BIO: George Green FINK, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ GEORGE GREEN FINK. Centre county has many well-to-do and successful farmers, men who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods through individual effort, and among this class the name of the subject of this notice is entitled to a place. He is residing on the Elevens run road, in Huston township, where he is industriously engaged in the prosecution of his noble calling, and is meeting with far more than ordinary success. Mr. Fink was born May 9, 1863, in Ferguson township, Clearfield Co., Penn. His father, George W. Fink, was born in Centre county, May 16, 1837, a son of Jacob and Hannah Fink, who were natives of Indiana county, Penn., and at an early day came to Centre county, locating near the Martha Furnace, but later went to Clearfield county, where the grandfather died at the age of ninety-four years. In early life he was a blower in a furnace, but later followed the carpenter's trade. In 1855, in Ferguson township, Clearfield county, George W. Fink married Mary I. Miles, who was born in that county September 18, 1834, a daughter of John and Betsy (Williams) Miles, who were natives of Centre county, but spent their last days upon a farm in Clearfield county. Mr. and Mrs. Fink have spent their entire married life in the latter county, where he was for many years a lumberman; he died February 28, 1897; he was a most exemplary man, having never uttered an oath or used tobacco or liquor in any form, and he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His faithful wife, who is still enjoying excellent health, is a consistent member of the Methodist Church. Our subject is one of a family of ten children, namely: Elizabeth, who was burned to death at the age of four years; Lela A., who died March 15, 1874, at the age of fifteen years; Elmer E., a merchant of Clearfield, Penn.; George G.; Ulysses S., who died at the age of two years; William McC., a school teacher of New Millport, Penn.; Emma, who married George W. Bratton, telegraph operator at Woodland, Penn., and died July 16, 1890, at the age of twenty-two years; Emeline, twin sister of Emma, who died in infancy; Minerva V., wife of Harvey Strong, a butcher of Ansonville, Clearfield county; and Ella L., at home. At the age of fourteen years, George G. Fink left home, and began working for an uncle, but gave his salary to his parents until he became of age. He was permitted to attend the public schools during the winter season, and for one term was a student in the Normal School at New Washington, Clearfield county. On leaving his uncle, at the age of twenty-three, he entered a mercantile store at New Millport, where he was employed as clerk for a few months, and subsequently worked in the lumber woods and at teaming. In the fall of 1889 he located on the farm of J. Q. Miles, which he operated on shares for four years, working at farm labor during the summer months, while in the winter he cut logs upon land which he had purchased in the spring of 1889. So successful was he, that March 24, 1890, he was able to purchase his present farm, a valuable tract of 196 acres, and he now, along with his wife and her sister, also owns an adjoining place of 228 acres. He has made a specialty of stock raising, in which he has been remarkably successful, having upon his place a high grade of Jersey cattle and Yorkshire and Poland-China hogs. On November 13, 1887, Mr. Fink was married to Miss Selina Williams, and they have an interesting family of five children: Telford N., born February 21, 1889; Clair V., born October 20, 1890; Iva P., born July 19, 1892; and Joseph L. and George L. (twins), born April 26, 1895. Mrs. Fink was born in Huston township, Centre county, January 14, 1862, and is a daughter of Joseph F. and Hannah (Records) Williams, who spent their entire lives in Centre county. The father was an extensive land owner, having about one thousand acres in the county, and besides farming also engaged in the mercantile and lumber business. He was a prominent and influential citizen, and was called upon to serve in several official positions, including that of justice of the peace. His political support was given the Republican party, and in religious faith he and his wife were active members of the Baptist Church. He was born June 19, 1813, and died February 18, 1885, and she passed away July 20, 1869, at the age of fifty years. Eight children were born to them: Thaddeus S., who was a graduate of a business college at Philadelphia, and died in Centre county soon after his return from the Civil war; Catherine, wife of David Henderson, a farmer of Huston township; Susan A., wife of W. A. Hartsock, a farmer of Centre county; Abigail, who died at the age of two years; Jasper A., a farmer of Blair county, Penn.; Newton, a school teacher by profession, who died at the age of thirty-two; and Selina, the wife of our COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 437 subject. Her paternal grandparents, Jessie and Susanna (Thalenburg) Williams, were natives of Scotland, but at an early day became prominent citizens of Centre county, where the grandfather carried on agricultural pursuits and was an extensive land owner. Politically, Mr. Fink is a pronounced Republican; socially he is a member of the Grange, No. 395, of Unionville, and in religious belief he and his estimable wife are members of the Bald Eagle Baptist Church. They hold an enviable position in social circles, and are widely and favorably known throughout the county. In 1891, he was elected school director, which office he acceptably filled for three years, and in the spring of 1894 he was elected township supervisor. On the expiration of his term he resigned, but was again elected in February, 1896, to both positions. On November 3, 1896, he was elected county auditor of Centre county. His prominent characteristics have been manifested in the success that he has achieved in his business career - determination, self-reliance and undaunted perseverance - and his name deserves an honored place among the representative and progressive citizens of Centre county.