GEORGE W. FREY, the subject of this sketch, is a retired merchant of the village of Loran, who is now enjoying the freedom and independence of a farmer. His parents were George and Barbara (Allaman) Frey, worthy pioneers who came from Juniata County, Pa., to Illinois in May, 1850, and settled in Kent Township, Stephenson County. The father died in the spring of 1876, and the mother still survives. Their family consisted of twelve children, four boys and eight girls.

George W. Frey, our subject, was the eleventh child, and was born in Kent Township on the 6th of October, 1853. He availed himself of what privileges the common schools then afforded of obtaining an education, and by assiduous application, generally stood at the head of his classes. In the spring of 1876 he went to Linn County, Iowa, and remained there until the spring of 1880, when he returned to Stephenson County and engaged in mercantile pursuits in Loran. He continued merchandising in a general way until the fall of 1885, when he sold his stock of goods to other persons and turned his attention to farming. He is the owner of 269 acres of land, the largest part of which is highly cultivated.

Mr. Frey was married to Arabella Buckley, daughter of Samuel and Lydia Buckley, on the 26th of November, 1875, at Eleroy, Erin Township, Ill. The parents of Mrs. Frey came from Pennsylvania and settled in Jefferson Township, Stephenson County. Her father was a soldier in the Union Army, and died in the hospital at Albany, Tenn., of sickness, thus testifying his devotion to the Union in as ample a measure as if he had gone to his death in the incarnation of battle. They had four children who lived to grow up. Mrs. Frey, who was the third in order of birth, was born in Jo Daviess County on the 28th of September, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Frey have three children, Myrtle, Lloyd and Earl. Mr. Frey has been Township Assessor and School Treasurer. During the time the affairs of the Government were administered by the Republican party he served between four and five years as Postmaster at Loran, and during his incumbency the management of the office was so efficient as to be eminently satisfactory to all its patrons.

Contributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 677