Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 390
HON. GEORGE W. DILLAWAY, wholsale and retail dealer in queensware, established business in Muscatine in 1857, and for over thirty years has been one of its prominent merchants. He was born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 16, 1828, and is a son of William and Susan ( Bassett ) Dillaway. His mother was a descendant of John Wesley, and his grandfather was a soldier of the War for Independence, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. Mr. Dillaway's father was of French Descent. He engaged in commerce, owning many vessels, and trading with foreign ports. During the War of 1812 he was employed in the military service of our Government.

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native city and educated in the Elliott School. He then served a three years apprenticeship to the ship carver's trade; he did nor follow that vocation, however, but shipped as super cargo in one of his father's vessels, for St. Petersburg, Russia. On his return to Boston he engaged in the clothing business in that city, which he carried on successfully for seven years, but in 1857, his health failing, he came West and settled in Muscatine, Iowa. He began business in his present line, and for several years was located in what is known as Weed's Block, on West Second street. In 1877 he built the commodious brick block, No. 118 West Second street, which he has since occupied. It is 140 feet deep, twenty-five feet wide, and three stories high with a basement. His china store is one of the largest and most elegantly arranged of any in the State, and in addition to the building described, he occupies three buildings with a ground floor area of 140x60 feet, one of the buildings being two stories in height. He does a general wholesale and retail trade, and has built up a large and increasing business. Mr. and Mrs. Dillaway are the parents of two children, William and Lucretia, both of whom are at home.

Mr. Dillaway is well known as one of the most energetic, enterprising business men of Muscatine. Earnestly desiring to please his customers, he chooses his goods with a view of satisfying all, while his stock is full and complete. In connection with his private business interests he has aided greatly in advancing any enterprise for the public welfare. He was largely instrumental in securing the construction of the splendid system of water works, which were built at Muscatine in the year 1875, and was chosen President of the company, holding the position for two years. In his political sentiments Mr. Dillaway is an earnest Republican, having been a stanch supporter of the principles and policy of that party since its organization. He has been called upon to serve the public in various official capacities; was a member of the City Council in 1876 and 1877, and served as Mayor of Muscatine in 1879, 1880 and 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Dillaway and their daughters are members of the Baptist Church. They hold an enviable position in the social world, and well deserve the respect and esteem of their many friends.

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