George A. Lenhart was one of the founders and promoters of the Farmers State Bank at Hazelton, of which he has been cashier since its organization in 1909. North Dakota claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Davenport on the 28th of June, 1882. His parents are Michael M. and Anna (Plath) Lenhart, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. The father was but four years of age when he accompanied his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Fountain City, Wisconsin, where he was reared and educated. He afterward took up the occupation of farming in that state and later came to North Dakota, purchasing land in Red River valley, near Fargo. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1910, when he retired from active business life and now he and his wife make their home in Bismarck. His rest is well deserved, as it is the fitting reward of persistent and earnest labor in former years.
George A. Lenhart acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of Cass county and afterward attended the State Normal School at Valley City. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two years, at the end of which time he engaged in the lumber business, to which he devoted five years, meeting with substantial success in that undertaking. In 1909 he removed to Hazelton, Emmons county, and organized the Farmers State Bank, of which he has since been cashier. The bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars and its deposits amount to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It has a surplus of eight thousand dollars and the business from the beginning has proven a growing and profitable one. The other officers are: A. P. Lenhart, of Bismarck, president; and A. E. Klabunde, vice president. The last named is proprietor of the largest mercantile establishment in his section of the state and also the owner of large landed holdings, while A. P. Lenhart is sole owner of the business conducted under the name of the Lenhart Drug Company of Bismarck. This bank has grown more rapidly than any other in the county. Its treatment toward its customers has been most liberal and in return they have given to the institution loyal support. The bank has made a specialty of taking care of the farmers' needs at all times of the year, regardless of money and crop conditions, and as a result has a large list of satisfied customers who have been doing business with the bank since its organization. The institution has been an important factor in the upbuilding of the territory that Hazelton serves. In addition to his Hazelton connections Mr. Lenhart is a director of the Security State Bank of Flasher and is its manager.
In April, 1903, Mr. Lenhart was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Haynes and to them have been born two children: Rachel, born July 19, 1907; and Alton, September 12, 1908. Mr. Lenhart exercises his right to franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is one of the active party workers, serving at the present time as chairman of the central committee. He has filled the office of clerk of Hazelton township and is now president of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. He stands loyally for all those forces which are an element in the progress and upbuilding of the community and does everything in his power to bring about the further improvement of his section of the state.