History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/George W. Bemis
GEORGE W. BEMIS
GEORGE W. BEMIS was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, on the 13th of October 1826. His father removed with his family to Genesee County, New York, in 1837, where George, who was the only son, remained on his father's farm until the age of twenty-one. He received a good education and taught school for several years. In 1854 he came to Iowa, taking up his residence at Independence, Buchanan County, which became his permanent home. Mr. Bemis served several years as county surveyor. In 1859 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the House of the Eighth General Assembly, serving through the regular and extra sessions. He was for seven years in the postal service. In 1871 he was elected to the State Senate, serving four years. He was for many years Commissioner of the Hospital for the Insane at Independence of which he was treasurer. In 1876 he was elected State Treasurer on the Republican ticket and at the expiration of the term was reëlected, serving four years. The State has never had a more competent and faithful public official than George W. Bemis.