James George, now living retired in Stanwood, of which town he is serving as mayor, was for many years one of the prosperous and representative agriculturists of Fremont township, owning a farm of one hundred and six acres adjoining Stanwood. The period of his residence in Cedar county covers thirty-five years and he has not only been an interested witness of its growth and development but also a factor in its upbuilding.
His birth occurred in Delaware county, New York, on the 3d of September, 1847, his parents being Peter and Jane (Callum) George. The father, a native of Scotland, came to the new world with his parents, the family home being established in Delaware county, New York. He was there married and embarked in business as an agriculturist and dairyman, meeting with success in his undertakings. He passed away in Delaware county in 1870, at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife was called to her final rest about 1900. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, namely: John, who died while serving as a soldier of the Union army; James, of this review; Peter, whose demise occurred at Chicago in 1909; David; Elizabeth, the wife of Rev. A. G. King, a minister of the United Presyterian church at Walton, New York; Mrs. Jane Hudson, a widow residing in De Lancey, New York; Mrs. Christina Lombard, a widow who makes her home in Delhi, New York; and Anna, who is now deceased.
James George was reared on the home farm in Delaware county and received excellent educational advantages. On putting aside his text-books he began assisting his father in the operation of the homestead place and was thus busily engaged until the time of his removal westward. While still a resident of his native county he was married, in March, 1875, to Miss Mary Davidson, who was likewise reared in Delaware county, New York, and there taught school for a number of terms. Soon afterward Mr. George came to Cedar county, Iowa, and purchased a tract of eighty acres near Mechanicsville, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his attention until the spring of 1892. At that time he disposed of the property and bought one hundred and six acres of land adjoining Stanwood, in the operation of which he was actively and successfully engaged for about nine years. On the expiration of that period he cultivated the best quality of cereals possible but also gave considerable attention to stock-raising and in both branches of activity met with excellent results. He is a stockholder in the Stanwood Bank and has long been numbered among the substantial and leading citizens of the community.
Mr. and Mrs. George are the parents of two children, as follows: Nellie, who is the wife of Charles Hoyman, a stock dealer of Stanwood, by whom she has two children—Verna and Willard; and Laverne, who is still at home. Mr. George is a republican in politics and now holds the office of mayor in Stanwood, giving to the public a most businesslike and progressive administration. He has served as a delegate to county conventions and has also been connected with the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he has acted in various official capacities in the lodge at Mechanicsville. His wife is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church in Stanwood and he attends its services and contributes to its support. A man of high worth and sterling integrity, he is widely respected and honored in the community in which he lives.
