Upon the old home farm in West Virginia George J. Dehart passed his boyhood and youth, remaining with his father until grown. He then worked by the month as a farm hand for a few years., and subsequently bought a farm in his native county, which he operated for several years. In early life he entered the state militia, and rose to the rank of second lieutenant. After the Civil War broke out he was induced to join the Confederate army and became a member of Company D, Twenty-seventh Virginia Infantry, which was first under the command of General Stonewall Jackson, and later under General Robert E. Lee. During the first battle of Bull Run he received a gunshot wound, but was not disabled, and remained in the service for nearly three years.
Mr. Dehart was first married in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, August 28, 1860, to Miss Sarah F. Skaggs, a daughter of David J. Skaggs. She was born in Indiana, but was reared in West Virginia. In 1869, Mr. Dehart removed to Alton, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for two years, and then spent a year and a half at Bloomington. Coming to Iowa in 1874 he located in Carroll county and Sac county before coming to Calhoun county in 1881, locating on a tract of eighty acres in Calhoun township, which he had purchased several years previously.
Mr. Dehart has since enlarged and improved his residence, has erected convenient outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade trees, and made many other useful and valuable improvements. He raises a good grade of stock, and although he started out in life with no capital he has steadily prospered through his own well directed efforts, being a good business man and a thorough and systematic farmer.
Mr Dehart's first wife died in this county, October 20, 1885, leaving five children, namely: James F., who is now married and resides in Kansas; Virginia Alice, wife of Sherman Peterson, of Lake City, Iowa; Emma Susan, wife of William Borden, of Chicago, Illinois; Frank, who is with his brother in Kansas; and May, at home. On the 5th of June, 1888, Mr. Dehart was again married, in Calhoun county, his second union being with Miss Sarah Corey, who was born and reared in DeKalb county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Daniel Corey of that county. By this marriage two children have been born: John C. and Mary Caroline.
Always a strong temperance man Mr. Dehart is now identified with the Prohibition party and is a stanch supporter of its principles. He takes an active interest in educational affairs and most efficiently served as a member of the school board for some years. He and his wife are both earnest and consistent members of the Baptist church of Lake City and are held in the highest regard by all who know them.
Unfortunately, there is no photo of him available at this time.