Delamater, Honorable George Benjamin
was born at Whitehall, N. Y., January 14, 1821. In 1822 his parents removed with him to Crawford County, Penn.
He received a thorough and practical education, attending, among other schools, the academy at Waterford, Penn.
and Oberlin and Allegheny Colleges. He afterward studied law, and in 1847 was admitted to the bar. For about five
years he pursued the active practice of his profession. He then, however, became engrossed in business enterprises
and in a great measure withdrew from active practice. For a time he was employed in editing and publishing a newspaper
at Youngsville, Warren Co., Penn., and afterward engaged with good success in manufacturing and mercantile pursuits at
Townville, Penn. From 1860 to 1864 he was largely interested in oil developments along what is known as Oil Creek,
and by that means was enabled to add very largely to his wealth. In 1864 he removed to Meadville, Penn., where he
has since resided. During his entire life he has been a remarkable student and has accumulated large law and miscellaneous
libraries. He is a Trustee of Oberlin College, and Trustee and Vice-President of Allegheny College, to both of which he has
contributed largely, and has been for many years largely interested in banking. At the time of the organization of the First
National Bank of Meadville and until 1871, he was a Director therein, being the largest stockholder. At that time he sold his
interest. He has also been one of the largest share-holders in the Keystone National Bank, of Erie, Penn., since its organization;
not living in Erie he is not in the Board of Directors. He was also one of the organizers of the Erie Dime Saving and Loan Association.
Few business enterprises in Meadville have been started without his active and successful co-operation. He is Director in the gas and
water companies, in both of which he is heavily, interested. In 1875 he erected what is known as the Delamater Block, the finest business
building in Crawford County. The institution, however, to which he is most closely allied is the banking firm of Delamater & Co.,
of which he is senior member. It was organized in 1876, and is at present regarded as one of the solid institutions of the county.
Mr. Delamater has ever manifested a deep interest in political affairs; when but a boy, he knew intimately "old John Brown,” and while he"
deprecated the rashness of that old hero in some of his late undertakings, always sympathized with the Free Soil and Republican parties.
In 1848 he was a delegate to the District Convention which nominated John W. Howe, who was the first Free Soil member of Congress for Crawford,
Mercer and Venango Counties, and the same year was a delegate to the National Convention at Buffalo. In 1870 he was elected to the State Senate
by Erie and Crawford Counties. His record during his three years’ term shows faithful and able service. Since then he has declined political preferment.
He has ever been the open friend and promoter of religion and temperance. In his youth studious, industrious and circumspect; in middle life cautious,
modest and successful, and in late years enjoying the happy result, in the confidence and respect of all. Mr. Delamater married in 1847, Susan Cowle Town,
born in 1820, daughter of the late Noah Town, Esq., and who is in the eighth generation on the part of her paternal ancestors, being a descendant of William Town,
an Anglo-American, born in England about 1600, and who upon immigrating to America settled at Salem, Mass. Her father, Noah Town, was born at Granville, N. Y.,
November 11, 1786; married Susannah Martin, of French extraction, June 18, 1809. He was a son of Joseph Town, born February 22, 1761, and who married Hannah Colman,
a descendant of Elder Brewster, of "May Flower" notoriety. His nephew, Salem Town, author of various school books and other works, had a national reputation.
Joseph Town was the son of Israel Town, born February 12, 1727, who was a son of Israel Town, born November 18, 1684, who was a son of John Town, born April 2, 1658,
who was a son of Jacob Town, born in 1631, who was a son of the first settler, William Town, who was living in Salem, Mass., in 1640. The children of George B. Delamater
are: George Wallace, born March 31. 1849; Thomas Albert, born December 7, 1850; Susan Adelaide, born March 27, 1859, and Victor Morris, born November 1, 1860.
History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania: containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools,
churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, page 726-728.
