Biography of George W. Stout, page 281 / 282.  History of Northeast 
Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the 
editorial supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and 
William H. McIntosh.  The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1920.

   George W. Stout probably has the premier honors of long and veteran 
service in Uncle Sam's postoffice department.  He has been connected with 
the Hamilton postoffice almost continuously for thirty yeas, most of the 
time as assistant postmaster, and since 1914 has been chief executive of 
the office.
   Mr. Stout was born at Fairfield Center in DeKalb County, (Illinois), I 
think this should be Indiana), August 19, 1866, as son of Andrew J. and 
Sarah Anna (Houser) Stout.  His mother who died July 28, 1914, was born in 
Ohio, a daughter of Samuel Houser.  The paternal grandfather, George Stout, 
was an Ohio farmer living near Attica.  Andrew J. Stout was born in Seneca 
County, Ohio and in March, 1868, came to Hamilton from DeKalb County, 
Indiana, and  established himself as a shoe and boot maker.  He bought his 
leather direct from the tanners. In connection with his business he also 
served about twelve years as postmaster of Hamilton.  He was also a 
skillful veterinarian, and practiced that profession for a number of 
years.  In 1917 he disposed of his business interests at Hamilton and has 
since lived retired at Ashley.  Recently he paid a visit to old home 
localities in Ohio after he had been away from the community for forty 
years, and he died at the home of his son in Dayton, Ohio, March 12, 
1919.  He and his wife had four children: George W., Samuel W., one that 
died in infancy, and John W.
   George W. Stout received his education in Hamilton, graduating from 
high school there, and took a business course at Oberlin, Ohio, and was a 
student in the Tri-State College at Angola, when illness of his father 
called him home.  He than took up the duties of assistant postmaster, and 
has assisted every postmaster since his father's time with the exception 
of one.  He received appointment as postmaster of Hamilton, July 1, 1914.
   July 28, 1888, Mr. Stout married Lenora Dirrim, of DeKalb County, 
daughter of Robert R. and Amanda (Firestone ) Dirrim.  The Dirrims are one 
of the oldest and most prominent families in DeKalb County.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Stout had six children: Webster G., assistant postmaster under his father 
at Hamilton, married Mrs. Vera B. (Copp) Barney, daughter of Abner Copp, 
of St. Joesph, Indiana.  Letha M., is the wife of Jesse Mountz, operating 
the Home Bakery at Butler. Walter L. died July 20, 1904.  Fannie and Waldo 
F. are still at home, and George W. died in infancy.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com