BERNARD J. GEORGE

Dr. and Mrs. Bernard J. George became residents of Henry County when they settled in Liberty Center, Ohio, in August of 1925 after their marriage on June 18, 1925, in Ottawa, Ohio. Dr. George, a graduate of the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the son of W. M. and Lida (Fisher) George and was born on November 30, 1896, in Belmore, Ohio, Putnam County. He was one of seven children, having three brothers and three sisters. At this writing, only his sister Delia of Ashtabula, Ohio, and brother Noel of Columbus, Ohio, are living. John, Dr. Dale, Nana, Bernice, and Dr. Bernard are deceased. W. M. George was Clerk of Courts and later Probate Judge of Putnam County.

Mrs. George, the former Margaret Miller, is one of two children born to the late Dr. W. C. and Olive (Tobey) Miller of Belmore, Ohio. She was born in Kiefersville, Ohio, on June 30, 1901. Dr. Miller began the practice of medicine in the "horse and buggy days" and served his community faithfully for fifty years. Mrs. George's brother, Dr. Harry J. Miller practices in McComb, Ohio, where he started in the 1920's.

The Georges heard that Liberty Center was a splendid location for a young M.D. and after looking it over, they decided to make it their home. At that time, Dr. Ennis and wife had a home and office on the corner of Damascus and Maple Streets, but they were here very little of the time. Dr. Ennis was semi-retired and they spent the winters in Florida and much of the summers at a lake in Michigan.

A vacant residence and office were available on the corner of Maple and East Streets in Liberty Center and the Georges rented these buildings from the owner, James Weirich. The rent for both buildings was $25.00 per month. Later Dr. George bought the home and the office and they painted the red brick home white with green shutter trim. This was their "Honeymoon Home" and they lived here until 1960. This site had been the office and home of many doctors and their families in the years before 1925.

[Photo A, p. 205] Dr. George

[Photo B, p. 205] George Homestead

[Photo C, p. 205] Dr. B. J. George's office - Sept., 1956.

[Photo D, p. 205] Dr. B. J. George Residence, Liberty Center, Ohio

[Photo F, p. 205] New office of Dr. B. J. George, moved in 1956.

Three children were born to the Georges, two of whom are living. Jeannette Anne was born on July 27, 1926, and died on December 26, 1926. On February 10, 1928, Edward William arrived and on August 30, 1931, Mary Lou was born. All three were delivered by their father at home in Liberty Center, Ohio. Both children attended Liberty Center Public School and Bowling Green State University.

Dr. George was very active in the community, not only as a general practitioner, but as a member of the Board )f Public Affairs. He was the Health Commissioner of Henry County for twenty years and also the president of The Liberty State Savings Bank for twenty-one years. The George family attended the Methodist Church and were active members.

In April of 1956, Dr. George built a new and modern office north of the residence and moved into it in September of that year. Dr. Robert Ullum became his associate and remained so until he was killed, when his own private plane crashed at Findlay, Ohio. Later, Dr. Daniel Rigal bought the residence, when the Georges built a new home near Texas, Ohio, on State Route 24, and he took over the practice and moved into the home. He stayed in Liberty Center a year and then went to Toledo, Ohio. Dr. K. Ellsworth Dye then rented the office and later purchased it from Mrs. George. At present Dr. Dye and his associate serve the Liberty Center area.

The people of this community honored the Georges with a reception in 1963 and gave them a beautiful plaque with this inscription, "Presented to Dr. Bernard J. and Margaret George in recognition of a lifetime of dedicated service by a grateful community, Liberty Center, Ohio, November 10, 1963."

In May of 1965 Dr. George suffered a stroke and became partially disabled until his death on August 24, 1969. At present Mrs. George is living in their country home. She has five grandchildren, Jeanne (George) O'Donnell, Mark George, Curtis Frysinger, Debra (Frysinger) Westhoven, and Pamela Frysinger.

Submitted By Margaret George