[p. 486] parole agent of the Pennsylvania Reform School, been a resident of New Castle, for more than half a century. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1837, and is a son of Henry Permar.
Henry Permar, the father, was one of the earliest pioneers of Steubenville, Ohio, and was a very successful business man. In 1847 he purchased the Chief Justice Marshall, the largest side-wheel veessel plying on the Mississippi River, but he did not long enjoy his new possession and the business supremacy it meant to him, for he died at Natchez, Miss., of cholera, December 23, 1847. Owing to bad management on the part of the men in charge, the boat, his capital, was lost to the family.
George M. Permar was reared in Steubenville, which continued his home until his fourteenth year, when he went to Pittsburg and learned to be a roll turner. He continued at that occupation until 1856, when he located in New Castle and engaged in the mercantile business, with his brother, John M. Permar, having charge as manager of a big department store. In 1859, he engaged in business for himself, the firm later becoming Permar & Morriss, grocers and wool dealers. In 1862, the Civil War being in progress, he listed in Company E, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months' service, that time being spent in Maryland. He was mustered out and returned home, but later re-enlisted as a member of Company E, Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. With his regiment he started for Gettysburg, but the battle was fought before their arrival, and after a sixty days' absence they returned to New Castle. Mr. Permar then resumed his business under the name and style of Permar & Morriss, continuing three years. He then engaged in the grocery business for himself until his election as overseer of the poor, an official position he filled with credit for a period of twelve years. He was next in the employ of the city several years, and in 1891 elected by the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Reform School, as parole agent, and he has since occupied that office without interruption. He has always taken a prominent part in political affairs, giving freely of his time and energy in supporting the candidacy of his friends.
On November 17, 1864:, Mr. Permar was united in marriage with Adeline H. Hill, whose father, Rev. B. S. Hill, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of two children: Bryan Scott, who now resides in Boston, Mass.; and Jessie Shiras, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Permar have also reared with parental care an adopted daughter, Ernestine D., who now lives with them. Religiously, they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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