Rash's Surname Index
Notes for George Burgess CADWALLADER
COL. GEORGE B. CADWALLADER, now living retired in the borough of Sunbury, was long prominent in the affairs of that community, in his earlier years in various business relations, for a number of years
before his retirement as superintendent of the Sunbury Water Company. and for several years in his official capacity of chief burgess. He attained the rank of colonel by brevet during the Civil war, entering
the Union service as first lieutenant and rising by merit.
Colonel Cadwallader is a native of Bucks county, Pa., born Oct. 20, 1830, near Doylestown. His grandfather lived and died in that county. Dr. Peter Cadwallader, his father, was also born there, died in 1832 at Doylestown, where he was engaged in the practice of the medical profession, and is buried there, in Buckingham township. He married Hannah M. Magill, like himself a native of Bucks county, and like him, also, of Scottish ancestry. She lived to the age of eighty. Dr. Peter Cadwallader and his wife had the following children: Peter died in infancy; John, who was a miller and a well known man in this section, lived in Montour county, but died in Sunbury and is buried in the old cemetery (he never married; he was a well known member of the Masonic fraternity here, belonging to Maclay Lodge and to the Knights Templars); George B. is mentioned below; Mary died young.
George B. Cadwallader spent his boyhood at his native place and there received his early education. He subsequently attended the academy at Danville, Pa., and having decided to become a druggist went to Philadelphia to take the course at the College of Pharmacy there. Having completed his preparation he established himself in the drug business at Danville, thence in 1857 removing to Shamokin, Northumberland county where he carried on business as a druggist until the outbreak of the Civil war. In April, 1861, he entered the Union army, and for over five years was engaged in the service of his country, his army record being a notable one. Becoming first lieutenant of Company A, 8th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, he served three months, in August, 1861, re-entering the service with the same rank in Company K, 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
Promotions came rapidly. On Sept. 17, 1861, he became first lieutenant and quartermaster of his regiment serving thus until July, 1863, when he was advanced to captain and assistant quartermaster, U. S. A. In March, 1865, he was brevetted major and lieutenant colonel, and subsequently, for meritorious service throughout the war, was brevetted colonel, with which rank he was mustered out of the service, at Richmond, Va., Sept. 10, 1866. He served as quartermaster of Williams's Brigade, Army of Virginia, of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps, Army of Virginia, and of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps, Army of the Potomac; as post quartermaster at Dechant, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga., was in charge of transportation during Sherman's memorable march; in charge of national cemeteries at Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) and Hollywood; in charge of quartermasters depots at Cleveland, Ohio, and Richmond, Virginia.
In 1867, soon after the close of his army service, Colonel Cadwallader came to Sunbury, where he has since made his home. He and his brother John embarked in the flour and feed business under the firm name of John Cadwallader & Co., and prospered from the start, operating three mills at different points in Northumberland county. The business developed to large and profitable proportions. In 1869 Colonel Cadwallader purchased a drug store in Sunbury from Dr. John G. Markle & Co., and continued to carry it on until 1884, at which time he became general superintendent of the Sunbury Nail, Bar and Guide Iron Company, manufacturers of considerable importance to this region. He retained
that position until 1891, resigning to take the position of superintendent with the Sunbury Water Company, with which he was connected in such capacity until his resignation, over ten years ago.
Though he has relinquished his more active responsibilities he is still associated with local interests as member of the official board of the Sunbury Safe Deposit & Trust Company, of which he was one of the original directors, having been a leading spirit in its organization. He is also president of the Sunbury Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he was a founder and the first vice president.
The Colonel has always held public-spirited ideas regarding the duties of citizens to protect the interests of the community, and in his position as an influential business man has been able to accomplish much of benefit to his fellow citizens. They have recognized his efforts by electing him to responsible public office, and his popularity has won him the support of the best class of citizens. In 1887 he was elected chief burgess, in which office he served two terms, having been re-elected in 1889. In other respects he has also been a leader. For several years he was foreman of No. 1 Fire Company. He was first commander of the G.A.R. post at Sunbury, is a prominent member of the Loyal Legion, and also holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 22, F. & A.M., and Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R.A.M. He is a Republican in political sentiment.
In 1870 Colonel Cadwallader married Mrs. Georgiana (Markle) Wolverton, who died May 9, 1885. Two daughters were born to this union:
Mary C., who is unmarried and at home with her father; and Anna, who married Simon P. Wolverton Jr., son of S. P. Wolverton, and resides a Sunbury. Mrs. Cadwallader's mother was Robins, a member of the first family to settle at Sunbury. The site of the Colonel's beautiful home, which he erected in 1883 at the corner of Fifth and Market streets, was taken up by the Robinses, and the property is one of the most attractive residences in Sunbury. The General has been active in building up the borough, having
erected several residences.
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Return to The Pennocks of Primitive Hall website.
The information in this database may contain errors. If you find any questionable data, or if you have something to add my findings, please feel free to e-mail me by clicking on the "E-MAIL" link above. Thank you!
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.21 ©2009 on 07 July 2020