Cutshall, George W.

GEORGE W. CUTSHALL, farmer, P.O. Guy’s Mills. The grandfather of our subject, Philip Cutshall, was born in Pennsylvania in 1767; and his wife Elizabeth was born in 1760. In 1803 they came from Cumberland County to Venango County, settling about six miles west of Franklin. They had three sons: John, Jacob and George, and one daughter— Nancy. The sons, on arriving at maturity, were among the early settlers of this township, locating in 1814, their parents coming subsequently. Their father died in 1829, their mother in 1836. Their youngest son, George, the father of our subject, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., April 29, 1799, and was four years old when brought to Venango County, where he grew to maturity, undergoing the privations of pioneer life. In 1823 he married Jane Sterling, and by this union had thirteen children: Jeremiah, Nancy, Eliza, Maria, Mary Jane, Gorge W., Warren, Sarah E., Philip M., Jacob A., Joseph B., La Fayette and Lydia A. Mr. Cutshall settled on the place where his son George now resides, and was the owner of 400 or 500 acres, which now constitute several farms. Here Mr. Cutshall remained the greater portion of his life and here he raised his family. A short time prior to his death, in company with his wife, he visited his daughter in Lorain County, Ohio, and eventually purchased property and removed there, where he died in March, 1876, his widow in April, 1883. The subject of our sketch was born on the homestead on which he now lives, December 30, 1832. Owing to lack of school privileges in his youth, his education is somewhat limited, but his mind has been broadened by the extended experiences of a life which, although mainly devoted to the farm, has also reached out to numerous business enterprises. Among other things, he assisted in building the first railroad that ran into Cleveland, Ohio. He has held nearly all the official honors it is in the power of the township to bestow. During the war he went out with the State militia, but did not see active service. He is a member of the State Police, also of the Grange at Guy’s Mills. In 1853 he was married to Matilda I. Masiker, who was born September 12, 1830. The result of this union has been three children: A. Frank, Sarah Eliza (wife of W.E. Russell, of Randolph Township), Lafayette (born April 19, 1860, died October 10, 1864). Mr. Cutshall is one of the most extensive breeders of short horn cattle in the county, having several head purchased in Kentucky and Ohio, and about twenty head of registered stock of his own raising.