William R. George was born at West Dryden, New York, June 4, 1866.
He was educated in the common schools. His parents came to New York
city in 1880, where he later engaged in business. Becoming interested
in poor boys and girls, he, during the seasons of 1890 to 1894, took
two hundred of them to the country for from two weeks to a month to
spend a portion of their school vacations with him. Impressed with
the large number of children endeavoring to live by charity, he
conceived, in 1894, the plan of requiring payment in labor for every
favor the youngsters received, and, in addition, instituted a system
of self-government. This was the beginning of a junior republic, which
was put into practical operation in 1895 and has continued successfully
ever since. He was married November 14, 1896, to Esther B. George, of
New York. To Mr. George belongs the credit of inaugurating a novel and
praiseworthy method of fostering good citizenship.