Biography - George Slater
George W. SLATER, lawyer and farmer, Harvel, Ill., born in Lawrence County, Ill., July 14, 1832, to William and Jane (WILSON) SLATER, he being a native of England, and she of Kentucky. The early education of George W. SLATER was very limited, owing to the fact that no schools were near his native place. His time was fully employed upon his father's farm. In 1843, he removed with his parents to Montgomery County; here his parents settled upon an unbroken timber farm near Audubon. At the age of fourteen, his father died, and he lived with his older brother for about one year, and then engaged as a farm hand, and entered upon his career in life, which has been more or less varied. He continued in the occupation of a farmer until 1863, when he went to Litchfield and ran two wood saws by horse power, in the employ of a railroad company, with whom he remained over four years, at the end of which time he again took upon himself the duties of a farm life, at which he remained one year, and then went to milling, and continued the same for over four years. While in Litchfield Mr. SLATER was elected to fill the office of Street Commissioner, and was appointed Deputy Sheriff. He has, since his residence at Harvel, served the people in the different offices of Constable and Justice of the Peace, and is now a member of the Town Board. He has obtained more than ordinary education by his observation and study. He has been practicing law in the Justice's Court about seven years in connection with his other duties. He was married, August 19, 1851, to Sarah MATTHEWS, who was born in Christian County March 16, 1832. She is the mother of eleven children, five of whom are now living, viz., Elie, Lewis L., Serene A., James E. and Sarah E. Mr. SLATER is an active member of the A., F. & A. M.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 252-253.
