Bio of POOLER, George W. (b.1851), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 715-716
GEORGE W. POOLER
For forty years George W. Pooler, general agent for the American Express
Com­pany, has been engaged in the express business throughout the United States.
He was born in Richville, St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 2d of August,
1851, a son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Ranger) Pooler. His maternal Grandmother
Sprague was of the same family as Governor Sprague of Rhode Island.
In the acquirement of his education George W. Pooler attended the public schools
of his birthplace and subsequently enrolled in the Normal School at Gouverneur,
New York. At the age of thirteen years he accepted a position as clerk in a
general mer­cantile store and at the age of nineteen years established a
business on his own account in Richville. He was active in the conduct of that
store for seven years and then removed to New York city, where for five years he
was engaged in importing Swiss watches. Subsequently he returned to Richville
and made his initial step in the express business, also conducting a mercantile
establishment until his store burned down. In 1879 he went to Iowa and from
there to Alexandria, South Dakota, whore he lived for a few months. In 1880 he
located in Sheldon, Iowa, and became joint ticket agent for the Chicago,
Milwaukee and St. Paul and old Omaha Railroad. He was active in that capacity in
Sheldon for one and one-half years and subsequently accepted a position as
freight agent for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Ohio Railroad. In 1883 he
became joint agent for the United States and American Express companies, and
also acted as freight agent for the Omaha Railroad. For three years he was agent
for the Adams Express Company at Sioux City and then for nine years he went on
the road as traveling auditor for that company. In 1901 he came to Minneapolis,
in the employ of the United States Express Company, and in July, 1918, he was
made general agent for the consolidated companies, operated under the name of
the American Railway Express Company. George W. Pooler has been active in
express circles for over forty years and there is no phase of the business with
which he is not familiar. In his business life his course has been marked by
continuous advancement and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook
and wider opportunities. Moreover, he has never regarded any position as final,
but rather as the starting point for the accomplishment of still larger
interests.
On the 23d of December, 1873, at Antwerp, New York, occurred the marriage of
George W. Pooler to Miss Pauline Van Ness of Antwerp, Jefferson county, New
York, who has passed away. To their union two children were born: Guy Van Ness
and Mrs. Edward Schempf.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Pooler has given his endorsement to the
republican party and the principles for which it stands. He has never sought nor
desired public preferment, but he is ever cognizant of the duties and
responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship and he is never too
busy to give his aid in the furtherance of any movement for the upbuilding of
the city, county and state. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church
and for seven years he was a vestryman in the Gethsemane Episcopal church here.
Fraternally Mr. Pooler is identified with the Masons, holding membership in
Minneapolis Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M.; St. John's Chapter; Zion Commandery and
Zuhrah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise affiliated with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and as a public-spirited citizen and
representative business man he is connected with the Rotary Club.------