born in erie, kansas, george attended the grade schools and graduated from labette county high school at altamont, kansas. enlisted in april 1917 and served in the united states army with rank of corporal until discharged in may 1919. learned the printing trade on the altamont journal, published by his father. he was owner and publisher of the edna sun from 1924-1941. officer with kansas state highway commission from 1939 to 1950.