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BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA

obtrusive in demeanor, and has always aimed to be useful to the full extent of his opportunities. DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON WAGONER, a prominent physician and surgeon, and the present mayor of the city of Johnstown, is a son of George and Mary L. (Henrie) Wagoner, and was born February 22, 1856, in Pittsburg [sic], Pennsylvania.      The paternal great-grandfather of Dr. Wagoner was George Wagoner, formerly written Von Wagner, a native of the province of Wurtemburg, Germany. He was a man of fine education, and a preacher of independent thought and action. Becoming dissatisfied with the dogmas and doctrines of the established church he dissented therefrom, and because of his strictures upon the same, was thrown into prison, which incarceration resulted in his death.      His son, George Wagoner, grandfather, desiring to escape the persecutions and secure the blessings of the greater religious liberty of the United States, secured passage to this country by selling his time to the transportation company that conveyed him to these shores. He was placed with a Philadelphia Quaker, with whom he remained until his pledged obligations were discharged. While in this employ he had good advantages for securing an education, and improved his opportunities, so that when he emigrated to the western part of the State his mental qualifications were superior to those of most of the young men with whom he was thrown in contact. He located in Madison, Westmoreland county, where he was soon employed as a teacher during the winter months, and worked at the pottery trade when not thus engaged. Having inherited a deep religious zeal, he soon

began to figure prominently in the religious affairs of the community. He was ordained as a minister in the United Brethren church, and for many years labored earnestly and zealously for the cause of Christianity. He was a man of strong individuality, and possessed considerable literary ability; and as one of the pioneer anti slavery men, did much by his eloquence and his trenchant pen to mould public opinion on that subject in his community. He was a thinker as well as a writer, and as early as 1835 wrote a book entitled "A Plan for Abolishing War," which embodies many of the principles and plans suggested by the "Peace Commission" in its sessions at Washington, over half a century afterwards. In about 1850 he resolved to make the State of Iowa his future home, and died while en route to that State.      Rev. George Wagoner, father of Dr. G. W. Wagoner, was one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens of Johnstown. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, he received a country-school education and careful instruction from his father. At twenty years of age George was licensed to preach in the United Brethren church. He gave the best years of his manhood to the church, serving it in every capacity to the close of his life. He was the oldest minister in the length of service in the Allegheny conference. In 1850 he located at Johnstown; his occupation required frequent movings, but he always returned to the home of his choice, living there continuously since 1869. Intense application to ministerial work impaired his health, and he was forced to desist from preaching in 1860. Studying dentistry, he practiced his profession, in addition to performing much clerical work, and looking after a mission church in Kernville. Concerning the plan upon which the United

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