GUSTAVUS B. GEORGE was born on a farm in Wilson county, Tennessee, May 4, 1836, when nineteen years of age he went to Clinton county, Illinois, and worked on a farm eleven years, then worked at Alton, Illinois, as blacksmith, two years, when he enlisted in Company G, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, and served two years and six months, he then went to Clinton county, Illinois, and married Miss Mary Gaines, March 7, 1865. She was born in Carlyle county, Illinois, November 30, 1851; she was a daughter of Anthony Gaines, born in Tennessee and Sarah J. Cole, born in South Carolina; the fruits of this marriage is six children,, viz.: Mary J. George, Mattie, William A., Clara, Benjamin and Nettie George. After his marriage, he farmed in Clinton County, Illinois, five or six years, when he came to Springfield, Illinois, and has worked in this city for different parties ever since; is at present working in Elder's tin and stove store. He is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 3, at Springfield, Illinois, and cast his first vote for U.S. Grant for President.