George Washington Pettit
It is a great responsibility for a father to name a son for the father of his country, but in this case, Mr. Pettit's father assumed it. If a boy or man having this prenomen, does not live up to the model set by his immortal name, then it is always cast up to him, but in this case, our subject has always done the best he could under all circumstances, and has never been reminded that he did not follow the model of his patronymic.
Our subject was born near Dukinsville, Adams County, April 5, 1856. His father was Isaac Pettit and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Chambers. His father was a native of Greenup County, Kentucky, and his mother of Washington County, Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer and a blacksmith, and young George partially learned the latter trade while a boy at home with his father. All the education he received from others was in a log school house in Oliver Township, known as the "Gulf District," and he had but three months school in any one year, but George was ambitious and determined to seek learning and did so. He acquired a sufficient knowledge of the comon branches and began his career as a county school teacher, April 30, 1866, at Mt. Tabor, in Jefferson Township. The same year he taught at Bentonville, and continued there until 1870. In 1871, he began teaching at Rome, and taught there until 1874.
On May 20, 1874, he was married to Laura A. Adamson, daughter of John Adamson, of Bentonville. In 1874 and 1875, he taught in Concord, Kentucky. In 1875 and 1876, he taught again at Rome. In 1876 and 1877, he and his wife both taught at Buena Vista, in Scioto County, and in 1877 and 1878, he taught again at Rome.
In April, 1878, he removed to Chenoa, Illinois, and was there five months, when he returned to Adams County, and that same winter he taught at Bentonville. He began the study of law under the Hon. F. D. Bayless, of West Union, and continued it while he was teaching. He was admitted to the bar in West Union in 1878, and began practicing in April, 1879, at West Union. In October, 1880, he was elected clerk of the courts of Adams County by a majority of 215 over L. J. Fenton, afterward congressman. He was re-elected in 1883 over R. S. Kirkpatrick by 420 majority and had 124 more votes than the Democratic state ticket.
He has three children—Horace G., who married Vida Sutterfield, daughter of D. R. Sutterfield, Ernest G., aged eighteen, and Helen, aged 11. He is a member of the board of elections of Adams County, having been appointed August 1, 1899. In his political views, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a strong advocate of the cause of temperance. He is known everywhere as a Christian gentleman. He is honest and honorable in all his relations of life. As a lawyer, he is active, energetic and industrious. He always prepares his cases well, tries them thoroughly and excels as a trial lawyer. At the great day, when all records are read and examined, George Washington will have no occasion to blush for this namesake.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900