Notes:
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES [pages 641-642]
George E. Steele was born in Ashland Cnnnty. Oliio., July 13, 1860,
and was about eighteen months old when in September 1861 his parents
removed to Adams County. He grew up here and received his early edu-
cation in the local schools, and under his brother Albert learned the
butcher's trade. Albert Steele was for about seven years proprietor of
one of the leading meat establishments of Decatur. From 1886 to 1892
George Steele was in Colorado, at Denver and various other cities, fol-
lowing his trade as butcher. He returned to Decatur in 1892, and the
following year became associated with his brother in business.
On coming to Adams County his parents, Levi and Charlotte (Barkley)
Steele, settled in Union Township. His parents were both born in
Pennsylvania and were quite young when their respective families
moved to Ashland Co., OH, where they grew up and married. Levi
Steele served an apprenticeship at the tanner's trade with I\Iartin Bender.
He remained in Mr. Bender's employ for several years, and on coming to
Adams County in 1861 he conducted the tannery of his relative, John
Bender, while the latter was serving as a Union soldier. This tannery
was noted for its fine leather products, and was conducted according to
the old established principles governing the business. After the war
Levi Steele took up farming, and continued a resident of Union Town-
ship until his death about 1884, when sixty-five years of age. His widow
died in 1894 at the age of seventy. They were very active members of
the Church of God, and a house of worship was built on their farm and
a cemetery laid out there. They were among the leaders of the church
and liberal supporters to its cause. Levi Steele was a republican in
politics and all his sons followed him in political action. There was a
large family, eight of whom grew up, all of them married and three sons
and one daughter, Mrs. Ellen Mumma, are still living.
Mr. George E. Steele married at Georgetown, Illinois, Miss Golda
McKinnie. She was born in Howard Co., IN, about 1872, and
was reared there. Her parents, William and ]\Iahala (Chandler) Mc-
Kinnie, are still living at Russiaville in Howard County and are now pa
sixty-five years of age, but retain a great deal of their physical and mental
vitality. Th?y are active members of the Christian Church and her father
is now an ardent prohibitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one son, Irwin
W., aged eleven years, and a student in the public schools of Decatu
is also one of the talented performers in the Decatur Brass Band. ilrs.
Steele and son are members of the Christian Church. Politically Mr.
Steele is a republican. In the way of public service he was superintendent
of the local waterworks for two years.
