GEORGE W. MELVIN, living on section 14, Rubicon township, devotes his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, having a farm of three hundred and forty acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. He is one of the native sons of the township, born January 13, 1856, his father being T. E. Melvin and his brother, Sylvester Melvin, who is represented elsewhere in this work.
George W. Melvin was reared in the usual manner of farm kinds of the period, working in the fields when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. He began his education in the district schools and continued his studies in the Greenfield high school. Throughout the period of his youth he remained with his father and largely aided him in the labors of field and meadow.
On the 27th of September, 1877, Mr. Melvin wedded Miss Ada E. Twitchell, a native of this county, reared and educated here. Her father, Julius Twitchell, was one of the early settlers who came from Vermont to Illinois. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm whereon they now reside. At that time the place comprised only one hundred and ten acres and was a part of the old family homestead. With characteristic energy Mr. Melvin began the further development and cultivation of land and, prospering in his undertaking, he has been enabled to extend the boundaries of his farm from time to time until it now comprises three hundred and forty acres. Upon this place he has a large neat two story residence, in the rear of which are good barns and other substantial outbuildings. He has also planted an orchard and has made permanent improvements so that his farm is now splendidly equipped in keeping with modern agricultural ideas. He has also raised and fed stock for many years, fattening from forty to fifty head of steers, annually, together with a large number of hogs. He is an excellent judge of stock and in this branch of his business as well as in the cultivation of the fields he has met with good success.
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin are the parents of three children: Luella E., who reached womanhood and died March 29, 1904; Ethel, the wife of G. S. Hedgecock, a farmer living on the Melvin place, by whom she has one child, Frederick Melvin Hedgecock; and Grant E., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp. Since age gave to him the right of franchise he has endorsed the principles of the Republican party, casting his first presidential ballot for James A. Garfield. He has had no political aspirations, yet served for a time as a member of the school board. Throughout his entire life he has lived in Greene county and is known as a man of integrity in business and social life, having the confidence and respect of all and the friendship of many.