BIOGRAPHY: Frederick M. GEORGE, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 447-9
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Frederick M. GEORGE

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 sacrified 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.