Biography of George Deems, pages 692/693.  History of DeKalb County, 
Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914



George Deems



	The name of George Deems will be one of the best remembered in 
the history of DeKalb county of the present generation, for it was long 
very closely associated with her agricultural interests, and although 
he is today numbered among the silent inhabitants of “God’s acre, “ the 
good he did, his many little acts of kindness and the influence of his 
wholesome life still live and are potent in the lives of many who were 
associated with him.

	George Deems was born on June 7, 1840, in DeKalb county, Indiana, 
and was a son of George and Hannah (Dudgeon) Deems, both of whom were 
natives of Pennsylvania and descended from some of the sturdy stock of 
that old commonwealth.  They were the parents of five children, John, 
Eli, Mrs. Eliza Kepler, the subject of this sketch, all of whom are 
deceased and William, who now lives on a farm in DeKalb county.

	George Deems received his education in the common schools, and 
his early life was devoted to assisting in the work of improving and 
cultivation their pioneer farm, for they were numbered among the early 
settlers of this locality.  He grew to strong and sturdy manhood and 
became on of the substantial and influential citizens of DeKalb county, 
enjoying a wide acquaintance and being held in high esteem by all who 
knew him.  He was an eye-witness of the wonderful transformation which 
took place here from the days when the land was largely covered with 
dense growth of timber and wild animals infested the forests, adding 
anxiety to the other hardships of the pioneers.  He never forsook the 
basic art of agriculture, to which he was reared and eventually became 
the owner of a good farm of ninety acres in Franklin township, to the 
management of which he devoted himself until the time of his death, 
which occurred on June 8, 1897. Such had been his life in the community 
that his death was considered a distinct loss by all who knew him.  
Although his life was a busy one, his everyday affairs making large 
demands upon his time, he never shrank from his duties as a citizen and 
his obligation to his church, his neighbors and his friends.  He was 
remembered as a man of great energy and rare judgment, which he carried 
into all affairs in which he was held by all who came into contact with 
him was but a just tribute to his worth.

	On August 5, 1866, Mr. Deems was united in marriage to Louisa 
Rude, the daughter of Ariel and Sophia (Stoddard) rude, the father a 
native of Massachusetts and the mother of New York state.  To this 
union were born eight children, namely: Mrs. Dora Richard, of Butler, 
this county; Oran, who lives with his mother; Mrs. Minnie Thomas, who 
also lives with her mother; Mrs. Hannah Hunting, of this county; Mrs. 
Clara Allwood, of DeKalb county; and Emma, who died at the age of seven 
years.  The mother of these children, who was born on April 11, 1847, 
is still residing on the old home farm and enjoys the respect and 
esteem of all who know her.  George Deems was not only successful in 
his own private affairs and good neighbor and loyal to his own family, 
but in the time of his country’s distress gave practical evidence of 
his patriotism by enlisting as a private in Company H, Eighty-eighth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he valiantly served 
three years, giving his country faithful and earnest service in the 
suppression of the rebellion.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com