In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1908) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908 : also biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the county (1908), A centennial biographical history of Richland county, Ohio (1901)
GEORGE M. SKILES.
George M. Skiles, of Shelby, was born in Stoughstown, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of February, 1852, and was a child of two years when brought to Richland county by his parents, John G. and Sarah J. (Martin) Skiles. He was the third in order of birth in their family of seven children, the others being Mary Caroline, William Woodburn, John Clark, Jennie, Valletta and Burgetta. His parents were of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father was a farmer by occupation and to farm labor George M. Skiles and his brothers were reared. In the public schools he acquired an education which fitted him for teaching, and with the money he obtained in that way he was enabled to defray the expenses of a collegiate course. In order to pursue a more advanced education he entered Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio, where he was ultimately graduated. The manner in which he obtained his education indicated the elemental strength of his character and gave promise of a successful future, for through the winter months he continued teaching and during the remainder of the year was a student in college. In 1876 both he and his brother William were graduated in Berea University, and almost immediately afterward they began the study of law in the office of Matson & Dirlam, of Mansfield. In the fall of 1878 they were admitted to the bar, and in the same year opened a law office in Shelby, when the city was an unpretentious town, its population not exceeding fifteen hundred. Under the firm name of Skiles & Skiles the brothers entered upon what lias been a very successful professional career. As the years passed and their reputation grew they became known as leading lawyers of Ohio. Besides conducting a general practice they have made a specialty of railroad litigation, and by means of their ability many a man who has been injured through the railroad has been compensated. Both brother. possess marked ability, arising from thorough preparation and close and discriminating study in subsequent years. They prepare their cases with great care and precision and are thus well equipped for forensic combat. They have ever been closely associated in their professional labors and are self-made men whose advancement is due in no measure to the aid or influence of wealth or friends, but has resulted from personal worth and their skill in handling intricate problems of jurisprudence.
The brothers have also been closely associated in the advancement of many business concerns, which have contributed not only to their prosperity but also to the welfare of the city along many lines. They are stockholders in the Citizens' Bank, the Shelby Electric Company, the Shelby Water Company, the Bali-Bearing Umbrella Company, the Shelby Stove & Foundry Company, the Shelby Steel Tube Company and other organizations whose success are due in no small degree to their wise counsel.
In 1877 George M. Skiles was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Clark, and their union has been blessed by the following children: Ri >so >e. Blanche G., Grace A. and Glen G. Mrs. Skiles is a daughter of Samuel A. Clark and a granddaughter of Calvin Clark, a pioneer of Richland county. In politics Mr. Skiles is a stanch Republican and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and prominent in its circles, having for seven years been a member of the grand tribunal of the order in the state of Ohio.
As printed in A centennial biographical history of Richland county, Ohio (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
GEORGE M. SKILES.
George M. Skiles, senior member of. the law firm of Skiles, Green & Skiles, practicing at Shelby and in the courts of this district, has been a member of the bar since 1878 and has gained distinction as a representative of the profession. He is also connected with various corporate interests and the extent and importance of his professional and business connections make him one of the most prominent and representative citizens of Richland county. He was born at Stowstown, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1852, a son of John G. and Sarah J. (Martin) Skiles, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They lived in Cumberland county, that state, and in 1855 came to Richland county, Ohio, where they spent their remaining days, the father following the occupation of farming here. The mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six years, but the father passed away in 1891. Their children were Mary, the wife of A. L. Cramer, of Shelby; the Hon. W. W. Skiles, who was congressman of this district and is now deceased; George M.; John C., who Avas county commissioner at the time of his death; Valley, the wife of H. E. Bell, an attorney at Mansfield; Jennie, the wife of George Smith, of Marion county; and Getta, the wife of Bart Crum, of Franklin township, this county.
George M. Skiles at the age of three years was brought by his parents to Shelby, where he has since made his home. He attended the Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1876 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In preparation for the practice of law he studied with the firm of Matson, Darlam & Layman, of Mansfield, and was admitted to the bar in 1877. He began practice in Shelby, where he has remained continuously in the profession for thirty years. He is now largely confining his practice to railroad and personal injury cases, although he yet engaged to some extent in general practice. His comprehensive understanding of the law, his keen intellectual power and his logical deductions make him a formidable adversary and one whose strength is indicated in the many verdict Avhich he has won favorable to his clients.
Aside from his profession Mr. Skiles is recognized as a man of keen business discernment and executive ability. He is connected with various corporate interests in positions of administrative direction, being now vice
As printed in History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908 : also biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the county (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.