Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Rich, George Henry 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:53 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Rich, George Henry, one of the men who has proven that the advantages do not 
always lie with the highly educated, but can be acquired by anyone who is 
willing to work and save, now owns a fine farm in Saratoga Township and holds 
the confidence and respect of his neighbors. He was born in Washington County, 
N. Y., May 21, 1862, a son of Charles H. and Sarah (McClelland) Rich. These 
parents, who were natives of Washington County, N. Y., came west as far as La 
Salle County, Ill., in 1878. The father became a farmer in the vicinity of 
Sheridan, and there died in 1884, the mother surviving him until 1910. After 
the death of her first husband, Mrs. Rich married Gersham Hunt. By her first 
marriage she had two children: Arthur C., who died in 1883; and George Henry. 
There were no children of her second marriage.

When not much more than a child, George Henry Rich began earning his own 
living, and has never ceased to do so. His educational training was limited to 
a couple of months’ schooling during the winter months for a few years, so 
what he knows he has taught himself. After coming to Illinois he remained with 
his mother, assisting her until his marriage, when he rented a farm in Nettle 
Creek Township, this county. Later he moved to Saratoga Township, and in 1892 
bought his present farm of eighty-three acres on which he carries on grain 
farming and stock raising. This farm is very valuable on account of the many 
improvements he has made upon it.

On December 25, 1883, Mr. Rich was married (first) to Carrie Johnson, born in 
Norway, a daughter of John K. and Malinda Johnson. By this marriage Mr. Rich 
had the following children: May, who is Mrs. Thomas Griffith, of Chicago; and 
Myrtle, who is at home. Mrs. Rich died in February, 1908. On January 16, 1911, 
Mr. Rich was married (second) to Mrs. Martha (McKelvey) Kimbell, born May 26, 
1862, widow of Jerome Kimbell. By her first marriage Mrs. Rich had five 
children: Emma and Ray, who are of Chicago; Ethel and Grace, who are of Clay 
County, Ill.; and William, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Rich. Mr. Rich is a 
Republican and served for twelve years very acceptably as a School Director 
and for six years was Highway Commissioner. Both as a public official and 
private citizen, Mr. Rich has met his responsibilities honestly and capably, 
and is one of the leading men in his township.

page 892

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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