WILLIAM M. GEORGE, the proprietor of an extensive lumber business and feed store in McDonald, Penn., was born February 13, 1835, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county. He is a son of John, and grandson of Robert George, the latter of whom was born in Ireland, and was married to Christiana Plance in eastern Pennsylvania, and moved to Miller's Run. She bore him thirteen children. The young couple first settled on the Miller's Run farm, and cleared and improved the pioneer home. They were progressive citizens and among the earliest members of the Covenanter Church, holding their first meetings in a small log cabin. The names of the family of Robert George are as follows: Thomas George, of Jefferson county, Ohio; Robert George, Carroll county, Ohio; David George and Jacob George, of Washington county, Penn.; Alexander George, of Illinois; John George and Margaret Slater, of Washington county, Penn.; Elizabeth McMasters, Carroll county, Ohio; Hannah Robinson, Pittsburgh, Penn.; Ann Ramsey and Jane Robb, of Washington county; Robert George, of Miller's Run, died August 15, 1819, aged seventy-five years. John George was born in January, 1808, on the home place in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and passed his youth there assisting in the farm work, and attending the subscription schools of the vicinity. In early manhood he selected as his life companion Sarah, daughter of William McCrea, of Cross Creek township, and brought his bride to the old home farm January 3, 1832. Two children were born to this union: Robert Jamison and William McCrea. The mother died August 3, 1836, and for his second wife Mr. George was married in September, 1837, to Margaret Roney, who died May 29, 1838. His third wife, to whom he was married August 6, 1841, was Jane Slater, who bore him children as follows: Christiana; Martha A., who died May 1, 1843; Robert J.; M. G. Taggart; Margaret A. Slater; M. E. Coleman; and Mary E. Carithers. Mr. George was a farmer and stock raiser and an energetic business man, and in religious connection a stanch member of the Covenanter Church. William M. George was educated in the district schools, and on December 25, 1872, was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Robert Speer, of Ohio. The children born to this union are: John Ralph Speer, Robert Howard, William McCrea, Arthur Melville, Louella Blanche and Mary Edna. Mr. George learned the carpenter's and builder's trade in early life, following it several years. In 1873 he came to McDonald, and opened a lumber business and a grist-mill, having recently given his whole time to the former occupation, in connection with a feed store, recently added. He has the most extensive business of the kind in McDonald, the old firm name, George & Wallace, being succeeded by W. M. George & Co. (limited). Their success is due to arduous effort, The principles of the Covenanter Church were inculcated in the mind of Mr. George from childhood, and he has ever been a strong advocate and earnest supporter of that Society.

Text taken from page 327 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Paula Talbert of Caldwell, OH as part of the Beers Project. Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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