BIOGRAPHY: Bemis, George W.
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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     Honorable GEORGE W. BEMIS of Independence, Iowa, was born at 
Spencer, Worcester County, Massachusetts, on the 13th day of October, 
1826.  He is a direct descendant of Joseph Bemis, who came from England 
in 1640, and settled at Watertown, Massachusetts, and from whom has 
sprung all who bear the name in that part of New England.  Edmond 
Bemis, his great grandfather was a native of Spencer, Massachusetts, 
where he spent most of his life, and died I December 1810, at the 
advanced age of ninety.  In 1745, he served as a lieutenant at the 
capture of Louisburg and as a captain in the Crown Point expedition in 
1755-6.
     In 1837, when eleven years of age, he emigrated with his father, 
Eleazer Bemis, to Genesee County, New York, where his father died 
August 11, 1873 in the eightieth year of his age.  Here he resided, 
being an only son, until after reaching his majority, working on the 
farm summers, and attending school during the winter months, finishing 
his education at Cary Collegiate Seminary, Oakfield, Orange County, New 
York.  Shortly after becoming of age he spent two winters teaching 
school in Wisconsin, and in 1854 removed to Iowa, and settled at 
Independence, where he still resides.  He engaged in surveying as 
county surveyor and otherwise, for several years and was also actively 
employed in carrying on as extensive real estate and banking business 
in connection with Dr. Edward Brewer and Judge O. H. P. Roszell. He was 
elected a Member of Eighth General Assembly in 1859, and served in the 
Lower House during the regular session  of 1860, and the extra war 
session of June, 1861, as Chairman of the Committee on State 
University, and a member of the Appropriation Committee.  On his return 
home he received the appointment of postal clerk on the Dubuque and 
Sioux City Railroad, in which capacity he faithfully served the 
government for about seven years. Upon the death of Albert Clark, one 
of the Commissioners of the Insane Asylum at Independence, he was 
appointed by Governor Samuel Merrill, to fill the vacancy, and served 
as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board until his resignation in 
December, 1871. He was re-appointed, by Governor C. C. Carpenter, in 
April, 1872, and has since served in the same capacity.  Being the only 
resident commissioner, a disproportionately large amount of work and 
responsibility have devolved upon him, which he has performed to the 
entire satisfaction of his associates and the criticizing public.  As 
treasurer he has received and disbursed $635,000 during the last five 
years.
     In the Fall of 1871, he was elected from Buchanan County to the 
State Senate, and has since occupied an influential position in that 
body, as a member of several important committees and chairman of that 
on public buildings.  In his capacity as a Member of the State Senate, 
and one of the Board of Commissioners of the Northern Iowa Insane 
Asylum, he has rendered the state and his constituency faithful and 
valuable service, performing the responsible duties devolving upon him 
in such a manner as to reflect great credit upon the judgment of his 
friends, and honor upon himself.
     Politically Mr. Bemis has always acted with the Republican party, 
sympathizing with and encouraging the anti-slavery movement when it was 
unpopular, he has always stood firmly and unflinchingly in the defense 
of right and justice, no matter what it might cost him.  Although too 
truthful, frank and firm in his convictions, too out-spoken and 
unpolitic in the expression of his opinions to secure that kind of 
popularity sought by modern politicians, yet, he has by his honest, 
fair and uncorruptible conduct in public life, won hosts of friends 
whom the most fastidious would be proud to acknowledge.
     He was married, April 11, 1855, to Miss Nareissa T. Roszell, an 
accomplished lady and sister of Honorable Oliver H. P. Roszell, now a 
resident of Independence.  They have a family of three children, two 
sons and one daughter.