June 21, 1864, the commissioned officers having been held as prisoners continuously.

After the war he returned to Mt. Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio, and resumed work at his trade, which he followed until February 14,1865, when Mr. Earley re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with his usual faithfulness until January 20, 1866. His regiment went as far south as Macon, Georgia, where he received a commission as second lieutenant, and. he was the first commissioned officer put in command at the Andersonville post, and he had the distinction of building the first fence around that place, having entire charge of the work there, performing his duties, as he had previously done at all times in a manner that elicited the praise of his superior officers. After his discharge on January 20, 1866, Mr. Earley returned again to Morrow County, Ohio, and in March 1866, he came west to Mahaska County, Iowa, working at his trade there for six months, when he returned to Ohio, following his trade there for two years. In 1869 he returned to Mahaska County, Iowa, and after working there a short time at his trade he came to Jasper County, Iowa, in March 1872, locating in Palo Alto Township, and engaged in farming, where he developed a fine farm and established a good home, and where he lived until 1888, when he moved to Newton, in which city he has since resided, having a commodious and attractive home; however, he farmed for several years after moving here, making his home in the edge of the city. He then engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, owned by J. W. McLaughlin, with whom he remained four years. He then launched into the real estate business, with W. M. Hill, which lasted for about eight years, the partnership being dissolved about eight years ago, after building up an extensive business.

Mr. Earley was married, first, to Martha Burke, of Knox County, Ohio, their marriage occurring in Morrow County in 1864, and two children were born to this union: Wilbur L., who died in 1891 at Helena, Montana, at the age of twenty-five, his birth having occurred on July 6, 1865; Martha died in infancy. The mother of these children passed away on March 10,1870, and in September of that year Mr. Earley was married to Laura P. Ashing, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 30, 1844. To this union these children were born: Ernest L., born August 24, 1871, is associated with his father in the real estate business; Martha H. was born in March 1873; Letta M. was born on June 20, 1875. She is dean of the music department of Adrian College at Adrian, Michigan; Mamie E., who died August 11, 1908, was born in 1877; Carrie L., who was born February 2, 1880, died August 24, 1907. A sketch of her appears elsewhere in this work. Maud E. Earley, born December 22, 1883, died in January 1903; George A., born in Palo Alto Township, this County, February 1884, is a drug clerk in Newton.

Mr. Earley has long taken an abiding interest in the affairs of his city and County, and he was mayor of Newton from 1897 to 1890, during which time he did much for the permanent good of the town and community. Since then he was elected councilman from the second ward, but resigned after four months service. He has served eight years on the board of directors of the independent school district of Newton and he has over a year yet to serve. He was twice the nominee of the Greenbacks and the Democratic Party (combined) for the Legislature, but was defeated by a small plurality. He was also nominated for County clerk on the Greenback ticket. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a man whom to know is to admire and respect, for his life has been exemplary and his services to his country commendable in a high degree. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 560.