GEORGE E. DEWEESE. Among the rising young farmers of the present generation who, within the last decade, have become important factors in sustaining and extending the material interests of Morgan County, the gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch occupies no mean position. He is bright, alert and talented, and possesses fine business qualifications that have already won him a reputation for sound judgment, keen discrimination and far reaching forethought. He owns a valuable farm of 200 acres, on section 19, township 16 north, range 8 west, which is partly under cultivation and the remainder devoted to pasturage; is neatly fenced, and supplied with a fine set of buildings, including a roomy, well-appointed house, a commodious barn, etc. It is admirably adapted to the requirements of a stock farm, and Mr. Dewees pays much attention to breeding superior road-horses of a fine Hambletonian strain, intending in the future to devote himself almost wholly to that rather than to cultivating the soil.
Our subject is the on of James and Nancy J. (Trimble) Deweese, for whose personal history see sketch of James Deweese on another page of this work. He was born near Waverly, this county, June 5, 1862, but was reared in this township, receiving the foundation of his education in the district school, and afterwards completing it by a course in Illinois College at Jacksonville, and subsequently pursuing his studies at the Jacksonville Business College. He was thus fitted for any calling that he might adopt, and brings a well-trained mind to his work. Ever since leaving college, in 1879, he has been engaged as noted in the commencement of this article, and in 1882 he began farming on his present farm, and since his marriage has lived here. He makes a specialty of breeding standard road-horses, keeps several mares of good blood, and his stallion, Dictator, a bay horse, three years old, which he keeps chiefly for breeding purposes, is of the famous Hambletonian stock, noted as producing some of the fastest trotters in America. His farm is in a fine condition, and is amply supplied with everything necessary for carrying it on to the best advantage, and the buildings and all are in good repair. Mr. Deweese is quite a mechanical genius, and though never learning the carpenter's trade, he has built an addition to his barn; and put another building all by himself.
Nov. 10, 1887, Mr. Deweese was united in marriage to Miss Hattie, daughter of John Virgin, of whom see sketch on another page of this volume. She presides with charming grace over their home, and renders it comfortable for him and attractive to their numerous friends who enjoy its generous hospitality.
In Mr. Deweese, his native county finds one of its progressive, wide-awake sons, who is honest-hearted, whole-souled and public-spirited, and is in every way a very desirable citizen. He has good mental endowments and strong opinions of his own on all subjects that interest him, which he expresses frankly on proper occasions, though not so as to give offense. He is a member of the K. of P. Lodge at Jacksonville, and also of the Anti-Horse Thief Association of this neighborhood.