Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
PALMER, George W - Unadilla
George W. PALMER, youngest son of Thomas Palmer and
Mary SPENCER his wife, was born April 4, 1818, in Hillsdale,
Columbia Co., N.Y. His grandfather, Thomas Palmer, Sr., was
born in 1738. George W. attended the common schools, and
succeeded in acquiring an education that well fitted him for his
subsequent successful business career.
He was raised a farmer; but two years after marriage embarked
in the mercantile business, and also purchased a grist- and flouring-
mill which he operated in partnership with C. COON. He remained
in business here with several partners, and subsequently located at
Kinderhook, still engaged in mercantile business. He afterwards
came to Otsego county and purchased the property now owned by
Palmer & JOHNSTON, which, like the other mill property, was in
a bad condition at the time of his purchase. After expending more
in repairs than the original cost, he succeeded in building a successful
business. Five years later, Lorenzo HUMPHREY sold his interest
to Thomas J. WILEY, Peter HUMPHREY, and David M. JOHNSTON.
Mr. Wiley subsequently retired from the partnership, and about
two years since Mr. Palmer purchased the interest of Peter Humphrey;
since which time the business has been conducted by Palmer &
Johnston. Their spoke-factory and saw-mill were destroyed by fire
in February, 1873, but have since been rebuilt. Their property is
now in a splendid condition. A fine double-paged view, showing
the residences of Messrs. Palmer and Johnston, the paper-mill, and
their other manufactories, may be seen among the illustrations of
this town.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, page 348