Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 194 - 195

GEORGE A. LYON, a farmer, stock-raiser and shipper, of Waco Township, is the owner of a fine property containing 320 acres, located on sections 15 and 16, all of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.  The residence is a handsome, neat and comfortable one, and the barns and other out-buildings all that could be wished for.

      The subject of this sketch is a native of Franklin County, Pa., born Dec. 31, 1835, and is the son of William S. and Elizabeth (Askin) Lyon.  His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1798, and died in 1866.  His mother, also a native of the Keystone State, died in 1875.  They were the parents of the following children: Oliver and Margaret Ann, deceased; Catherine, wife of J. C. Gray; George A., the subject of this sketch; Thomas A., born in 1831, is a dentist and Postmaster at Camp Point, Ill.; Arabella, wife of George Colgate; Matilda was married to William Carlin; Elizabeth was married to Samuel Griffith, and lives in Adams County, Ill.  The family removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 1858, where the parents died.

      George A. Lyon passed his early life on his father's farm in the Keystone State, receiving his education in the model schools provided for the youth of that grand old commonwealth.  He there laid the foundation of an excellent education, and among his native hills breathed in that spirit of independence and freedom that is so characteristic of him.  At the age of twenty-one years he commenced the battle of life on his own account, and engaged in merchandising in Shade Gap, Pa., for three years, and then went to Adams County, Ill., where he remained about five years.  After his marriage, in the summer of 1866, with a view to the betterment of his fortunes, he removed to Colorado, and was engaged by the proprietor of the Planter's House, at Denver, as a clerk in the hotel for one year.  Before this time was up the gentleman disposed of his interest in the establishment, but honorably fulfilled his contract by retaining George in his service for the unexpired balance of the time.  He employed him in freighting lumber from Denver to Cheyenne.  Our subject made this trip the second time that the trail was ever passed over between the two points.  Upon one occasion, while crossing the plains with a load, he perceived across the open country a large band of Indians approaching him, with apparently hostile intent.  Stopping his team, he put his Winchester rifle and revolvers in shape that he might be in readiness to defend himself manfully, if they attacked him.  On came the riders, but when they had approached quite closely, he was agreeably surprised to find that they were of a tribe which was friendly to the settlers, and commanded by white men.  Joyfully thanking his stars, after a short conference he proceeded on his way. 

     On the expiration of the year our subject removed to Cheyenne, Wyo., where he was engaged in dairying.  Near his residence was located the village of some Indians who were known by the name of "Friday," who at the time of his residence there were wrought up to a species of desperation, and started out upon the warpath.  They killed and scalped a settler within but a quarter of a mile of the residence of Mr. Lyon.  At that time large game was very plenty in that locality, herds of deer and antelope being plainly in sight at almost any time of the day.  Venison, of course, was a drug in the market, and exceedingly cheap.  From Wyoming our subject removed to Illinois, where he remained until 1871, when he emigrated to this State, and settled in Sedgwick County.

      The marriage of Mr. Lyon to Miss Fannie E. Ward took place June 26, 1866.  The bride was a native of England, born Aug. 29, 1848, and is the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Hibbert) Ward, who were natives of the same kingdom.  She was one of the two children born to her parents.  Her brother, Robert Ward, was born in England in 1850, but is now a resident of Adams County, Ill., where he carries on the business of a tobacconist.  To Mr. and Mrs. George A. Lyon have been born five children, as follows: Edward, who was born in Colorado, June 28, 1867, now at home; William, born in Wyoming Territory Feb. 24, 1869; Thomas, born in Illinois, June 13, 1871; Elizabeth, born July 13, 1874; and Jessie Blanche, Oct. 13, 1882. Edward was educated in the common school and finished with a course at Garfield College, in Wichita. 

     In politics Mr. Lyon is a strong adherent to the doctrines of the Republican party, although but little of a politician.  He has, however, filled the office of Township Trustee for two years, and is now the incumbent of the office of School Treasurer, this being his second term.  Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are true and sincere Christian people.  They give a large portion of their time and liberally from their purse to aid in the religious and moral elevation of the community.  A generous hospitality is shown at his comfortable home, and few men are more genial in the social circle, or have a more happy faculty of making every one feel at their ease.  As a friend, Mr. Lyon is an ardent and constant one, and a friendship once formed by him can only be broken by the basest ingratitude or treachery on the part of one in whom he has reposed confidence.

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