GEORGE WAGNER, a successful farmer, was born in Hesse-Cassel, in 1825. He had lost his mother when a child, and was brought up by his grandfather. His father came to this country in 1844, but George would not come along, as he did not like his stepmother. In 1848 he was drafted into the army, and after serving two years he came to the United States, but had helped fight five hard battles. He did not like such a dangerous life, and came away, as did many others at that period.

His father, after coming to America, engaged as a piano-maker in New York, in which business he had made much money in Germany. George never joined his father in this country, but came on West to try his fortune in Cass county.

He was married in this county in a short time, to Mary Deer, a German lady, who died in 1862, leaving five children. Mr. Wagner was a second time married, to Catherine Dietrich, born in Hesse-Cassel, who came to America in her youth. She has been a most devoted wife, and the mother of six children, three of whom are married and three of whom are yet at home.

Mr. Wagner has lived in the county since 1850. He first purchased land at 25 cents an acre, and sold it after some improvement, and purchased his present home. He now owns in section 4, township 17, range 11, 100 acres of improved land, and has good farm buildings. He has forty acres of timber land on section 3, township 17, range 11. He purchased the home in 1868, and settled on it in 1870. He was Road Supervisor three terms.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are good and well known people in the county. He is a Republican, and both are upright, honest people.