SOURCE: History of the upper peninsula of Michigan : containing a full account of its early settlement, its growth, development, and resources, an extended description of its iron and copper mines : also, accurate sketches of its counties, cities, towns, and villages ... biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers.
Collection: Michigan County Histories Pages 506

GEORGE R. TUTTLE, manager of Commonwealth Mine store, was born in New York State in 1839; went to Ohio in 1842; was brought up at Cleveland, and graduated at public high school; took eclectic scientific course at Oberlin College; learned the drug business, and began to read medicine. At the breaking-out of the war, had charge of the Transportation Department' in the State Quartermaster General's office; was after transferred to the field under Capt. Hortt, United States Quartermaster; served as Brigade Forage Master under Gen. Robert C. Schenck, in Fremont's Division; was called home by the death of a younger brother; was offered a lucrative business position which he accepted; followed this for several years; was actively engaged in the Lake Superior iron and ore trade as junior partner of H. B. Tuttle & Son. In 1868, went into business for himself, engaging in the same line, but adding to it mining and shipping coal, owned by him in Ohio. During his connection with H. B. Tuttle & Son, he gave great attention to the transportation of ore and its cost, which resulted in the evolution of the plan now almost universally practiced, and known as the steam barge consort system of handling freight. In 1868, in company with B. L. Penington, a prominent ship owner, the new plan was demonstrated by the building of the steam barge H. B. Tuttle, and her consort, the schooner George H. Ely. Although this was not the first pair, it was the first pair planned and constructed for the iron ore trade, and was the direct outcome of the original idea. He continued in business, and amassed a comfortable fortune until 1874, when, because of Jay Cooke's failure in 1873, he was compelled to give up business, since which time he has been engaged more or less with ore and iron; came to Corinth, Wis., in 1881, and engaged in his present business. Took part in the agitation for a new county, and assisted in its organization. Is Clerk of the Circuit Court of Florence County, Wis. Was married in 1862, to Miss Catherine Thayer, of Cleveland, Ohio. GEO. A. WALTER, accountant of Commonwealth Iron Company was born in 1837, at Great Bend, on the Susquehanna River; removed to Hillsdale County, Mich., remaining there until the age of eighteen, then went to Detroit three years; thence to Chicago five years in the book and news business. In 1861, he enlisted in the army for * two years; then in Michigan one year; then in Detroit two years; then to Cleveland twelve years in the wholesale millinery; then to Marquette as accountant for stove firm seven years; then in Cus tom House one year; came to Commonwealth October, 1881, to take charge of the office. Is Treasurer of the town by appointment. Was married to Miss J. King of Springfield, Ill., January 21, 1868.