Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Geo. P. Emswiler

Geo. P. Emswiler, son of Dr. J. P. and Elizabeth (Mitchel) Emswiler, was born in the town of York, York Co., Pa., Jan. 15, 1830. His grandfather, Philip Emswiler, was a native of Germany and came to America in his youth, locating, it is believed, in Shenandoah County, Va. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Baltimore, Md. In 1845 his parents removed to Johnson County, Ind., and one year later to Germantown, Wayne County. In 1850 they removed to Knightstown, Henry County, where both his parents died. Our subject was the eldest of ten children, and in a great degree lacked the opportunities of even a common-school education; but being ambitious and studious, he applied himself to private study, and acquired all the essential elements of a practical education. When twelve years of age he began clerking in a dry-goods house in Harrisburg, Pa., remaining there until his parents came to Indiana. In December, 1847, he came to Richmond, obtaining employment of Strattan & Wright, afterward Benjamin Strattan, remaining with them for five years. In 1855 he accepted a position in the Citizens Bank, tendered him by Morrisson, Blanchard & Co., proprietors, remaining there until March, 1857, when he formed a partnership with Christian Zimmer, the firm name being Zimmer & Emswiler. Three years later Mr. Zimmer retired from the firm, and Mr. Emswiler became associated with Alvin E. Crocker. After six years of successful business, Mr. Crocker retired from the firm and Mr. Emswiler continued alone about two years. Disposing of his stock he retired from the active duties of the merchant to a less perplexing and more quiet life. He is not a member of any religious denomination, but does not, therefore, have less faith in every good work, moral and intellectual, which tends to the elevation of his race. He has been twice married. His first wife was Martha A., daughter of Andrew and Mary Finley, and a niece of John Finley, Esq., for many years Mayor of the city of Richmond. They had three children — Charles F., Albert F. and Mary Alice, the latter of whom alone survives. Mrs. Emswiler died April 6, 1877. Mr. Emswiler afterward married Attilia R., daughter of George W. Goodrich, of Peru, Ind. She departed this life Feb. 20, 1881, aged thirty-nine years.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2