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G.  J.  GEORGE, lawyer, Fairfield. Prominent among those who have figured in the history of Wayne County, and whose memory is cherished as almost sacred, is that of Francis George, or "Uncle Frank," as he was more familiarly known, and father to G. J. George, whose name heads this sketch. Francis George was of South Carolina stock, of the old Whig type, a man of great energy, firm in his convictions of right, and a born Abolitionist, believing in the absolute right of every man to equality before the law a man of strong mind and independence of thought, who dared to act and think for himself, and be often predicted the downfall of slavery, and lived to see it eliminated from our national government, though effected at the sacrifice of the blood of his sons. Of big many worthy characteristics, none linger in the memory more vividly than his fidelity to the Christian religion. For more than an average lifetime, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for forty years was constantly found at his post as leader of his class. Few men in the county's history have exerted such a potent influence for good, and, though big remains now rest in the Fairfield Cemetery, the influence of his molding hand and the example of his godly life are still seen and felt in the community in which he lived so long and well.  He died June 11, 1882, at the age of seventy years.  His wife, whose name was Luraney Gillison, is still living, at the age of seventy years, and retains muoh of her youthful vigor. She is a sister of the late Hull Gillison, so well known in Wayne County. Francis and Luraney George had a family of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters.  The oldest son, Capt. Ezekiel George, fell on the field of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and is buried beside his father, as is also Gillison, the fourth son, whose wounds and exposure of the war brought him to a premature grave. "Zeke," as the Captain was better known, was a young man of noble parts, universally loved at home and popular in the ranks, and is a man destined to have risen to distinction as a soldier and citizen, had not his life been taken as a put of the great price of national freedom, and in the infinite galaxy of heaven there shines no brighter gem than that which decks the brow of such brave men. Nine of the children still live to honor the memory of their their deceased father, and to bestow their hearts' affections upon their mother in her declining years.  G. J. George, commonly known as James George, was born in White County, near Liberty, on March 17, 1837. But few men are allowed to linger in the flesh so long after their decease as has James George. While we write, we have before no copies of the Fairfield papers of July, 1864, in which is published his obituary, as well as a number of resolutions of respect by his many friends. On the 27th of June, 1864, he had fallen in the charge on Kenesaw Mouutain, and, as all thought, mortally wounded; but was picked up by the enemy and carried within their lines, while the killed were left unburied on the field.  Three days later, the Federal dead were buried by their comrades. One of these lay where James fell, and was thought to be he, though the three days' heat of a Southern sun rendered them unrecognizable. They, as well as the Chaplain, wrote to his parents, telling of his valor, trying to comfort them with the report of how nobly he had fallen, etc., etc., and hence the resolutions of respect. James says some of those friends now think the resolutions somewhat overdrawn, but they thought he was dead; and that now, when he reads those resolutions signed by Jeff Barnhill., Bill Robinson and others, and sees in what esteem he was held, he is admonished to guard carefully his acts. lost when he has been called upon to "shuffle off this mortal, etc.," he find himself under the necessity of re-publishing the old, rather than risk the formation of new resolution.  Suffice it to say, that, though Mr. George lay for ninety-six days in a rebel prison, he survived, returned to his loving parents and cherished friends, and still lives, an honor to societyand the Methodist Episcopal Church, inwhich he, like his father, is a faithful class leader.  In conversation, he said to the  adopt the profession of physician and surgeon, and accordingly entered the oiffice of Dr. E. L. Stewart, under whom he did the usual preparatory reading.  Early in the progress of the rebellion, he entered the Eightv-seventh Illinois Infantry, as Hospital Steward, and was afterward made the Acting Assistant Surgeon, which position be creditably filled until the closo of the war.  He was honorably discharged in June, l65. In August following, he located at Mount Erie, Wayne Co., Ill., where he practiced until the fall of 1868. He was then made the choice of the people of Wayne County for Circuit Clerk, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket.  At the end of four years, he was reelected to the same office by a large majority, and served with acceptance until 1876. In 1870, he was appointed as Master in Chancery, serving until 1876, reappointed in 1880, and is the presentt incumbent. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention of 1876, which nominated Tilden and Hendricks. He was placed in nomination by and received the full Democratic vote of the State Senate at Clark of the Senate, in 1878. He has always acted with the Democratic party from a sense of principle aud right. He was married, September 27, 1865, to Miss Clarinda Hoffman, of Carmi, White Co., Ill.   Sho died in March, 1873, leaving one child-  Bessie S. Handley.  He was married to his present wife, Miss Sallie McCall, on the 29th of April, 1874.  Dr. Handley was made a Mason in 1858, in Carmi Lodge, No. 272 and is now the Secretary of Fairfield Lodge No. 206, A. F. & A. M., and Most Excellent High Priest of Fairfield Chapter, No. 179 and the Thrice Illustrious Master of Fairfield Council, U. D.; also a membor of Gorin Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar, at Olney, 111. He has been an important member of the Board of Trustees of Fairfield, and is now its clerk;  was a candidate for the position in the Appellate Court for the Third Grand Division of Illinois before the Democratic Convention of 1879, at Centralia, and though receiving a flattering support was defeated by a few votes.