From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 207
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902 

GEORGE F. HAUSER 

   Banking interests are the heart of the commercial body and indicate the healthfulness of trade.  In times of financial depression the bank which continues business along safe yet progressive lines does more to establish public confidence than any other agency, and at all times it is a power in the business world whose influence can scarcely be exaggerated.  One of the reliable financial concerns of central Kansas is the Bushton State Bank, of which George F Hauser is cashier, and in his official capacity he has become widely known, commanding uniform confidence by his straightforward methods.  He has been a resident of Bushton since 1887 and of central Kansas since 1874.

   Like many of the leading citizens of this portion of the state Mr Hauser is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in the village of Langenau, Baden, on the 22^nd of November, 1858.  He is a representative of a good family whose salient characteristics are integrity, industry and morality.  His father, Fritz Hauser, was born in Baden, July 6, 1822, acquired his education there and after arriving at years of maturity married Elizabeth Obser, who was born July 8, 1826, and whose childhood was also passed in Baden, the place of her nativity.  Their son George was a lad of ten summers when the family came to the United States, settling at Columbus, Platte county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1869, where they remained until 1874, when they came to central Kansas, locating at Ellinwood, Barton county.  The father was a farmer by occupation and carried on that pursuit in Barton county until his death, which occurred July 31, 1884, when he was sixty-two years of age.  His wife died in Ellinwood, October 6, 1900, when seventy-four years of age.  Both were honored and respected for their many good qualities and for their fidelity to the principles of right living.  Five children survived the mother:  Ernest, of Ellinwood; William F, a resident of McMinnville, Oregon; George F, of Bushton; Ludwig F, a resident of Nashville, Kansas; and August F, of Bushton.  They also lost one daughter, Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven years and is buried at Columbus, Nebraska.

   Leaving the fatherland at the age of ten years, George F Hauser was principally reared in Nebraska and Kansas, pursuing his education in the schools of the two states and gaining practical experience in farm work by assisting his father in the field.  At the age of eighteen years he began teaching school in Barton county, Kansas, and later he was employed as a clerk in the postoffice at Ellinwood.  He afterward went to New Mexico in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad Company and was also employed by the Adams and Wells-Fargo Express Companies, while later he had charge of the freight department of the Santa Fe Railroad at Ellinwood.  This was followed by a period devoted to the real-estate business, and in 1887 he came to Bushton, where he was interested in a hardware and implement store.  On retiring, in 1893, from that line of trade, he managed a private bank in Bushton, and in 1898 took up his abode upon his farm of two hundred and forty acres adjoining that village.  The place is known as Cedarlawn Farm and is one of the best places in Farmer township, improved with an attractive residence, large barns and outbuildings and all modern improvements.  There is a granary, a windmill, an orchard and a beautiful grove of cedars, from which the place takes its name.  Everything is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating the careful supervision of an enterprising owner, who in addition to his agricultural interests fills the office before mentioned – that of cashier of the Bushton State Bank.  Also, he is specially interested in his orchard and select herd of shorthorn cattle.  During the years 1874-6 he herded cattle on the plains in the summer, being in the saddle day after day, rain or shine, and attended school during the winter months.

   March 28, 1883, when twenty-five years of age, Mr Hauser was united in marriage to Miss Bianca Volkland, who was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, June 17, 1858, a daughter of William and Pauline Volkland.  She died near Bushton, August 12, 1887, leaving two children:  Willie E, born in Ellinwood, February 9, 1885; and Lola Florence, born in the same city February 27, 1886.  On the 29^th of November, 1888, in Bushton, Mr Hauser was again married, his second union being with Emma Swartz, who was born in Bettsville, Sandusky county, Ohio, January 9, 1859, and she is a lady of intelligence who has made his home very pleasant and attractive.  She is the second daughter of the Rev S and Sarah Swartz, the former an honored pioneer and well known minister of the Methodist Episcopal church.  He was for many years a leading and influential citizen of this community, but is now living in Oklahoma.  Unto Mr and Mrs Hauser have been born two sons:  Ernest S, born June 17, 1897, and Theo R, born July 22, 1901.  In his political opinions our subject is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as one of the trustees.  His name is synonymous with honorable dealing in all business affairs; he is uniformly courteous and considerate, and wherever known is esteemed for his genuine worth of character.  He, however, gratefully acknowledges that whatever success he may have attained in life is largely due to the teachings of Professor J R Bickerdyke, his former preceptor, whom he holds in high regard and gratefully remembers as a teacher and a proven friend.