Pvt. George W. Sears

Pvt. George W. Sears

A Co. 123rd NY Inf.

   Served three years.

Post war;
   Moved to Elgin, Ill.
   Opened a shoe store.
   Grocer with Sears and Mink Store.
   Real Estate.
   Joined GAR Veteran's Post #49 Sept. 4, 1893.
   Listed on the 1900 Federal Census as a 63 year old Real Estate Agent from Vermont.  He could read and write English.  He lived in Elgin, Ill.

   Obit; Dec. 20, 1910 issue of The Elgin Daily News.
   George W. Sears, a pioneer business man of Elgin died at 7 o'clock last evening at the family residence, 380 Hickory place, aged 73 years.
   After he had been in the shoe business for about twelve years, Mr. Sears sold his store to George Linkfield.  His next venture was in teh grocery business.  He ran a grocery store for a number of years and later went into partnership with James V. Mink under the firm name of Sears & Mink.  he sold out his grocery business and opened a crockery store which he sold to W.A. Skinner, who still conducts it.
   For a time after deserting the mercantile field in Elgin he bought and sold bankrupt stocks, which finally resulted in his going into the real estate business, his agency being one of the largest in Elgin before he retired in 1894.
   Although urged on many occasions to become a candidate for public office he gave his consent but once, being elected assessor, which office he held for two years in the early nineties.
   George W. Sears was born March 10, 1837, at Vergennes, Vt.  When he was but 10 years old his parents moved to Greenwich Corners, N.Y.  He spent his boyhood at that place.  When the Civil war broke out he enlisted with a New York regiment, serving three years.
   At the close of the war he came west to Elgin.  On Sept. 18, 1867, he was married to Martha E. Wood of Marengo, who survives him.
   Besides his widow he is survived by a son George W. Sears, jr., of Chicago and five daughters.  Mrs. Linnie P. Roberts, Mrs. Burd Heslin of Evanston, Mrs. Cora Vermilya of Sartatoga Springs, N.Y., Mrs. Hattie Covert of Rockford and Mrs. Libbie Covert, who resides at home.  Two sisters, Mrs. George Knott of park street and Mrs. John Davenport of Dundee avenue are other survivors.
   The funeral will be private and will be held at the late residence, 380 Hickory place, at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. W.P. Ferries and Rev. Henry Lenz of Evanston officiating.  Interment at Bluff City cemetery.

   Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.