Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
George L. Almond Biography

George L. Almond, well known as a dealer of farm implements at Clear Lake and a prominent and influential citizen there, having served as mayor from 1910 until 1914, was born in Argyle. Scotland, May 9, 1848, a son of John and Anna Almond, who were likewise natives of the land of hills and heather. The father was a railway master mechanic and when our subject was a small] child the family moved to England, where the father passed away. The mother came to the United States in 1868, settling in Wisconsin, where her remaining days were passed. 

George L. Almond accompanied his mother to the new world, but remained for a year in Newark, New Jersey, where he was engineer in the city waterworks. In 1869 he removed to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he learned the trade of shoemaking and followed it until 1878, when he came to South Dakota, settling at Gary, Deuel county, where he homesteaded a claim on section 28, township 116, range 48. For five years he cultivated the place and he still owns that property, but on the expiration of that period he turned his attention to harness making in Gary, in which business he engaged until 1890, when he was appointed clerk of the courts of Deuel county. That he made a most excellent record in that position is indicated in the fact that he filled the office by election, when the law was changed, through eighteen years and retired from the office as he had entered it—with the confidence and goodwill of all concerned. He then turned his attention to his present business, forming a partnership with Henry Hagene. He has since dealt in farm implements and his trade extends over a wide territory. Moreover, with the settlement of the county his business has increased year by year and his patronage is now of gratifying proportions. 

On the 20th of August, 1873, Mr. Almond was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna J. Hagene of Prairie du Chien and they became the parents of two children but have lost both. The son, Fred C., was a graduate of the college at Brookings, South Dakota, and of the University of Wisconsin and at the time of his death, which occurred when he was twenty eight years of age, was filling the position of engineer with the North Dakota Independent Telephone Company. The daughter, Edith Elizabeth, died at the age of three years. 

In his political views Mr. Almond has always been a stalwart republican since becoming a naturalized citizen and has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For one term he served as a member of the city council at Clear Lake and in 1910 was elected mayor, in which office be made such a creditable record during the first term that he was reelected for a second term of two years. His administration was businesslike and progressive and resulted in the introduction of various needed reforms and improvements. Mr. Almond belongs to the Odd Fellows society and both he and his wife hold membership with the Congregational church. His life has been well spent and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has worked his way steadily upward until he is now at the head of a substantial business, while the methods which he has followed in all of his business connections and in public life have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.