George I. Church 1850-1913

CHURCH, STONE, FOSTER, RHODES, DUNCAN, BRIGGS

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 2/2/2023 at 06:46:43

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, June 12, 1913
page 1

George I. Church, was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, February 9, 1850. His parents were Isaac and Sophia (Bennett) Church, the former a native a Scotland and the latter of New York state. At the age of seventeen he began an apprenticeship in the barber's trade at Constantine, Michigan, which he continued until 1870, when he came to Louisa county and for a short time made his home with his uncle, Seth Curtis, in Concord township. Here it was that he met Miss Margaret Stone, daughter of Rev. George Stone, a pioneer minister of the Church of God and on the thirteenth of December 1871, they were united in marriage. To them were born fifteen children, all of whom with his wife survive with the exception of three children, two of whom died in infancy and one son, Robert, who died about six years ago. The surviving children, all of whom were present at the funeral are: William of Phillips, S. Dak.; Verdie, wife of D. R. Foster of Muscatine; George of Muscatine; Anna, wife of Carey Rhodes of Lamoni; Charles of Ft. Worth, Texas; Jessie, wife of Lew Duncan of Cedar Rapids; Joseph of the U. S. Navy; and Noah, Harry, Mollie, Rema and Louis at home. He is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. John C. Briggs, of Concord township.

In 1875 Mr. Church moved with his family to Columbus Junction and opened a barber shop on the lot where his present building stands. This shop was destroyed in the great fire of 1891 but he at once began the erection of the present two story brick building on the ruins of his former shop. For a number of years he was a valued member of the local school board and he also served for some time as a member of the city council. In religious belief he affiliated with the Church of God. Fraternally he was a valued member of the Masonic Order, The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The funeral service was held Sunday afternoon at the home on West Hill and was conducted by Rev. C. L. Wilson of Columbus City, assisted by Rev. Charles E. Ewing, and a large concourse of sorrowing friends followed the remains to their final resting place in the Indian Creek cemetery.