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- The Gallia Times Thursday February 10, 1921
MEMOIR
Of Geo. W. Bing Written by Himself a Year Prior to His Death
Almost a year prior to his death, which occurred on Jan. 22, 1921, Mr. George W. Bing wrote an account of his life for publication after his death. In compliance with his request it is herewith presented:
Long Beach, Cal., Jan. 10, 1920
I was born Nov. 8, 1841. I spent the most of the early part of my life on a farm near Cheshire, going to the district school three months of the year. When about 16 years of age, the Rev. P. W. Perry, a Free Will Baptist minister, came into our midst and started a select school in what was known then as the Guthrie hall. I attended this school seven months the first year.
My father having met a disaster financially, said if I would work on the farm mornings and evenings he would pay my tuition and buy my books. This I gladly accepted and tried faithfully to perform my part of the contract.
The next year I went six months to the same principal at the same place. At the end of that school year I went before the Gallia County Board of Examiners for a certificate to teach school, which was granted for one year by A. C. Sears, Hon. Alex Vance and Judge
David Hebbard..
I taught my first school at what was known as Yale College in Addison township, getting for my services of three months $60 and board among the scholars. The treasurer of Addison township paid me in Wheeling, W. Va. money, which was at a discount of 15 per cent.
After that I financed my own schooling, going again to Rev. R. J. Poston a short time, then one term to Rev. P. W. Perry at Cheshire Academy. For eight years I then taught winter schools at Turkey Run, Scott Run, Old Kyger, Carlton and Faneuil Hall.
At the age of eighteen my thoughts were turned to a religious life. At meeting held by my former teachers, P. W. Perry and R. J. Poston at Old Kyger Baptist Church, I was converted. For two-years I led the life outside the church, but believing in union there is strength
two years later under the preaching of Rev. O. E. Baker, I was baptized and taken into full connection with the First Kyger F. W. Baptist Church.
In the year 1865, June 8, I was married to Samantha J. Coughenour by Rev. O. E. Baker. To this union were born six children -Lottie B. Clark, J. Ed. Bing, Anna J. Gee, Lora A. Carl, Dana G. Bing and Harry B. Bing.
After 43 years of happy married life my dear wife was taken and the family was broken.
I hve always tried to be loyal and true to my country. I served in the 16th Ohio Batallion Company A, National Guard, for two years. In 1864 Governor of Ohio issued an order to consolidate the different battalions into regiments. Our regiment was the 141st Ohio. Then
the governor asked us to volunteer into the U. S. Service and only one company in the state refused to enter service for 100 days. My company I served in was Company D.
I spent 73 years of my life on the Ohio river in Gallia County, Ohio. I came to California in 1915, and have been a resident of Long Beach ever since.
On June 15, 1915, I was united in marriage to Addie Ralston by Rev. James H. Lash, with whom I have lived a very pleasant life.
Geo. W. Bing
The remains of George W. Bing, who died at Long Beach, California, Jan. 22, were brought to Cheshire for burial. Brief services were held at Long Beach, conducted by Rev. J. H. Lash, formerly of Ohio, now of Hollywood, Calif. The G. A. R. of Long Beach performed an
impressive part of the service.
The final obsequies were held at the Baptist Church in Cheshire on
Wednesday Feb. 3rd. Rev. W. W. Crabtree of Green Camp, Ohio had
charge. He was assisted by Rev. Mr. Dickinson, pastor of the
church. The Masonic order of which Mr. Bing had long been a member,
took part in the services, both in the church and at the grave.
In compliance with a request that had been made by the deceased,
Judge R. J. Mauck made a brief address at the grave. The burial was
in charge of Undertaker DeMaine of Middleport. The flowers, many of
which were taken from his own yard at Long Beach, which accompanied
the casket, together with flowers here, were tokens of the love and
affection of his kindred and friends.
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West Virginia Pioneers
1842 - Yes, date unknown
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