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~ William George ~
Early settler of Elmwood, Illinois and Pella, Iowa ~

William S. George was born November 18, 1814,in Fayette or Highland co., Ohio. [It is possible they lived in that part of Highland Co. that became Fayette in 1810, however William #1., appears in Highland Co., Fairfield Twp in 1818 in the poll book. This would at least place them in Highland County.] He spent his boyhood days on his parents farm which was near the village of Lynchburg, not far from the border of neighboring Clinton co.

William m. December, 1834 in Highland co., Ohio, Susannah Wilson, b. February 2, 1814, Highland co., Ohio. Susannah's parents were, Benammi and Clarissa C. (Hall) Wilson, who were married in Lewis Co., Kentucky and may have been born in Virginia. Clarisa Hall was born September 19, 1790, the daughter of Thomas and Mary ( ------- ) Hall. Clarisa was still living with her daughter Susannah George in Pella, Iowa in 1882.

In 1839 the family emigrated to Elmwood, Peoria Co., Illinois and resided there fourteen years. The family came to Marion co. and settled in Lake Prairie Twp., Iowa in the fall of 1855 and engaged in farming. William was a renter at first but about 1860, he bought 60 acres at $10.00 per acre. Later he bought an additional 20 acres making his farm total 80 acres. This farm was located 2 1/2 miles south-east of Pella.

William worked also as a wheel wright, he had a log shop on his farm and at odd times, rainy days and during winter season as well as nights, would make wagons and cultivators. Their 80 acre farm was partly rough, with about 60 acres good tillable land and they had about 40 to 50 acres in grain. They didn't raise much stock, had a few hogs to sell in the fall and occasionally a horse or a cow. His land would produce about 40 to 50 bushels of corn per acre, which was worth at that time (1864) about twenty five cents per bushel.

William was hard pressed for farm help during the war years, all six of his sons joined up and left the farm. William was a "man for his country" and didn't object when the young twins, Abel and Jacob, wanted to join at even though they had not yet celebrated their 15th birthday. He gave his consent and said "We need soldiers".

With out his sons to help out on the farm William worked sometimes night and day and he even worked on Sundays when he was getting behind. When his neighbors scolded him for working on Sundays he said, "Well my crops will go to ruin if I don't". To help with the family's income, Susannah did considerable amount of weaving and made men's clothing for others as well as for her own family. William and Susannah would not see two of their sons return from the war. Jacob d. of Pneumonia at a Army hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Riley their oldest son was killed in action at the Battle of Averasboro in North Carolina. (Located near the present town of Dunn, NC.)

In 1880 William sold 40 of his 80 acres to O.P. Kimmill for $35.00 per acre, which was paid in cash $1,400, which William used to build a new house on his remaining 40 acres. This 40 acres with the house was sold to D. G. VanZante, in the spring of 1892, for just under $73.00 per acre. ($2,950.) He used some of that money, about $700.00 to buy a small 40 acre farm in Jasper co., near Galesburg, which was given to his grandson William S. George (Jr.) the rest and interest are what William and Susannah retired on and enabled them to live in Pella where they rented a place for $96.00 (per year).

They lived in Pella until William d. February 22, 1899, after which Susannah went to live with her son James W. in Sully, Jasper co., Iowa.

Susannah (Wilson) George, b. February 2, 1814, at Chillicothe, Ohio d. October 6, 1909, Sully, Iowa, age 95 yrs. 8 mo. 4 days. Both buried in Graceland Cemetery, Pella, Iowa.


Susannah George kept a daily journal and some of these writings have survived.
The following is from her earliest known journal, written by Susannah, in 1855.
The orignal is written in indelible graphite in a small leather covered notebook and is hardly ledgeable.


Elmwood Illinois to Oskaloosa, Iowa
October 1855 ~ by Susannah George

Started for Iowa, October the 2nd at 9 o'clock. Stoped at E. B. Georges at 4 in the evening. Stayed there til 9 next morning, left passed trough Harrisonville at 3 o'clock. Stayed 4 miles from there that night and it rained on us. Paid one dollar for feed, it still in the morning. Traded cattle with Mr. Boolman, left there at 10 o'clock, passed through Abingdon at 12 o'clock. Went 5 miles, passed trough Berwick at sunset. Camped 1 mile from there, it still rained and hailed all night. Was very thankful it was no worse. Paid 1 dollar and 10 cents for mutton and sixty cents for 3 lbs. of butter, got it of Mrs. Pierce. Started from there at 11 o'clock. Paid 75 cents for feed before we left. We passed many hills and hollows, saw some mud and some of us was discouraged. We paid 75 cents for beef and killed a rabbit, traveled 11 miles and camped. Bought 1 loaf of bread, paid 10 cents for it. Camped in a lane at Mrs. Parmers, a good spirted lass. Paid 1 dollar for feed, left at 9 o'clock, had no bad luck on the road. Killed 3 ducks, landed at Burlington on Saturday, after traveling 18 miles, too late to cross the river. Had to bake bread, camped there, lost our 2 colts that night, stayed there all day hunting colts. Shot 2 squrrels while hunting, on the sabbath day too. Stayed there all night again, started Riley back on hunt of the colts next morning. Got breakfast and crossed the river at Burlington, bought 2 dollars worth of bread, 20 cents in candles, 25 cents in tea, 60 cents worth of tar, 5 cents worth of candy Found a set of swindlers and liars in Burlington. Left there half past 10 o'clock. Traveled till 1 o'clock, gave 35 cents for one bushel of corn, gave it to the cattle. Went on and camped 12 miles from Burlington with some devil that has no concience, took the handle of the pump to keep us from getting water. Charged 1 dollar and 55 cents for laying out on the prarie, his name was Lake. Left there at sunrise, passed trough New Lundon at 12 o'clock, came to Mount Pleasant half hour befor sunset, went one mile and camped. Paid 1 dollar and 40 cents for bacon in Mt. Pleasant, and 80 cents for pasture and feed at our camping place. Left there at sunrise, came to big creek half mile from there; Watered there. Went 3 and half miles from there, and crossed Skunk River. Crossed the river on the bridge, paid 1 dollar and 20 cents toll. Met David English, 3 miles from there, began to want water, but could not get any. Asked a boy if I could get a drink for a sick boy, he says what?, and I asked him again and he said "no sir you can't." We tryed again and again, but there was so many going to Fairfield to the state fair, that they had taken all the water. We traveled 16 miles and stoped at Mr. Higanbothams to camp, but could get but one pail of water, and our horses and cattle had to do without water. All though it was very warm and dry weather in the morning the weather was very cool. Went 7 miles and stopped at Fairfield, bought 5 cents worth of crackers and dirt togeather. Went on 8 miles from Fairfield, camped where there was pleanty of water and feed and pasture. Paid the man 1 dollar, his name was Overturf, he came from Ohio. We had to bake bread in the morning before we started. We traveled 16 miles that day. Killed 1 squrrel, 1 prarie chicken, six quails. Could not get pasture for the cattle. James took sick that day. Had to bake bread, paid 13 cents for a sheeve of oats. Left the camp next morning. Just after sunrise heard of Beaven's oxteams; followed and on and over took them 10 miles from Oskaloosa. Stoped there and waited for other teams to get up with us. Waited til we was tired and turned around and went back to meet them. - No bread to be bought, gave 25 cents for half basket of corn meal and 11 cents for potatoes. Passed trough Fremont at noon. Went on till we came with in 4 miles of Oskaloosa. Camped at a quakers after 6 miles traveled, paid 55 cents, the amount of our bill. Shot 3 quails that day. Left next morning at sunrise came to Oskaloosa at 11 o'clock, traveled 4 miles and camped at the 4 miles. We bought 50 cents worth of bread in Oskaloosa, it lasted till breakfast next mourning. We ate it up and came 5 miles to Mr. Bevans, and stoped there till the next morning. <> End of Journal

Total miles traveled per day during the trip from Elmwood to Oskaloosa, Iowa





      Day     Miles
      1          9
      2          15
      3          12
      4          11
      5          8
      6          0
      7          12
      8          16
      9          16
      10         15
      11         16
      12         17
      13         13
      14          5
      14 days      175 total miles.       Average 12.5 miles per day

~ Obituary of William S. George ~ From The Pella Blade -

March, 1899 ~ Death of William S. George

William S. George was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November the 18th, 1814 and was married to Susannah Wilson, Dec. 7, 1831 in his native state of Ohio. They had ten children born to them, seven sons and three daughters. Six sons served in the late war of the rebellion, in the union army, and only four returned home. Riley, the oldest son, fell in the battle of Avers Borrough, North Carolina, and Jacob died in camp at Little Rock, Arkansas. Of the three daughters dead two died in Pella, Iowa and one at St. Charles, Iowa. Mr. George and wife moved to Illinois in 1841 and lived there fourteen years then moved to Pella, Iowa in 1855 and have remained here since. Mr. George was highly respected by all who knew him. He died Feb. 24th 1899, aged 84 years, 8 months and 6 days. His wife and 4 sons survive him, the 4 sons were present at the funeral. Three live in Iowa and one in Illinois.

Card of Thanks
We desire to thank those who so kindly aided us during the sickness and cheered us by their sympathy after the death of one husband and father.
Mrs. Wm. George and four sons.

~ Obituary of Mrs. Susannah George ~

Mrs. Susannah George died at the home of her son, James W. George, at Sully, Ia., after an illness of only five days, at the good old age of 95 years, 8 months, and 4 days. Death was due to old age and an abscess in her right side caused from a fall of many years back. Susannah Wilson was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1814, [Her parents were Benammi & Clarica (Hall) Wilson, who were married in Lewis Co., Kentucky in 1811.] She was married to William S. George at Lynchburg, Ohio, Dec. 7, 1834. To this union were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all have gone before except four sons, W.B., J.W., A.T., and M.M., all were at the bedside of their mother at the time of her death except W.B. Six sons served in the Civil War. Two having lost their lives while there. Riley was killed at the battle of Aversborough, North Carolina. Jacob died of sickness at Little Rock, Arkansas. She left direct descendents to the number of 116. Besides four sons she left to mourn her loss 24 grand children, 71 great grand children, and 17 great great grand children. All was done that loving hands could do to make her last hours easy.

Children of William and Susannah George
+59.  I.  Riley  b. March 25, 1836 ~ Ohio   d. March 16, 1865
 +60. II.  Lydia Jane  b. Feb. 8, 1838 ~ Ohio d. Feb. 16, 1872  ~   m. Nathanial David Walton
+61.  III.  Rebecca S.  b. July 11, 1840 - Ohio d. July 20, 1867  ~   m. Samuel Baty
+62.  IV.  Wilson B.  b. July 21, 1842 ~ Illinois   d. April 1, 1927
 +63. V.  James W.  b. Aug. 31, 1844 ~ Illinois  d. April 11, 1928
 +64. VI.  Fountain W.  b. March 16, 1847 ~ Illinois  d. May 31, 1887
 +65. VII.  Jacob J.  b. April 11, 1849  ~  Illinois   d. Sept. 2, 1863
+66. VIII.  Abel T.  b. April 11, 1849  ~  Illinois ~  d. April 2, 1934
67. IX.  Marion M.  b. June 23, 1852 ~ Illinois  ~ d. Dec. 24, 1937
 68.  X.  Mary Adiline  b. March 26, 1856 Iowa  ~  d. Aug. 27, 1879  ~   m. Adelbert Washburn

Abel T. and Jacob George were twins, born in Elmwood, Illinois.

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2nd generation William & Susannah George Family
Third Generation entire William & Tabatha George Family