Wiedrich, George D., is the recognized leader in general mercantile business in the town of Bergen, N. Y., a progressive man of advanced ideas. He was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., August 21, 1853. Henry Wiedrich, father of George D., was bound out to a farmer, with whom he lived until he was seventeen, when, on account of ill treatment and no school advantages granted to him, he left and began life for himself at farm work by the month; he never had the advantages of a school education until after he was twenty-one years of age, when he availed himself of a few limited opportunities to attend school. George D. worked on his father's farm and attended the district school. When seventeen years of age he taught school for two years and then entered a general store in Elba as clerk, were he remained for fifteen years, and while there he was assistant postmaster over thirteen years. In 1886, in partnership with E. T. Chamberlain, he purchased the stock and business of a general store in Oakfield: in 1890 they purchased the stock and business of S. J. Arnold of Bergen, retaining their store in Oakfield. In 1892 they severed their co partnership relations, Mr. Wiedrich taking the Bergen store, which he has conducted ever since. His many years of experience in the mercantile business has qualified him for a successful career in that line. He has the largest and best stocked general store in town, with a trade in proportion. Since his early manhood Mr. Wiedrich manifested a keen interest in all public and political affairs, and when twenty-one years of age was elected to the office of town clerk of Elba, which he filled with credit for two years; he often represents his district in the Democratic County and assembly conventions, and 1894 was honored by the nomination for the office of assemblyman. December 29, 1875, he married Mary E. Hofman; they had two children: Walter D. and Ernest H. Mrs. Wiedrich died February 24, 1893.