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GEORGE WASHINGTON GUM. George Washington Gum spent his youth on his father's farm in Bond county, his early education being secured in the Pleasant Grove district school, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty years. The next term he began teaching school at West Chappell, Fayette county, and after continuing there for two terms he took two summer courses at Valparaiso University, to fit himself for advanced work. After four years spent in teaching the public schools of Keyesport he clerked for one summer in the store of Frank Laws, and on the following November 13th, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Barcroft, he purchased the old Laws stock, and the firm of Gum & Barcroft was formed, an association which continued until May, 1908, when Mr. Gum purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Gum has a fine stock of first-class goods, and his progressive spirit has led him to adopt many of the ideas of the big city department stores. He keeps fully abreast of the times, constantly replenishing his stock with modern articles and endeavoring to give his customers the best value obtainable for the money. This policy has caused his business to 1490 grow steadily, as he has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen in the only way that such confidence and esteem can be acquired - a fair price and honest goods to all. His politics are those of the Republican party, but so far his business has claimed all of his attention, and outside of taking a good citizen's interest in public matters he has had little to do with public affairs. He is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows, and his religious views are those of the Christian church. On December 24, 1903, while teaching his first term in the Keyesport public schools, Mr. Gum was married in this city to Sadie A. Dill, daughter of Ambrose and Rebecca Dill, of Keyesport, an old and well-known family. Mr. and Mrs. Gum have had no children. She is a member of the Methodist church, and well and popularly known in church circles. |
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