George W. Rundlett, now retired from active business, is passing a quiet and pleasant life in Freeport. He was long one of the hardest workers of the city, an earnest and pushing worker, and his friends congratulate him upon his privilege of rest and ease. He belongs to a family that is descended from one of two brothers who crossed the ocean at an early day, coming from England to make their home in New Hampshire. The grandfather of George W., died while still a young man at the family homestead in Belknap county, New Hampshire. He was the proprietor of an extensive tract of land as well as a flour mill, which passed under the control of his son-in-law, Elias Russell, at his death. His widow remarried to a Mr. Simons, and died in Northfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Rundlett were born two children, William and Comfort (Mrs. Elias Russell).

William Rundlett, the father of George W. was born August 24th, 1808, was a man of much more than ordinary ability, and was ever recognized as a strong and capable character. He was born on the New Hampshire homestead, and early learned the woolen business at Simonton, New Hampshire, where he set up for himself in a small way. He was burned out, and suffered a total loss, but this did not dishearten him. He sought employment, saved his earnings, and presently was able to start again at Turner, Maine, and this time a well deserved success crowned his efforts. After a number of years he decided to change his location, and seek the opportunities of the new west. He was impatient to get away in the early fall, but still he was anxious to remain and vote for Pierce for president. In 1852 he came west alone, and travelled over northern Illinois quite thoroughly, and then went back to Maine, still uncertain of his location. Immediately after the election in 1852 he put his family into a three-horse wagon, and started for the west. The journey was a long and tiresome one, some of the family walking a good part of the distance from choice. But they pushed on, and reached Chicago the following January. The Garden City then presented little promise of its future growth, and they were glad to get through it, and keep their westward way. They reached Stephenson county without stopping, and here they rested from their long journey. The family remained at Oneco, while the elder Rundlett and his son George made a trip into Iowa as far as Volga City, then a hamlet of two houses and a saw mill. They did not like the country and returned to Oneco. Hearing of a choice farm in Florence township, they visited it, and liking it, they purchased and took immediate possession of it. It consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of very desirable land. It is remarked as a curious coincidence that they entered upon it the same day that Pierce entered the White House. There was pitched the family fortunes, and here the senior Rundlett remained until his removal to Freeport in 1869. He was a resident of this city until he died April 8th, 1878, leaving behind pleasant memories and tender recollections. Although an ardent democrat he would accept no nomination to any official position. His wife was Elizabeth B. Lane, a daughter of Captain John Lane of the state militia, and a hero of the war of 1812. She was born on June 6th, 1806, at Simonton, New Hampshire, and died November 6yh, 1896, in the home of her daughter, Mrs. George E. Bushnell, at Ripon, Wisconsin, when past ninety. Their children are Sarah E., born October 16th, 1833 (Mrs. George Bushnell of Ripon, Wisconsin), Charles W., born September 27th, 1835, of Sharon, Wisconsin; and Jennie, born October 18th, 1838, is Mrs. John W. Royer of Wellsville, Missouri. George W. is the oldest member of this interesting family group.

George W. Rundlett was born November 17th, 1831, at Simonton, New Hampshire, and very fairly educated in the public schools. He was anxious to learn his father's trade, and for that purpose quit school earlier than perhaps he otherwise would have done. He entered the mill at the age of twelve and went through each department in turn, until the entire business was plain to him. At eighteen he was first hand of his father's mill, and had everything in charge except the finishing department which his father still kept in his own hands. About 1850 he went to East Bethel, Vermont, to act as overseer of the weave room in Mr. Faulkner's mill. He remained with him until his father wrote for him to make the journey west with the family. He was glad to do this, and when the family located on the prairie farm he went with him, and spent a year with the family. Then he secured a position in the machine shop of P. Manny at Waddams Grove. They were burned out and came to Freeport to re-establish. While they were temporarily out of work Mr. Rundlett worked for F. B. Williams, well known in the early days of this city. When the Manny factor was re-opened he returned to it and wasin the employ of the company until 1860. That year he bought an 80-acre farm in Florence township, and for the next three years was engaged in its cultivation. He gavie it up at the ned of three years, and concluded that the delights of the city overbalanced its troubles, and he returned to Freeport to again enter the services of P. Manny. He was with them until the dissolution of the firm, and continued with Mr. Pattison the successor of the firm as long as he was in business.

For some years he has mainly lived a retired life excepting about two years, when he was draughtsman in the machine shops at Whitewater, Wisconsin, and later on as superintendent of the establishment. Mr. Rundlett was married March 7th, 1859, to Miss Lucy Acelia Van Brocklin, a daughter of Conrad and Harriet (Serle) Van Brocklin. She was born in Stephenson county, September 11, 1840, and is the mother of four children. Cora E., born July 7th, 1860, was Mrs. Lincoln E. Park of Waterloo, Iowa, where she died February 8th, 1892. Howard W., born January 18th, 1862, was married to Anna Wolfe and lives in Chicago. Luella C., born October 11th, 1866, is now the wife of Victor Powell of this city. Ethel M., born December 31st, 1872, is Mrs. Jacob H. Boos, of Freeport. Mr. Rundlett was a democrat until he embraced the principles of the prohibition party several years ago. Since then he has largely voted that ticket. He is not associated with any church, but is a man of unblemished reputation in the community.

Contributed by Karen Hammer