John A. George was born in Moniteau County, Mo., in 1847, being the fourth child born to Rufus and Prudence (McGirk) George, a short outline of whose life is given in the sketch of Isaac M. George. John George also received his education in the subscription schools of early days. At the age of twenty-two years he began farming for himself, and in 1870 joined a colony organized by N. H. McGirk and went to South America, settling in Venezuela, but not being satisfied with the country they returned home at the end of one year. They suffered many hardships while there, and although they set out one crop of cotton, it did not mature. Mr. George worked in the gold mines for about six months. After his return home he made one crop with his father, and in the fall of the same year married Elizabeth Russell and settled on a farm on Moreau Creek, where he resided eight years and then sold out, and has since rented the large farm belonging to his father-in-law, J.S. Russell, near Russellville. He has recently purchased a part of his father's old farm on Moreau Creek, of which he will soon take possession. It comprises about 160 acres, sixty acres being choice creek bottom land, and on it is a fine orchard and other improvements. Mr. George is a Democrat, and he and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Russellville. He and wife have the following family: Jasper W., Meck R., Eunice Edna, Niles Isaac, Semerida E. and Gracie A., living, and Walter R., Joseph S. and John J., deceased.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).