North Star Township Biography
GEORGE L. JESSUP
Source: BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF GRATIOT COUNTY, MICHIGAN published by J. B. BEERS & CO., Chicago, 1906
GEORGE L. JESSUP, proprietor of the elevators at Pompeii and at North Star, has for some years been regarded as one of the able business men of the section. He has been identified with the operation of the elevators since 1892, and their present prosperity may be considered due to his energy, skill and sound business judgment. Mr. Jessup was born September 17, 1867, in Newark township, Gratiot county, and received his education in the public schools there and in the Ithaca high school, remaining home, afterward, until he was twenty-five years old.
John H. Jessup, father of George L., was born December 24, 1837, in Rensselaer county, New York, son of Isaac M. and Eleanor (Schermerhorn) Jessup, natives of New York State. John H. Jessup was two years old when his father located in Michigan, and he obtained his education in the common schools of this State. On reaching manhood he started out in life on his own account, and in December, 1860, located in Gratiot county, becoming the owner of sixty-three acres of unimproved land in Newark township. To his original farm he added eighty-five acres, and here he continued farming for many years. In October, 1864, he entered the army and was assigned to serve in the Twenty-third Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, being in the army nine months, during which time he participated in the actions at Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and at Port Anderson, North Carolina. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, at Washington, D. C.
John H. Jessup was married December 29, 1859, at Lyons, Ionia county, to Margaret R. Dean, born August 28, 1840, in Yates county, New York, daughter of Amos and Betsey (Grant) Dean, and to this union were born eight children: Charles H.; Nettie, the wife of William C. Naldrett; Arthur H.; George L., our subject; Frank A.; William T., who died at the age of sixteen years; Glen O.; and Bertha M., the wife of A. Naldrett.
In 1892 George L. Jessup purchased a half interest in the elevator at Pompeii, having as a partner James Anstey. After they had been a year together Mr. Jessup purchased the latter's interest and since that time has conducted the business alone, except for two years, when he was in partnership with his brother, Charles H. Jessup. Early in 1900 he also purchased the elevator at North Star and has since then operated both. He controls the trade in the two towns in coal, lime, salt, timber and shingles, besides handling all the hay and grain at both! points. Mr. Jessup possesses all the qualities of the successful business man of to-day, is energetic, progressive, wide-awake, and, has unusually good judgment. He has been successful in his undertakings, while his affable and courteous manners have won him a host of friends.
On June 2, 1895, Mr. Jessup married Miss Dora Vedder, daughter of Clark and Sarah (Deline) Vedder, of North Star township. Mrs. Jessup was born March 19, 1874. She has borne her husband three children, namely: Ivor, Lynn and Forrest. Mr. Jessup is one of the public-spirited men of the township, always ready to promote any measure for the good of the community, although he is not a politician in the usual sense of the word. Fraternally he is connected with the I.O.O.F. and the M.W.A.
Created on ... October 09, 2001