George H. Wetmore, banker in Adair, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, March 17, 1832, son of Horace Wetmore, a native of Connecticut; mother was Hannah Kizertee, a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio. Mrs. Wetmore's father was born in Baltimore, and was of English descent. His grandfather was a sea-captain in the employ of England. In 1837 the subject of our sketch, with parents, removed to Knox county, Illinois, where they remained on a farm till 1849, when George H. went to California, prospecting for gold, in which he was successful, returning in 1851. In 1854 he was in Texas and Mexico, but returning, he removed to Galesburg, Illinois, and engaged in the real-estate business until 1870, when he went to Yankton, Dakota, and engaged in the same business there, and also acting in the capacity of treasurer and director of the Southern Dakota railroad, running from Sioux City to Yankton, Dakota, sixty-five miles, until 1874, at this time he removed to Guthrie county, Iowa, settling in Grant Township, on section 16, buying the whole section and improving it. This is one of the finest farms in the county, and Mr. Wetmore has improved it from a perfectly wild state to a very nice location, his house alone costing about five thousand dollars. On this farm is found fine stock, Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Wetmore's financial interests are in a number of places, owning considerable village property in Adair, a good residence in the village and some large interests in Hanson county, Dakota of which county he was the first settler. His marriage occurred in the fall of 1855 to Miss Mary A. Ellis, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Laban Ellis, of Kentucky. Four children have been born to them--Eugene A., living in the South, Charles I., in the West, Frank H., married to Lizzie Ellis, and assisting in the bank, George H. is at home, and in school. Mr. and Mrs. Wetmore are members of Universalist church, and in politics a green backer, and works for the interest of the party.

From History of Guthrie and Adair County, Iowa