Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-George Probasco
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
GEORGE PROBASCO, one of the highly
respected citizens of Dickinson County, who
follows farming on section 30, Sherman
Township, was born on the 28th of December,
1836, in Tompkins County, N. Y. His father, Joseph
Probasco, was a native of New Jersey, but
was reared in the Empire State. After attaining
to mature years, he married Eunice Gilbert, who
was born in Connecticut, and they began their
domestic life in Tompkins County, N. Y. In 1844,
when our subject was a lad of eight summers,
they emigrated to Michigan, locating in Oakland
County, where the father died in October, 1887.
George Probasco, whose name heads this record,
was the third in a family of seven children. The
first eight years of his life were spent in his native
State, and the remainder of his youth was passed
in Oakland County, Mich. He had just attained
his majority at the time of his removal to Kankakee
County, Ill., where he rented land and lived
until August, 1862. Responding to the country's
call for troops, he donned the blue and entered
the service as a member of Company I, Seventy sixth
Illinois Infantry, with which he remained
three years, being honorably discharged in August,
1865. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg,
the battles of Jackson (Miss.) and Canton
Cross Roads, and the siege of Ft. Bakeley.
When the war was over, Mr. Probasco returned
to Kankakee County, Ill., where he remained until
the spring of 1871. Prior to his entering the
service, he was married in that county to Miss
Sarah A. Harrington, their nuptials being celebrated
on the 20th of June, 1858. The lady is a
daughter of Wesley and Melinda (Wilson) Harrington,
the former a native of Erie County, Pa.,
and the latter of Sandusky, Ohio. Her paternal
grandfather, Israel Harrington, died in Ottawa
County, Ohio, and the maternal grandfather,
Moses Wilson, who was born in New England,
departed this life in Sandusky County, Ohio. The
parents of Mrs. Probasco were married in that
county, and there resided until 1852, when they
took up their residence in Kankakee County, Ill.
The fall of 1871 witnessed their removal to Dickinson
County, Kan., and saw them located in
Cheever Township. They both died at the residence
of Mr. Thomas in Sherman Township. Their
family numbered one son and six daughters, of
whom Mrs. Probasco was the sixth in order of
birth. She was born in Sandusky County, Ohio,
April 16, 1840, and by her marriage has become
the mother of five children: Perry A., who married
Jennie Anderson; George W., who wedded
Dora Ault; Nellie R., wife of Samuel McElhenny;
Mary A. and Eva M., who complete the family.
In the spring of 1871, Mr. Probasco, accompanied
by his family, came to Dickinson County,
Kan., and took up his residence in Sherman Township,
where he has since made his home. He is
one of the successful and representative farmers
of the community, who by his enterprise and
close application to business has won prosperity
and is now the owner of a fine and extensive
farm of five hundred and sixty acres, upon
which he has made good improvements. His worth
and ability are appreciated by his fellow-townsmen,
who have indicated their confidence in him
in electing him to several positions of honor
and trust. Socially, he is a member of Abilene
Post No. 63, G. A. R., and his wife is a member
of the United Brethren Church, with which she has
been connected since 1859, and takes an active
and commendable interest in its work. This
worthy couple have many friends throughout the
community, who esteem them highly for their
many excellencies of character. Mr. Probasco has
been the architect of his own fortune and has
built wisely and well. In many respects his example
is worthy of emulation.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP