This name represents one of the most popular members of the farming community of East Galena Township. He is finely situated on section 26, where he has over 200 acres of finely cultivated land pleasantly located on the Elizabeth road, and watered by Spring Branch, a stream which so far has never been known to fail. This property was the inheritance of his wife from her father. Since coming under the supervision of Mr. Rouse he has carried on the improvements and make it the source of a generous income.

Mr. Rouse has been a resident of this county since February. 1844, when be arrived here with his father, George Rouse, Sr., who was a New Englander by birth and parentage, and of German descent. The latter when a young man went over into Canada where he met his fate in the person of Miss Anna Van Decar, who was also American born and had been taken to the Dominion by her parents when quite young. The wedding took place near St. Catherines, and after their marriage the parents of our subject began life on a farm in the Province of Ontario. They remained there until after the birth of their eleven children, six sons and five daughters; of whom George, Jr., was one of the younger. The family upon coming to the States first settled near La Porte, Ind., where they remained one year. Next they concluded to cross the Mississippi, and located in Louisa County, Iowa; thence in 1844 they came to this county, and the father located a claim on Small-Pox River, before the land had come into market. After making some improvements the3r disposed of it, and changed their residence to Guilford Township, purchasing land there also; and there the father continued to reside until his death, in 1865, when he was eighty-three years old. His career had been marked by industry and sobriety and he enjoyed in a high degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. The wife and mother had died in the Province of Ontario, Canada, when in the prime of life. George Rouse, our subject, was born in Upper Canada, London District, Sept. 18. 1821, and lived their until attaining his majority, acquiring his education in the district schools.

In 1849, during the gold excitement in California, he in company with his two brothers. William and James, Mr. Evans and others started with ox-teams overland for California. They started in February, 1849, and six months later arrived in Sacramento; engaged in mining on American Fork, and in the fall worked on Yuba River, succeeded quite well in finding gold, and after a stay of two years returned home by the way of the Isthmus and New Orleans. At New Orleans he exchanged his golddust at the United States mint for coin, receiving about $1,500 of the latter. This experience was not only fruitful of profit, but also in interest. During that trip he saw some of the finest scenery on this continent.

The first important event in his career was his marriage which took place in Galena Township, Sept. 18, 1851; the bride being Miss Harriet Kirkby. This lady was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 26, 1819, and is the daughter of William and Sarah Kirkby, also natives of Yorkshire, and of pure English stock. Mr. Kirkby during early manhood learned the miller's trade and emigrated to the United States about 1830, settling near Baltimore, Md. Thence a few years later the family came to Northern Illinois, and located on a large tract of land in East Galena Township, building up a good homestead, which remained the home of the parents until their decease. Mr. Kirkby departed this life about 1855; his estimable widow survived him until 1869, being then about seventy-nine years old. Both were members in good standing of the Methodist Church.

Mrs. Rouse received a common-school education and remained with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there were born six children, two of whom died in infancy. The mother died at her home in East Galena Township, Aug. 9, 1886, after a long illness. She was a lady possessing many excellent qualities of character, her chief aim being to make home the most pleasant spot upon earth for her husband and children. Her name is held in tender remembrance by them and all who knew her. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The eldest daughter, Sarah, is the wife of William Sanders, a blacksmith of Dubuque; William married Miss Susie Gardner of this county, and they live on a farm not far from Mr. Rouse's homestead; Eliza is the wife of William Sweeney, who is carding on farming in Hardin County, Iowa; Horace married Miss Josephine Vincent of this county, and operates the homestead with his father. Father and sons are all earnest supporters of the Republican party.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)