Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 538
CAPTAIN GEORGE W. CHASE

The attention of the reader is now called to a short sketch of the interesting career of Capt. George W. CHASE, whose gallantry and bravery won him his title during the Civil War, and who has long been a citizen of Harrison county, where he is known as one of the oldest inhabitants. He is a man of sterling worth, who has faithfully performed his duty in every walk of life and is now passing his latter days in quiet retirement in River Sioux, surrounded by many friends. He and his good wife enjoy the distinction of being one of the oldest married couples in the county, and both are blessed with unusual health and vitality, considering their years.

Captain CHASE is a �Yankee� by birth, born in New London, New Hampshire, of February 16, 1831, a son of John and Diantha (PAMER) CHASE. Both parents were natives of the state of New Hampshire and throughout his life the father followed the vocation of farming. George W. CHASE early learned the routine of work in his farm home and when a young man gave much of his time in this direction. He also was employed more or less about railroads in the capacity of section man, etc. Early in the beginning of the Civil War, on August 6, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Fourth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, his term of service to last three years. However, he only was in service until the following February when he was discharged and returned to his home because of disability. This was brought about through an injury to his back received while unloading cannon from a transport to a surf boat. He remained at home until the following summer, and then on August 6, 1862, he again enlisted, this time as a private in Company E, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and with this regiment served until the close of the war. He was promoted from the ranks from time to time until at the time of being mustered out he bore the rank of captain of his company. While practically uninjured throughout his years of service, he had many narrow escapes. During the second battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, a bullet went through his cap and went so close to his scalp that it cut the hair off closer than a razor could have done and yet did not draw blood. Again at the battle of Petersburg he was struck by a flying piece of shell, which tore part of his clothing from his body, but did not injure him. He had several narrow escapes from being taken prisoner and attributes his good fortune in this respect to the fact that he was fleet-footed and was always able to run a little faster than his pursuer. Several of his comrades were taken and some died in prison, while others had their health permanently shattered.

Captain CHASE first came to Harrison county in July of 1866 and located in Jackson township. After the close of the war he returned to his home in New Hampshire, and from that point to St. Joseph, Missouri, he traveled westward by train; at St. Joseph he took boat which landed him at Council Bluffs; from that point to Magnolia he traveled by stage, the fare for the stage trip being nine dollars. Upon his arrival, he purCHASEd a tract of eighty acres of land on the Soldier river, where he lived for ten years. He then disposed of that and moved to River Sioux, this county, where he built and operated the first hotel which the town possessed. This, however, he retained only about eighteen months, feeling it advisable to dispose of the business on account of the serious tax on his wife's health. After disposing of the hotel, he was not located definitely for a time, living part of the time in Minnesota and part of the time in Nebraska. However, in 1883, he returned to River Sioux and took over the office of postmaster, which position he retained for eleven years. In connection with the postoffice he operated a grocery store, but after quitting the postoffice he retired from the active duties of life and is living quietly and happily, devoting his time to his home and garden. Mrs. CHASE is a remarkably well preserved woman for her eighty-five years, being as strong and active as many women of forty-five.

Captain and Mrs. CHASE were without children of their own, but their hearts were full of true parent-love and they reared to maturity two orphan children. One of these was Daniel H. Pitts, now deceased. He was station master of River Sioux for a number of years, finally being promoted to the office of chief clerk of the freight department of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad at Omaha. Daniel Pitts at his death left a widow, who was Gertrude Gleason, and two children, both of whom have been nicely educated. Ilma is a graduate of the Iowa Agricultural College at Ames and Donald H. is studying medicine, intending to make its practice his life work. The other child reared by Captain and Mrs. CHASE was Alice LaGroo. She was six years of age when they took her into their home and remained with them until nineteen years of age when she was married to Cal Willson. By him she became the mother of two children, Allie H. and Fred. Her second husband is Elmer Smith and they now reside near California Junction, and are the parents of four children, Earl, Hazel, Lois and George. Captain and Mrs. CHASE celebrated their golden wedding some years ago, having been married on April 27, 1853. Mrs. CHASE's maiden name was Charlotte E. BEAN and she is the daughter of Daniel Bean who was a native of New Hampshire, the family later coming westward to this county and state, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives.

Captain CHASE is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics he is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party. He is proud of the fact that he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont for president of the United States. Captain CHASE has ever been keenly interested in politics, but has never had any desire whatever to hold public office. He has at various times been elected as township trustee, township clerk and justice of the peace, but has never been induced to fill these offices, although deeply appreciating the sentiments which gave him the election. However, he was induced to become one of the school directors of this district and in this capacity served for twenty-two years. Although neither Captain CHASE nor his wife are members of any church society, they both attend and aid in the support of the Methodist Episcopal church at River Sioux. They have both been strong advocates of the principles of right living and try to the best of their ability to measure their lives up to the standard set by the Golden Rule. In this brief space justice cannot be done to these two useful and well-balanced lives. They both have tried to measure up to the perfect standard of living, to give a helping hand wherever possible, and now in the eventide of their lives they have the honor and loving respect which is by right theirs.

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