The subject of this sketch was born in 1820, at Plainfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, where he lived till he was sixteen years old.
In 1836, his father, James Willard, believing that the West offered a better field for the farming interest, removed from New Hampshire with his family to Lake County, Ohio, where, with the assistance of his sons, he engaged largely in farming. Being an intelligent man from the old New England school, he early inculcated in the minds of his children that love for industry, economy, and integrity, which is still a characteristic of New England training, and which qualities.
Mr. George Willard inherited to a marked degree, his career and conduct being guided and governed by them in every relation in life. From this time for a period of thirteen years, he followed farming, and then removed to Madison, Lake County, Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising, which business he carried on successfully for seven years.
In 1855, at the solicitation of his brother, J. O. Willard, he removed to Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio. His brother died soon after, and he succeeded him in his position of cashier of the Iron Bank of Ironton, which office he occupied until the bank was reorganized, or merged into the First National Bank of Ironton, soon after which he was elected President, which position he still holds.
Up to this time, Mr. George Willard had no considerable interest” in the iron business but devoted himself wholly and strictly to his business as a banker, which proved to be successful under his administration. The iron interest being a prominent one, he was led to give it his attention; and in 1856, embarked on the iron business by purchasing an interest in Clinton furnace, Vinton County, Ohio, and followed these interests by assisting and taking an active part in organizing the Belfont Iron Works, and in which he is largely interested, having been a Director from the first.
In 1872, Mr. George Willard, with others, believed that the great resources of this iron region were not fully developed, and, after giving the subject much thought and attention, conceived the idea of organizing a new furnace company for the better prosecution of the manufacture of pig iron. His idea embraced the consolidation of two furnaces already built (Etna and Vesuvius) and the construction of plans of furnaces upon an enlarged and improved scale.
In January 1873, the company was organized and incorporated under the name of the “Etna Iron Works,” with a capital of a million dollars, Mr. Willard being elected President. The new furnaces, to the building of which he devoted his whole time and attention, are constructed upon European models and are almost an experiment in this country.
Amid all the political agitation this country has passed through, Mr. George Willard was never allured from his business to take part in factional disputes but has devoted himself most unremittingly to business — its extensive operations requiring all his time and a most watchful attention. He is still comparatively young and in the prime of physical vigor and mature experience.
SOURCE: Ohio, the future great state, her manufacturers, and a history of her commercial cities, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Publication date 1875
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