George M. McCullough
George M. McCullough, proprietor of McCullough Lake and Park, finest summer resort in the vicinity of Lima, belongs to one of the old families of the county. He was born at Lima, October 9, 1856, and is a son of Hon. M. H. and Sarah J. (McKibben) McCullough.
Hon. M. H. McCullough, who died at Lima in 1901, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1818. In 1835 he migrated to Ohio and settled at Lima, where he became a man of wealth and influence, an extensive farmer and a leading dealer in real estate. He was prominent in public life, served in the Ohio Legislature, and staunchly supported the Democratic party. For a number of years he was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church. He married Sarah J. McKibben, a daughter of John McKibben, a pioneer of 1835, who located on the farm which is now the site of McCullough Lake and Park. In 1893, the Senior McCullough presented this property to our subject and his one bother, J. C. McCullough, of Texas, who is connected with the Texas Oil Company. In 1898 George M. McCullough purchased his brother's interest and has been sole proprietor of the beautiful resort.
McCullough Lake and Park cover 44 acres, 26 acres of which is water, the lake furnishing the water used by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway Company at Lima. In 1903, after having already made many improvements on the property, Mr. McCullough erected a fine auditorium, with a seating capacity for 2,000 people, the resort being equipped with bath houses, pleasure boats and every modern convenience demanded by visitors. In winter the lake affords fine skating and in summer, excellent fishing, its waters abounding in black bass. The new auditorium has been fitted with a stage, 30 by 40 feet in size, and entertainments of an interesting character are frequently presented. During the season it is largely patronized by those who thus find, near at home, better accommodations and attractions than can be obtained at a distance.
George W. McCullough was educated in the schools of Lima and the Iron City Commercial College of Pittsburg, from which he was graduated in 1882. He then entered into a mercantile business on East Market street, Lima, which he conducted until 1898. Since then his attention has mainly been given to his present enterprise.
In 1886 Mr. McCullough was married to Ella E. Kelly, who is a daughter of H. B. Kelly, editor of the Allen County Democrat. Mr. McCullough has been active in civic life, and at one time served as a member of the City Council.