George, Clarence S. 1869-1953

GEORGE, SAYLOR, QUIGGLE, KNOX, MAIN, DOUD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/3/2012 at 12:23:46

The Grinnell (IA) Herald Register; March 9, 1953

MEMORIAL SERVICES
FOR C.S. GEORGE
ARE HELD TUESDAY

Suitable memorial services for Clarence S. George, retired Grinnell business man, were held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon in charge of the pastor, Rev. W.F. Overhulser. Organ selections were played by Hoyle Carpenter of the college music faculty and the impressive Masonic ritual was conducted by F.W. Tomasek.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon in the Methodist church in Graettinger, Mr. George's home before he moved to Grinnell 38 years ago. The service was in charge of the pastor, Rev. A. Rasmussen and burial was made in Evergreen cemetery there.

The following obituary was read at the funeral:

Clarence S. George, son of Sampson and Cynthia Saylor George, was born on a farm near Independence, May 24, 1869 and passed away at the Community hospital, Grinnell, at 10:20 a.m. Monday, March 9, 1953, aged 83 years, 9 months and 13 days.

The youngest of a large family of eight, he lived on the farm and attended the Independence schools graduating from the high school in 1887. He attended Iowa State college at Ames, taught school near Jewell, and then went to work in the Warburton Hardware store at Jewell.

In 1890 he formed the partnership of George Brothers with his brother Ernest, and they established a hardware and implement business in Graettinger in Palo Alto County. After this successful business venture he was selected to be cashier of the First National Bank at Graettinger, continuing there until 1915.

September 15, 1892, he was married to Susie Elida Quiggle of Chicago, and this marriage continued for 52 years, Mrs. George passing away at El Paso, Texas, June 3, 1944. To this union were born six children: Russell C. and Raymond L. of Grinnell, Frances, Mrs. John Knox, of Los Cruces, Texas, and Donald of Evanston, Illinois, all of whom survive the father. Two children, Horace and Alice Emma, died in infancy. Nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren survive their grandfather.

On June 25, 1947, Mr. George was united in marriage with Nellie Main Doud and this happy association was always evident and continued until his death.

In September of 1915, the George family removed to Grinnell where Mr. and Mrs. George were anxious to have their children educated in the Grinnell schools and at Grinnell college. Jan. 1, 1916, the firm of Richards & George was formed and Mr. George was back in his old line, the hardward business. Later he turned over his interest to his sons, Russell and Raymond, and interested himself in the organization, financing and operation of the Grinnell State Bank. For a time he was active in this bank, after which he established a loan, insurance and real estate business which he continued to operate until the time of his death.

He served two years as president of the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Stewart library board for a number of terms; helped found the 4-H fair, when he was a member of the Kiwanis Club; was a prominent worker in financing and building the Community hospital and served many years as its teasurer. A generous citizen, he gave of time and money to every worthwhile community project that Grinnell and his former home town of Graettinger needed to better the respective communities.

Mr. George was a member of the Masonic order for nearly 50 years. He was a staunch, outspoken Republican and intensely interested in local and national politics. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty-three years and served as trustee, Sunday school superintendent and teacher of the famous Robert Coutts Bible class after the death of its founder in 1934. His love for his church and his family, his inveterate reading and his contact with thousands of people, his steadfast belief in his country and its future, will long be remembered by his loved ones and his host of friends and acquaintances now that he has gone in peace to his just reward.