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         GEORGE I. CHURCH, the popular and old-time barber of Columbus Junction, Iowa, is a native of St. Joseph County, Mich., born Feb. 9, 1852. His parents were Isaac and Sophia (Bennett) Church, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of New York State. Our subject was reared and educated in his native State, and when seventeen years of age began his apprenticeship to the barber’s trade at Constantine, Mich. A year later, in 1870, he came to Louisa County, Iowa, for his health, and for some time made his home with his uncle, Seth Curtis, in Concord Township, working at various things as his health improved. In 1875 he built his present shop, and engaged in business in the line of his trade, which he has carried on with marked success continuously since. A sketch of his business appears in the descriptive history of Columbus Junction.

On the 13th of December, 1871, in Concord . . .

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. . . Township, Louisa County, Iowa, Mr. Church was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Stone, daughter of the Rev. George Stone, now of Columbus Junction; she was born in this county, and is a member of the Church of God. Her parents were early settlers, and their sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Church have been the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters—Willie, Virdie, Derwood, Annie, Robert, Charles, Jessie, Molly and an infant. Mr. Church is a Democrat in politics, and has served several years as a member of the School Board. Socially, he is a member of Columbus City Lodge No. 107, A. F. & A. M.; of Columbus Junction Lodge No. 365, I. O. O. F., and Liberty Lodge No. 22, K. of P., all of Columbus Junction. Mr. Church has applied himself to his business steadily from the beginning, with a determination to succeed. He employed skilled assistants, and by courtesy, promptness and good work, has secured the best line of custom of the town. As fast as his savings warranted it he invested in property which he improved, and now in addition to his place of business he owns his residence and another dwelling. His course commends itself to the attention of those who, starting poor, use every dollar as fast as they earn it, seeming to be oblivious to the fact that industry, frugality and economy are essential to success.