Thirty-six years have come and gone since George W. PAGE arrived in Taylor county after a residence of eight years in Warren county, this state. He has been closely associated with agricultural interests and the promoter of various other enterprises, which have been direct forces in the development and improvement of this section of the state. He has always been diligent and persevering in his business career, utilizing advantages which others have passed by heedlessly, and the course which he has pursued in his business career is one which at all times will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. One of Ohio's native sons, Mr. PAGE was born in Brown county, December 31, 1835, and there the days of his boyhood and youth were passed upon a farm in the midst of the green forests. He remained with his father until seventeen years of age and then started out in business life for himself, working as a farm hand by the day and month. In the year 1857 he removed to Livingston county, Illinois, where he worked on farms for a time, after which he rented land and so carried on general agricultural pursuits for nine years.

While in Livingston county, in 1859, Mr. PAGE was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane LIVINGSTON, who was born in Licking county, Ohio. In 1865 they removed to Iowa, driving across the country with teams to Warren county, Mr. PAGE trading for property in Indianola. They afterward spent one winter at Hartford, Iowa, and afterward took up their abode on the Des Moines river, where Mr. PAGE owned forty acres of land. There he engaged in logging and in manufacturing lumber, devoting three years to that business. His labors brought him a substantial prosperity, after which he purchased another forty acres south of Sandyville, Iowa. With characteristic energy he began its cultivation and development, making his home thereon until 1873, when he sold out and removed to Lenox. About the same time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ringgold county. He spent one summer on that land but could get no perfect title, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Platte township. He then engaged in farming that property from 1875 until the spring of 1888, when he sold out and removed to Lenox. He had purchased three hundred acres, constituting the south half of section 8, Platte township, erected buildings thereon and cultivated his fields. He afterward bought forty acres adjoining the town and later laid out an addition to the town, selling part of his land in town lots. On his place he erected two large barns and four residences. He has a cement house, which is the only cement residence in Lenox. It is built in neat and attractive style of architecture and has but recently been completed. He also has a cement garage and factory and has been manufacturing cement blocks, sewer pipe, drain tile and burial vaults, carrying on an extensive business in this field of labor. He is a man of deep business discernment and unfaltering enterprise and probably no one has done more toward the upbuilding and improvement of the city of Lenox than Mr. PAGE. Although he is now seventy-four years of age, he is still very active from daylight to dark and is yet numbered among the most progressive men of the community.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. PAGE was blessed with one son and five daughters. Abraham, who is married and is operating the home farm, is also engaged in raising live stock and is the owner of a large automobile. Betsy Ann is the wife of William STANCAMP of Lenox. Alta is the wife of Fred WORM. Etta is the wife of Arthur NICHOLS of Cass County, Iowa. Jennie Paul is living in Omaha. Emma is the wife of Mart HAYES, who is living upon a part of her father's farm.

Politically Mr. PAGE is a democrat. He cast his first presidential vote, however, for Abraham LINCOLN in 1860 and in 1864 voted for General McCLELLAN. He has since supported every presidential nominee of the democratic party with two but has never sought or held office. His wife is a member of the Christian church and he is a Master Mason, having been identified with the fraternity since 1869. In his life he has exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His intense and well-directed activity throughout his long and useful career has constituted the basis of his success and has won him a prominent pace among the most honored citizens of the county.

SOURCE:  CROSSON, Frank E. History of Taylor County, Iowa: From The Earliest Historic Times to 1910  Pp. 427 - 429. S.J. Clarke Pub. Chicago. 1910.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008