When an individual passes from life it is common to review his history, taking note of his salient characteristics and of the work that he has accomplished. In the record of George R. Green there was much commendable and little to condemn. He was always actuated by honorable principles and manly purposes, and ever endeavored to do unto others as he would have them do to him. Thus closely following the Golden Rule, his life history is one well worthy of emulation. He was born in Rappahannock county, Virginia, June 11, 1836, a son of George W. and Louisa (Selix) Green, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. Their family numbered seven children, who were reared on the home farm and like the other sons of the household, George R. Green early became familiar with the task of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. His entire life was given to general agricultural pursuits. Born and reared in the south, he served for four years in the Confederate army, during the Civil war, under General Lee, and was also with General Early's black horse cavalry during the historical raid up the Shenandoah valley in Virginia in 1864.
In the year 1865 Mr. Green came to Ohio, settling at Cherry Valley, near Newark, where he resided for about four years. He then purchased the Martindale farm on York street and made it his home for more than thirty years, or until his demise. This is a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, constituting one of the attractive features of the landscape, for it is well improved with good buildings furnishing ample shelter to grain and stock, while the fields give evidence of the careful supervision bestowed upon them by the owner. As the years passed Mr. Green prospered in his undertakings and became one of the successful agriculturists of the community. About five years prior to his death he turned the management of the farm over to his son William and his remaining days were passed in well earned rest.
On the 28th of August, 1862, at Amesville, Virginia, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Taylor, who was born in Rappahannock, Virginia, November 18, 1843, a daughter of George and Elmira (Green) Taylor, who spent their entire lives on a Virginia farm. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Green was blessed with nine children, but they lost their first-born, Alice, at the age of a year and a half. Anna Virginia and Anna Lee were twins. The former became the wife of Charles Langle, of Harrison township, while the latter is the deceased wife of Rufus Buxton. Amanda C. is the wife of William Hanna of Pataskala. Armitta Frances is the wife of Charles Lenington, living near Jersey, this county. William F. wedded Gettie Roby and resides on the home farm in Harrison township. He is one of the enterprising agriculturists of the community and has erected a substantial residence on his father's farm and has also purchased sixty-five acres adjoining the home place. He operates both farms and is conducting an extensive dairy business, keeping Holstein cows for this purpose. Ella A. Green, the seventh member of the family, became the wife of Theopholus Langle and was killed by lightning, leaving a son and daughter. Jessie, a graduate from Bliss College of Columbus, was appointed the first teacher of the Bliss Commercial College of Newark when the home school at Columbus established a branch in Licking county. She is now office manager for the Clinchfield Coal Mining Company at Dante, Russell county, Virginia. Pearl is the wife of Ross Wilson, telegraph operator at Outville, Ohio.
The death of the husband and father occurred on the 29th of April, 1902, and on the 1st of May he was laid to rest in a beautiful lot in Pataskala cemetery. In 1866 he had united with the Christian Union church at Cherry Valley and his entire life was an exponent of his religious faith. He was devoted to his family and their welfare, faithful in his friendship and true to every relation of life, so that the community felt great sorrow when he passed away, knowing that they had sustained a heavy loss.
Centennial History of the City of Newark and Licking County Ohio, E. M. P. Brister, pages 398-401