HANCOCK COUNTY OHIO *********************************************************************** File contributed for use by Ohio Biographies Project by Carolyn J. Burns January 2003 *********************************************************************** George M. Stoker Centennial Biographical History, Hancock County, Ohio Page 14-15 With the industrial interests of McComb this gentleman is closely associated, being a member of the firm of Stoker Brothers, owners of the planing mill. He is a young man of enterprise and business capability and in his undertakings is meeting with desirable and well merited success. Mr. Stoker is a native of Hancock county, his birth having occurred in Allen township, upon his father's farm, in the year 1866. He is a son of T. A. Stoker, a well-known agriculturist of this community. He remained upon the old homestead until fourteen years of age, during which time he pursued his education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and through the summer months and in the periods of vacation he worked in field and meadow, assisting in the cultivation of the farm, but believing that another pursuit would prove more congenial, when fourteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed continuously until 1897. He became a proficient workman and evidences of his skill are seen in many substantial buildings of the county. In 1897 he joined his brother in the establishment of a planing mill business in McComb, and in the new enterprise they prospered, their business assuming large and profitable proportions. The Stoker Brothers are now manufacturing the Little Star grain separator for the company of which they are now members, and of which company George M. Stoker is the manager. In the year 1888 Mr. Stoker was united in marriage to Miss Lily Stout; and they have one son, Fred. Mr. Stoker is a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to both the lodge and the encampment, and in the former he has filled all of the chairs. He is now serving as treasurer of the town, being elected on the Republican ticket by a majority of ninety-five, although the usual majority is about thirty, --the increased vote indicating his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his capability and his loyalty in citizenship.