George W. Cutshall

biography

CUTSHALL, George W. was born on the homestead on which he now lives, in Randolph Township, December 30, 1832.  Owing to lack of school privileges in his youth his education is somewhat limited, but his mind has been broadened by the extended experiences of a life which, although mainly devoted to the farm, has also reached out to numerous business enterprises.  Among other things he assisted in building the first railroad that ran into Cleveland, Ohio.  He has held nearly all the official honors it is in the power of the township to bestow.

        During the late war of the Rebellion he went out with the State militia, but did not see active service.  He is a member of the State police, also of the Grange at Guy's Mills.

        In 1853 he was married to Matilda Jane Masiker, who was born September 12, 1829.  The result of this union has been three children:  A. Frank, Sarah Eliza (wife of W. E. Russell, of Randolph Township) and Lafayette (born April 19, 1860, died October 10, 1864).  Mr. Cutshall is one of the most extensive breeders of Short-horn cattle in the county, having several head purchased in Kentucky and Ohio, and about twenty head of registered stock of his own raising.

        Of the great regard he has for his brother-in-law, Mr. G. W. Cutshall, and the pleasant memories ever present to him of the friendship that has existed between them from youth up, Mr. Francis C. Waid writes as follows:  "My personal acquaintance with my dear friend and brother-in-law, Mr. Cutshall, began in our youth, before we became related to each other by my marriage with his wife's sister, Eliza C., April 23, 1854.  Since then I have learned to regard him and his wife as brother and sister, and true friendship is the reward of over thirty-six years' acquaintance.  It is time the world knew something of the good men who have befriended me so long, and I desire now and at all times to acknowledge my gratitude, and continue the payment of the debt as long as I live; for it is written:  To whom much is given, much is required.  Let us be honest, and not shirk responsibility.  I love the kind of friendship that outlives ourselves; a friendship that our children can take up when our last breath is breathed, and continue it throughout their lives.  I am glad Mr. Cutshall and I started out on this line; and like David, who said of the Lord, Thou hast known my soul in adversity, so may we say of each other.  We have known one another in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity; nay, more, we have helped each other to bury our loved ones who have preceded us to the Eternal Home.  Such, in brief, is a part history of these few years that are gone--years freighted with innumerable blessings; and when disappointment came, and dark clouds o'ershadowed our path, true friendship stepped in and reminded us that 'every cloud has a silver lining.' True friendship stood the test, and by it each of us have often been blessed.  Many are the happy days that are passed and gone, but like the rose, they have left behind a sweet perfume, refreshing as the welcome incense-breathing winds of summer.  I recall them only with pleasure; and I hope my sons and all others may build on the same sure foundation--a substructure of solid, immutable friendship.

        "Those peaches which we four--Jane, Eliza and George Cutshall and myself--ate in Jacob Masiker's orchard on that beautiful afternoon before Eliza and I were married, became an introduction to the many good times that followed, to the rare pleasure of the true friendship that we enjoyed not only at home but also frequently abroad, even in the West--Iowa and Minnesota.  But then this is not all; let not the reader forget that, in my opinion, the greatest happiness of life, after all, is at home in the family circle, and when our best friends visit us.  Now catch my thought, dear reader, read and study this a little.  Think of the two sisters in Jacob Masiker's family--Eliza C. and Jane--so closely resembling each other that some called them 'twin sisters,' because they used to dress alike, their dispositions or tempers were almost identical, and they did their work in nearly the same way; so added to this, their being brought up together; and their being together so much after their marriage, is it to be marveled at that they loved each other?  Is it any wonder they were called ' twin sisters?'

        "As George and I were farmers (and we both still follow farm life), we used to change work on each other's farm, and thus pursue our pleasant calling with advantage to both of us.  This 'trading labor,' if I may so call it, was carried on many years, and to some extent we were 'changing work,' or helping each other, till I rented my home farm to my youngest son, Fred Francis, in 1889.  And now this brings me back to the pleasant thought above cited--a home visit with such friends and relatives as I have introduced.  For me to essay to illustrate or describe a visit of such a nature is, I apprehend, scarcely necessary, even if it were within the possibility of my humble pen; it would be like trying to introduce the reader to the sunshine.  We all know what that is; and how all nature--man and beast, tree and herb--rejoice when, after the sun's face has been hidden from us for a long time, with magic power he places aside the murky clouds, like a curtain, and once again from a lovely clear, blue sky pours his radiant smiles on us.  Do we not then appreciate all the more his gentle life-giving warmth and light?  So we, as a family, very many times, during a period of over thirty-four years of our married lives, have appreciated one another's home visits, and enjoyed each other's company.

        "In this volume will be found narrated many incidents where real joy and gladness have been expressed, on occasions of meetings between Mr. Cutshall and myself, or between his kinsfolk and my own.  I will cite one instance:  When I returned home from Kansas last November (1889), and visited Mr. Cutshall's family after their old farm home had been destroyed by fire, my brother-in-law placed his hand in mine, and, with a warm grasp of unmistakably true friendship, uttered these never-to-be-forgotten words:  'France, I have often seen you when I was so glad that I could hardly express my thankfulness, but never in my life have I been so glad as now;' and with a hearty shake of hands, and a look that spoke naught but true friendship, we greeted each other in misfortune's trying hour.

        "In conclusion permit me to add that, in regard to my brother-in-law and his wife, whose friendship toward me is well known between us, though I fail to find adequate words to describe it, I congratulate them at this age in life that they have deservedly won the many friends who greet them now in the prospect of their new house, for which material is on hand and forthcoming; in their possession of a well-cultivated farm, and fine herd of cattle, reared with so much care.

        "Many thousands of miles have Mr. Cutshall and myself traveled together, strengthening, by mutual observation of the varied scenes in other parts of this fair land, the bond of true friendship that has, by virtue of its long life, become a second nature to us.  One of our number in the family has gone, my wife, Eliza C., who died July 4, 1888, but our friendship is so strongly cemented by years of steady growth as to remain unshaken; and I am now looking forward to a grand re-union, when the battle of life is over, in the 'better land' where there are no sorrows or bereavements, but joys for ever more.  For I believe the words in the Scriptures:  In His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures for evermore.  Surely God is good, God is love!  What I have already received I know, and what he has promised I have faith in:  My soul shall be satisfied when I awake with His likeness; peace on earth and joy in Heaven, whither our friends have gone.  Who would not do right and be a Christian, having the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come?

        That all prosperity and happiness may continue with my dear friend and brother-in-law, and his kindred, to the end of their lives, is the sincere wish of their

        True friend,

                F. C. WAID.