GEORGE M. ELSEY.

George M. Elsey, the first merchant to open a general store within the present limits of Lewis, was a native of Ohio, but his father came West at an early day and was one of the pioneers of Mahaska county, where he died in 1882. In 1854 George M. came to Lewis, bringing with him a general stock of goods from Oskaloosa, and in company with George Baldwin opened his store at the new county seat. The firm of Elsey & Baldwin continued until the summer of 1855, when Mr. Elsey bought the interest of his partner and the same year sold the business to Joseph Wannock. The winter following Mr. Elsey taught the first school in Lewis. Among his pupils were the sons of Jehu Woodward, Chester and Wooster; Neil McClintock and his two brothers, Frank and Augustus. Mr. Elsey was married in 1857 to a daughter of Horace Littlefield, and began housekeeping in the residence of Daniel Stanley, where the couple [couple] remained until July, 1858, when they removed to a home of their own on section 14, adjoining Lewis. There the husband had bought eighty acres, and later purchased 100 acres in sections 22 and 16. He reared a large family of children, several of whom married and remained in the township; was trustee, clerk and assessor of the township and acquired prominence and general esteem.


From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 94.