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GEORGE PLUMER, deceased, was during a long and active career one of the most highly esteemed men of his community,
and his life work was largely to its advantage along both material and moral lines. He was a man of the highest
character, and his example was ever ennobling and worthy of emulation.
He was born in West Newton, Westmoreland county, May 11, 1814, son of Alexander and Susanna (Robinson) Plumer,
whose only other child was a daughter who is also deceased. The mother of these children died young, and Alexander
Plumer married twice afterward. By his second wife, a Miss Moore, he became the father of three daughters, of whom
one survives, Eliza, widow of Andrew Funk, and resides in Chicago, Illinois; her husband was the man who became
famous by being the first to develop petroleum in Pennsylvania. The third wife of Alexander Piumer was a Miss Reynolds.
Alexander Plumer was a well known business man in West Newton, which was his place of residence until his death
at the advanced age of ninety years. His father, George Plumer, was one of the most prominent men in his region
in his day. He was a leading farmer, and took an active part as a member of the Democratic party, and served one
term in the lower house of congress.
George Plumer, only son of Alexander and Susanna (Robinson) Plumer, was reared at home, and acquired his education
in the common schools. The educational advantages of his time were meagre, but he was a man of strong character,
a close observer and deep reasoner, and he inherited his father's great business ability, which he further developed
through his own laudable ambitions, unflagging industrs and keen discernment Early in life he established a salt
manufacturing business on Sewickley creek, which he conducted with considerable success for a number of years,
making it one of the leading industries of that region. Later he engaged in a tannery business, in West Newton,
and this he brought to large dimensions, carrying it on with profit for about thirty five years. About 1890, having
reached the age of seventy six years, he retired with a competency. Notwithstanding his advanced age, however,
he preserved his physical vigor in a large degree, and his mental faculties unimpaired, and occupied a useful and
inufiential place in the community until his death, nine years later, on April 19, 1899. For a number of years
he served in the position of notary public, and a testimonial to his ability and integrity is found in the many
important trusts which were devolved upon him, in the capacity of administrator of estates, and executor of wills,
and others in which it was sought to safeguard the interests of widows and fatherless children. He was a devoted
member of the Presbyterian church, which he served as trustee for about thirty five years, and he was also for
many years superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1860 Mr. Plumer married Lucetta Cort, a daughter of Daniel and
Elizabeth (Turney) Cort, of Sewickley township. Her father was a native of that township, and an industrious farmer
and highly respected man. Her grandfather, John Joseph Cort, who was also a farmer in the same township, was a
native of Germany and came to America in his young manhood. No children came to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Plumer.
They adopted a child, Flora Elizabeth, to whom they gave the same tender love they would have given an own child.
and she is now the wife of Alfred J. Parker, who is engaged in the insurance business in West Newton. Mr. Plumer
passed away deeply regretted by the community at large to whom he left the fragrant memories of a blameless and
well spent life, marked only with deeds of honor and kindliness, and acts of unostentatious charity.
From:
History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Vol. 3
By: John N. Boucher
The Lewis Publishing Company
New York - Chicago, 1906
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