Page 309 --- "Ogle Co. Portrait and Biographical Album" by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1886

George W. Shank, of the township of Mt. Morris, has been a resident of Ogle County since 1849. He was born in Frederick Co., Md., Feb. 8, 1825. His father and mother died before he was a year old and left him wholly orphaned. He was cared for by strangers after that until he was 12 years old, and after he arrived at the age he earned his own livelihood. He had one sister, who is still living, Mrs. Elizabeth Main, who resides in the county of their nativity. She is older. After the death of his parents Mr. Shank lived with a a man named Snyder until the death of his patron, and after that event he obtained employment on farms until his own marriage and settlement in life. Miss Susan Malone, of Washington Co., Md., became his wife Dec. 28, 1848. She was born in that county July 27, 1827, and lived there until she was married to Mr. Shank. Soon after their union in marriage they came to Illinois, leaving that county in Maryland and coming hither in the spring of 1849. Mr. Shank purchased 127 acres of land in the township of Pine Creek, on which his family resided until 1877, when the place there was sold and they removed to Mt. Morris. That village has since been their residence. They have two living children and one deceased. Laura is married to Mr. A. Newcomer, a merchant of Mt. Morris; George M. resides in Rock Island and is a telegraph operator; Albert was the name of the son who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Shank are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat of solid views and principles, and under the trying difficulties of his youth has made a creditable success of life.

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