From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 516-517

George K. Wilder was born in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1828, a son of William and Mary (Breed) Wilder, natives of Connecticut and New Hampshire, who came to Steuben County, Ind., in 1836 and located on land now owned by their son Orlando. In early life George K. attended school in the winter and assisted in the work on the farm in the summer. When twenty-one years of age he went to California, and was ninety days in making the journey from the bluffs of the Missouri to Hangtown, Cal. He remained six years, working in the mines the first eighteen months and the rest of the time engaged in farming. He then returned to Indiana and bought a farm two miles northeast of Orland. In 1862 he enlisted in the Ninth Michigan Infantry, and participated in all the varied fortunes of the regiment till it reached Murfreesboro, when he was discharged on account of ill health. His regiment was soon after captured. As soon as he regained his health he turned his attention to improving and cultivating his farm. In 1877 he retired from the active life of an agriculturist and purchased property in Orland where he has since lived, enjoying the fruits of many years of toil and privation. Mr. Wilder was married in 1862 to Miss Hattie N. Luce, the only daughter of Walter and Mary (Gray) Luce. They have a family of eight children.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com