Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 647
CAPT. GEORGE W. CHASE

Capt. George W. CHASE, Postmaster at River Sioux, has been identified with the interests of Harrison County people long enough to entitle him to a notice in this connection, coming as he did, to the county at the close of the Rebellion.

He is the son of John S. and Diantha (PALMER) CHASE, natives of New Hampshire. The grandfather was Isaac CHASE, and his wife was Mary (HUNT) CHASE, both natives of New Hampshire, but whose ancestors came from England. Our subject's mother's parents were Timothy and Elizabeth PALMER, whose ancestors lived in London. Mr. and Mrs. John CHASE are the parents of eleven children, our subject being the oldest. Eight of the family still survive. George W.'s early life was spent in the Old Granite State, noted for its rock-ribbed hills and fertile valleys. Here he received his education, which was completed at the High School. In August, 1861, when New England was responding to the President Lincoln's call for more troops, to put down the Civil War, which had just fastened itself upon the United States a few months previous, our subject enlisted in Company I, of the Fourth New Hampshire Infantry as a Private. He was discharged from that regiment, and in August, 1862, reenlisted in Company E, Tenth New Hampshire Infantry. Was elected Orderly Sergeant, was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company A, then First Lieutenant of Company H, and finally Captain of Company F. Was first in the Army of the Potomac and later of the Army of the James. Among the engagements he took part in, may be mentioned Fredericksburg, Waterloo, Va.; the second fight at Fair Oaks, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Chapin's Farm, Proctor's Run and numerous other engagements, and was discharged June 21, 1865, at Richmond, Va., the capital and stronghold of the Southern Confederency. He returned to New Hampshire and in February, 1866 came to Chicago and to Harrison County the same year, and engaged at farming, which he followed for ten years. He was appointed Postmaster by President Arthur in February, 1883, and has held such position ever since.

He was united in marriage April 27, 1853 to Charlotte BEAN, daughter of Daniel and Mary (POWELL) BEAN. The POWELL family came over in the "Mayflower" and our subject's wife, is a second cousin of Daniel WEBSTER. Mr. and Mrs. CHASE have no children. Mr. CHASE is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife is an Adventist. Capt. CHASE is identified with the Republican party, casting his first ballot for John C. FREMONT.

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