Church records give George’s birthdate as 12 July 1845. The date as given is that used in the family bible.

According to his obituary, George’s parents moved to Collingwood Township when he was six months old. In later years he recalled the time “when his parents had to carry their flour and other provisions on their backs all the way from Barrie.” There was no village at the time that they settled in the area of what is now Heathcote.

George was a member of the Orange Lodge, and was an honourary member of the Duncan Lodge, of which he was at one time a master.