Christian, George M.

CHRISTIAN, ROWSE

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 1/13/2013 at 08:34:44

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

CHRISTIAN, GEORGE M.—Grinnell Twp—pg 891-2. Proprietor of the Chapin House. This gentleman was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 19th day of June, 1847. When a lad he learned the business of telegraphy, which occupation he followed more or less very successfully until 1870; that year he was selected by the C., R.I.&P.R.R. Company; three months later he resigned his position to engage in the hotel business; he was mine host of the Grinnell House until 1878. On the first day of March, 1877, he bought the Snyder House, which had been built but three months. He then changed the name to its present name (Chapin House). As a hotel man Mr. Christian is a perfect success, as hundreds of his patrons and friends can testify; this social qualities give him pre-eminent fitness to preside over a public house, and he had succeeded in building up an enviable reputation. He was united in marriage, to Miss Maggie Rowse, of Davenport, Iowa, September 3, 1869. By this union they have three children: Bertie, Jessie and Alma.