George W. Lovie

 

George W. Lovie. – The life of this gentleman illustrates, in a marked degree, that high type of American character that this country has developed.

 

Mr. Lovie was born in Maumee City, Ohio, March 4, 1848, and with his heroic mother came to California in 1850, to join his father, who had crossed the plains in 1849.  His boyhood was spent in the mining districts of Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties, where the self-reliance and hopefulness so characteristic of the time were strongly engrafted in his disposition.

 

In 1868 he married an accomplished woman, Maria F., daughter of Mr. O. S. Holbrook, a prominent mining man of Nevada county, and the union has proved an exceptionally happy one, his parents died soon after his marriage, and he then assumed the responsibility of educating and supporting his brother and sisters (five in number).  He engaged in the draying business in San Francisco, but, not taking kindly to city life, he in 1871 removed to San Mateo county and engaged in farming.  His ability as an enterprising citizen was at once recognized, and he soon became prominent in county affairs.  In 1884 he was elected Tax Collector of the county and moved to Redwood City, the county-seat.  Having served with great success in that office, he was elected in 1886 County Assessor, re-elected in 1890, and is at present discharging the duties of that office with signal ability.

 

While the subject of this sketch excels as a public officer, he is eminent in his private capacity in what is known as a “society man.”  He was Chief Engineer of the Redwood City fire department; P. G. of Ocean View Lodge.  No. 143, I. O. O. F.; P. O. P. Hope Encampment, No. 60; F. S. Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 48; and Grand Sentinel of the Grand  Encampment, I. O. O. F.; Chairman of the Committee on Credentials and Returns, Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias; and holds important official position in the Great Council of Improved Order of Red Men.  He has served on several important committees in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and during the past year he was the Noble Grand Arch of the United Ancient of Druids, visiting every grove of that order in the State and organizing two new groves.  At the close of his term in recognition two new groves.  At the close of his term, in recognition of his valuable services in behalf of the order, he was presented by the Grand Grove with a handsome gold watch.  He was Captain of the successful team in the K. of P. competition in rendering the work, which took place during the recent session of the Grand lodge in this city.

 

Mr. Lovie is now in the prime of life, and is a man of pleasing address.  The keystone of his character is strict integrity, personal honesty and geniality.  He is a representative specimen of that class to whom the people must look forward to give credit and tone to American politics.  He is a man of much magnetic influence, and is well calculated to be a leader.