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George D. Major

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George D. Major
county commission
In office
1866–1869
Preceded bySamual McCullough
Succeeded byJared Benjamin
Indiana State Senator representing White, Benton, Jasper, and Newton counties
Assumed office
1874
President of the Board of Prison Directors, for the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City, Indiana
In office
1883–1891
Personal details
Born(1819-09-18)18 September 1819
Hamilton County, Ohio, US
Died23 February 1902(1902-02-23) (aged 82)
Mulberry, Indiana, US
Resting placeDayton, Indiana, US
Political partyConservative Democrat, and greenback party
Spouse(s)Julia Ann Snoddy; Susan P. Urton
ChildrenWilliam S. Major, Chalmers Major, John F. Major, Mary C. Major, Charles S. Major, Sarah A Major, George E Major, Julia Major
Parents
  • Thomas Major (father)
  • Catherine Green Major (mother)
RelativesDavid Major (great nephew)
Residence(s)Remington, Indiana and Benton, Indiana
Occupationpolitician, businessman, agriculturist

George D. Major (September 18, 1819 – February 23, 1902) was an American politician, agriculturist, and businessman. He owned and operated The Remington Press, a politically neutral newspaper.

Early life

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Major was born in Hamilton County, Ohio and was the second youngest son of Thomas Major, an immigrant from County Down Ireland, and his second wife, Catherine.[1] He moved with his parents to Clinton County, Indiana in 1831. As a child, he was required to work on the farm, and he enjoyed studying and reading.[1]

At age 30, he began teaching school and did so for multiple winters. In 1864, after the death of both of his parents, he moved to a farm about 1 mi (1.6 km) north of Remington, Indiana.[1]

Career

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In 1866, he was elected county commissioner, and served three years.[2]: 455  In 1872, he was a delegate to the 1872 Liberal Republican convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Horace Greely was elected.

Major was elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1874, representing the counties of White, Benton, Jasper, and Newton.[1] He was an elector on the Peter Cooper ticket in 1876. He was re-elected to the state senate in 1878, and was appointed by Governor James D. Williams as a delegate to the National Commercial convention held in Chicago in 1878.

The same year he relocated to a 410-acre (170 ha) farm, known as Treat Durand Farm, about 3 mi (4.8 km) southwest of Remington.[2]: 406  He served as a member of the Board of Prison Directors for the Indiana State Prison from 1883 until about 1891. He was considered one of the best agriculturists in the county.[1]

Major's residence at 400 N Indiana Street in Remington, Indiana

Major was a Conservative Democrat, but also sided with the Greenback Party. He was in favor of the free coinage of silver.[3]: 213  His first wife, Julia Ann Snoddy, died in 1886. He married Susan P. Urton, of Kentland, Indiana, in 1889.[2]: 749  In 1890, he purchased The Remington News and renamed it The Remington Press.[3]: 85  He improved the paper's circulation by almost doubling the number of copies of any other newspaper in the town.

Major helped found “The Remington Fair Associate” and was elected as its first president. During his five years as president, the organization gained a reputation as the best organization of its kind in northern Indiana. The grounds of the organization were located near Major's original farm, about 1 mile north of Remington, at the southernmost part of Carpenters Grove. Located on the grounds were a number of stalls, a woman’s art building, an amphitheater, judges stands, and one of the best half-mile racetracks in Indiana.[3]: 181  Major also owned a furniture business with his son John F. Major, after purchasing it from George F. Bloom in the spring of 1891.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Royalty, James H. "Jasper County Indiana: Remington's Business Men". Genealogytrails.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper, and Newton counties, Indiana. F.A. Battey. 1883. pp. 406, 455, 749.
  3. ^ a b c Royalty, James H. (1894). History of the Town of Remington and Vicinity, Jasper County, Indiana. Wilson, Humphries. pp. 85, 181, 213.