George Stokes
George Stokes, a leading citizen of Concord Township, residing on his well-improved farm of 126 acres, was born in Somersetshire. England, November 24, 1829, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (White) Stokes. The parents of Mr. Stokes were born in Somersetshire and both died in England. They had two children, George and Mary Ann, the latter of whom married John Carp. Thomas Stokes was a malster and brewer by occupation.
George Stokes attended school in his childhood, near the family home, and when he had grown older, his father sent him to a school in the city of Bath, where he remained for several years, having two yearly vacations—in mid-summer and at Christmas. These were great occasions, as time-honored old customs were observed in the family home. In 1848, George Stokes was married to Annie Hill, who is a daughter of George and Elizabeth Hill. She also was born in Somersetshire, England, and attended school with Mr. Stokes. Prior to their coming to America, in 1851, they had a daughter, Sarah Ann. born to them, January 14. 1850. who married James Maddox, who resided on the farm which Mr. Stokes now owns, in Concord Township. Mr. and Mrs. Maddox had two daughters, Mary and Jessie. The latter died at the age of twenty-two years. The former married John Rutherford and they reside in Morrow County, Ohio. They have four children. Mr. and Mrs. Stokes had a son born in 1858, in Union County. Ohio. They gave him the name of the grandfather, in England—Thomas Stokes. He died in 1802, leaving a widow and one daughter, both of whom are engaged in teaching, the former, in the public schools of Delaware.
When Mr. Stokes and family came to America, they settled in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, which continued to be their home until 1863. In 1858, Mr. Stokes was engaged to do all the butchering and preparing of meat tor Mr. Wilson, who then had charge of the White Sulphur Springs Hotel, and after completing that contract, in 1859, he returned to visit his aged parents in England and remained with them for four months. In March, 1863, he returned to Ohio, and bought the farm on which he resides, moving to the Springs in the same year. At that time this land was in heavy timber and much effort has since been expended in clearing, cultivating and improving it. For a season the family lived in an unpretentious house, but later erected the substantial one now standing. For twenty-seven years Mr. Stokes was employed on the property which was acquired by the State of Ohio for a site for the Girls' Industrial Home, in Delaware County, and thereby earned a large part of the capital which he has been able to use to such good advantage in the improvement of his present property. His whole life has been a busy and useful one.
In national affairs, Mr. Stokes is a zealous Republican, but in local affairs he is influenced by the special fitness of candidates, aside from party lines. He is a member of Lodge No. 225, Knights of Pythias, at Bellpoint.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908