GEORGE H. ROOD, County Commissioner of This District and Chairman of the Board AN ARTICLE EXTRACTED FROM THE PEABODY NEWS 1901 Contributed by Charmaine Keith (charmain@southwind.net) 26 August 1998 --------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The career of George H. Rood ought to stimulate and encourage any boys ambitions to succeed in life's struggle. Mr. Rood was born on a farm in Michigan in 1840. When he was 14 years of age his father died, and he soon assumed the responsibilities that do not generally fall upon a boy's shoulders until he has passed his majority. In 1856 he entered an academy at Pontiac, where he was liberally educated. The management of his mother's affairs devolved on him, and he early learned the science of buying and selling. In 1865 he decided it was not well to live alone and took Miss Helen Thomas into a life partnership. In 1870, Mr. Rood invested his capital in a LaPeer woolen mill, which was destroyed by fire a few years later, leaving him almost penniless. In 1880, Mr. Rood brought his family to Marion county to make their home. He rented a farm east of this city, and by industry, economy, and good management he was enabled in a few years to buy a farm in East Branch township, where he still lives. Mr. Rood is now one of the solid farmers and stockmen of the county. He owns about 610 acres of good land, and feeds several hundred head of cattle each year. He runs the feed grinders and other machinery about the barnyard with two gasoline engines. His family consists of himself and wife and their son, Ashley, and family. Mr. Rood is a republican politically and a Methodist in religion. His party has a different times conferred honors upon him. In 1890 he was elected a member of the legislature by the decision of the state board on a tie vote, but the opposition party permitted him to sit only a few days. He is now chairman of the board of county commissioners. In his official life the same honesty of purpose, thoroughness and care govern his actions that characterize his private dealings. His constituents appreciate his ability and impartiality, and will persuade him to consent to serve them again. His present term expires next January. Mr. Rood's fine farm and ranch testify what brain and brawn will do in Marion county. It would be difficult to find any on in the older states more pleasantly and conveniently situated. Come West, young man, and reap a rich harvest. --------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. ---------------------------------------------------------------------