George W. Burge

George W. Burge was born in Troy, New York, May 25, 1842. His father was a blacksmith. He was the youngest child. His family had seven children.

When he was fifteen, he came to Springfield with his older brother, James. George got a job in a drug store in town. His brother, James, was a builder. He built homes and stores.

Both George and James Burge were soldiers during the Civil War. They defended Springfield during the war.

On January 4, 1865, George Burge married Ellen A. Starks. He and his wife, Ellen Burge, helped start the Benton Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.

George Burge wanted to own and run a store. He opened a general store on Commercial Street. His store had lots of shoppers. His business was very successful.

He bought several buildings. One of these would later be used by his wife, Ellen Burge, to start a hospital.

He believed it was important to support your community. He always tried to inspire good citizenship.

He and his wife, Ellen, wanted to help Springfield develop.

Source: Jonathan Fairbanks and Clyde Edwin Tuck, Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri, 1915