Steele - George K (Gen) - CW - Putnam

STEELE, Gen. George K., was the son of Samuel and Mary Steele and was born near Springfield, Ohio  November 25, 1808.  At an early age he moved with his parents to Greene County, Ohio  and in 1821 came to Parke County, Indiana, settling near where Portland Mills now stands.  Here he assisted his father and brothers in clearing a farm till 1825.  After this, for a while, he taught school and from this time to 1828 was clerk in the prosperous store of Col. Moses ROBBINS in Rossville. During this time he made a trip each spring to New Orleans in charge of flatboats.  In 1829 he established a store at Mansfield, continuing in this business entirely, except when engaged in public business, until 1838 , when he became owner of the Mansfield Mills, which he ran in connection with his tore till 1846.  He then disposed of his property and moved to Rockville.  In 1835, Gen. Steele was chosen to represent Parke Co. In the state legislature, and reelected in 1836.  After this he served many terms in the state legislature and state senate.  He was a friend of education, agriculture, and all benevolent institutions.  He voted for JACKSON and upon the birth of the Whig party became one of its adherents and thus remained until the organization of the Republican Party, when he joined it.  He was a delegate to each national republican convention.  He was influential in the nomination of Abraham LINCOLN in 1860.  He was a great admirer of Gen. GRANT and Gov. OP MORTON; the latter was his very intimate friend.  When Gen. Steele moved to Rockville in 1846 he engaged in mercantile pursuits for 3 years.  He then assisted in the establishment of the Parke Co. Bank of which he was chosen pres. And annually reelected to this position till 1863, when this bank was merged into the First National Bank of Rockville. He was again chosen as its president and held the position until 1871 when he declined to hold it longer. He took an active interest in all the railroads in the county, especially the present road running through Rockville, which was completed by his assistance, and he was chosen superintendent of the Rockville division of the road.  At the outbreak of the war, in 1861, Gen. Steele, being a member of the senate, took a decided stand for the Union.  He offered resolutions against neutrality, which were sent to the Pres. Of the US and governors of all the states. A motion was made in the senate to print 2,000 copies of Gov. Morton's first message and 2,000 copies of Washington's farewell address.  Gen. Steele moved to amend the motion by adding 2,000 copies of Jackson's proclamation on nullification.  The amendment was adopted.  7 rep. And 6 senators were appointed to meet Lincoln at the state line and welcome him to Indiana.  Gen. Steele was chosen pres. Of the committee, and to make the address of welcome.  His speech was pointed, eloquent and appropriate.  At the commencement of the war, Gen. Steele was offered the command of a regiment, but, owing to ill health and severe affliction in his family, was compelled to decline the honor.  In the fall of 1861 he served with the regiment for a time, but on account of ill health, resigned the commission and returned home.  Soon after Gov. Morton appointed him as a member of his staff, with the commission of colonel, which he held till the close of the war.  Gen. Steele was a man of wide experience, extensive information, untiring energy, active public spirit and patriotic devotion to his country.  He became wealthy and did, perhaps, more than any other man of his day for Parke Co.  He died in Terre Haute May 7, 1879 where he resided for 3 years.