BIOGRAPHY - GEORGE MONTELIUS
George D. Montelius, whose prominence in the grain trade of Illinois is indicated by his election as one of the directors of the Illinois State Grain Dealers' Association, is now extensively operating in grain at Piper City under the firm name of George D. Montelius & Company, becoming his father's partner and his successor in the management of the business.
He was born in Piper City, November 30, 1872, and has always made his home here. In early boyhood he attended the public schools and for four years was under the instruction of a private tutor, after which he spent two years as a student in Lake Forest Academy. He likewise attended the Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, Michigan, for two years and following his return to Piper City became a factor in its business circles in the winter of 1894 as a partner with his brothers, J. K. and J. A. Montelius, in the agricultural implement business under the firm style of Montelius Brothers. This association was maintained until the 1st of May, 1902, when George D. Montelius sold his interest to his brother J. A. Montelius, Jr., and entered the grain trade with his father under the firm name of George D. Montelius & Company. He has continued therein to the present time and since the 1st of May, 1902, has been a member of the Chicago Board of Trade. He is widely known because of the extent and importance of his operations as a grain dealer and has met with gratifying success in the business.
On the 1st of November, 1894, Mr. Montelius was married to Miss Clara Plank, who was born in Piper City, a daughter of J. B. Plank. She died in 1896, and on the 26th of June, 1900, Mr. Moutelius was again married, his second union being with Anna F. Stadler, a native of this place and a daughter of John Stadler. There are two children of this marriage: Charles H., born June 23, 1902; and Dorothy H., born March 28, 1907.
In his political views Mr. Montelius is an inflexible republican and for three terms has served as village trustee. His cooperation can always be counted upon to aid in the practical work of improving and upbuilding the village. He has attained high rank in Masonry and is a past master of Piper Lodge, No. 608, A. F. & A. M.; a past commander of St. Paul Commandery, No. 34, K. T., of Fairbury, while in Oriental Consistory, Chicago, he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of Medinah Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to Piper Lodge, No. 471, I. O. O. F., and to Piper Camp, No. 718, M. W. A. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church and as one of its elders he does all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. The members of the Montelius family need no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the sons have followed the example of their honored father and are enterprising, reliable business men, who accomplish what they undertake and in that accomplishment follow methods which neither seek nor require disguise.
Extracted 19 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 1, pages 395-396.
