George James Washburn was born in Erie County, Ohio, March 14, 1843, and died at his home in Flat River (Federal Row) April 22, 1918, age 75 years, one month and eight days. Mr. Washburn had been extremely feeble for some time, the immediate cause of his death being general debility. The funeral services were held at the family residence Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock by Rev. R. S. Boyd, pastor of the Farmington Presbyterian Church. Interment was made in the Parkview Cemetery.
When six years of age Mr. Washburn moved to Kent County, Michigan, 14 miles from Grand Rapids, with his family where they permanently settled. At the age of 19 he enlisted in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry and remained in the service until the end of the Civil War. After being mustered out of the army, he went west and was engaged in building and repairing telegraph lines from Omaha, Neb., west, for a number of years. His first location in the western states was at Denver, Colo. He was afterward engaged in the mining business, being at various times in Lake, Summit and Teller Counties. In 1914 he came to Flat River where he has made his home until death. He was married September 24th, 1879 to Hanah J. Payne and to this union one son was born, Howard G. who is General Manager of the Federal Lead Co. at Flat River.