| FREDERICK M. GEORGE*, a Union
veteran of the late Civil War, and the oldest justice of the peace
of Cambria county in years of service, is a son of Paul and
Margaret (Corigan) George, and was born on the old George farm,
in Washington township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, February 23,
1824. His maternal great-grandparents, Peter and Nevy
Corigan, came from Latrom, Ireland, and settled in Loretto,
Pennsylvania, where they died at greatly advanced years, and his
great-grandparents, the Georges, came from
Holland, Germany, and settled in Maryland, where they
reared a large family. Their grandson,
Philip George, became the founder of the Pennsylvania branch of the
family. Philip George left Maryland, and after stopping for a while
in Bedford county, he came, in 1811, to the Turner farm, near
Ebensburg, where he was engaged in farming. In 1821 they moved to
Washington township, Cambria county, where they died at a very old
age. Their son Paul** was born in Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, October 26, 1796, and after receiving the limited
education of that day, turned his attention to earning a livelihood
and some means of support. He was married by Rev. Prince Gallitzin,
at Loretto, Pennsylvania, on September 16, 1817, to Margaret
Corigan, a daughter of Peter Corigan, who was born in
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1794, and died on the old
homestead August 15, 1874. After marriage they lived near Cresson,
Pennsylvania, where he made a section of the Huntingdon and
Pittsburg pike. On completing this they moved to Blairsville,
Pennsylvania, where he made another section of the same pike. He at
that time owned the present site of Blairsville, and sold it for
seventy-five dollars and returned to Cambria county, where he and
his father, Philip George***,
purchased two large tracts of land in Washington township, and
cleared the land for a farm in 1820, and this has since been the old
homestead, but much of it is now sold in town lots. He followed
farming and butchering, and supplied the contractors of the old
Portage road with fresh meats in 1832. He carried the mail on
horseback from Huntingdon to Pittsburg in 1812--during the war, when
great excitement prevailed in the latter place. His grandfather,
Peter Corigan, and grand-uncle, Paul George****, served full
terms in the Revolutionary war, and his grand-uncle, Michael
George*****, served in the War of 1812. He was one of the most
prominent men of his time in the community where he resided. He was
a thoroughgoing and enterprising business man, liberal in the
support of worthy causes; he was one of that class of men who, by
industry, self-reliance and judicious management, secure a fair
competency and at the same time fulfill every duty of an honorable
and useful citizen. He was an old-line whig and later a democrat in
politics, and for many years had been a devoted member of the
Catholic church. He never aspired to position or place, but served
as school director, besides holding other township offices, and died
October 30, 1870. Their children were: Elizabeth, who
married Hon. Thomas H. Porter, and is now deceased; Mary,
wife of Wm. McGough, and now dead; 'Squire Frederick M.;
Philip P., now deceased; and Prudence M., Rachael C.
and Peter P., who are still residing on the home farm.
Frederick M. George, the oldest George now living of
these generations, was reared on the home farm, and attended the
early common schools, but is principally self-educated, and has
always been a great reader. His early life was spent on the farm,
and after serving, from 1845 to 1847, as constable of Washington
township, he was engaged for three years in studying and teaching
vocal music. In 1851 he opened a store and a hotel at Lilly. He
conducted the store until 1861, when he patriotically scarified
business interests to serve his country in her hour of need. He
enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry, and was
made quartermaster of the regiment, which position he held for over
three years. He participated in all the engagements of his regiment
in South Carolina and Virginia. Returning from the army, he turned
his attention to the improvement of his property at Lilly,
Pennsylvania. He was appointed as agent of the Adams Express
company, and held that position from July 16, 1868, to July, 1895.
He is now serving as justice of the peace, having held that office
continuously by re-election from 1852, excepting the four years he
was in the Union army. 'Squire George married Mariah J.
Curran, who was a daughter of John Curran, of Johnstown,
Pennsylvania, and died March 21, 1848, aged twenty-two years,
leaving one son, Robert L., who is now an attorney-at-law of
Gallitzin, Pennsylvania. Some years later on 'Squire George
married Mary A. Sweeney, a daughter of John Sweeney,
of Lilly, and by his second marriage has two sons: Fletcher C.,
now actively engaged in mercantile business, and Lambert E.,
assistant postmaster at Lilly, Pennsylvania. In politics, 'Squire
George has always been a strong democrat, and early in life took
quite an active interest in local politics. He is a worthy and
useful member of the Catholic church. He is a prominent as well as
one of the oldest citizens of Lilly, where he has resided all his
lifetime. 'Squire George is an example of success, which is
the result not so much of early or fortunate surroundings as of
self-reliance, energy and a steadfast devotion to the principles he
espoused at the commencement of his career. His record is one of
industry, activity and honor. |
