Son of Benjamin Jennings and Susannah Conrad (Brown) Tingley. Married Nancy Walker in September of 1836 on the Walker Plantation in Lewis County, Kentucky.

*****Death of George B. Tingley*****
George B. Tingley, United States Register for the San Francisco Land District, died of apoplexy at his residence in this city early on Sunday morning. He had risen and partly dressed himself when the fatal disease struck him. In falling he hit some article of furniture, which made a deep cut on his forehead.
Deceased was a native of Ohio, and was one of the pioneers of 1849. He represented the Sacramento district as Senator in the first session of the Legislature--that district then embracing the whole northern division of the State; but taking up his residence in Santa Clara County, he became the earnest advocate of the interests of that valley on the State Capitol question, and was kept in the Senate from that county up to the close of the session of 1852, when becoming more ambitious he received the nomination of the Whig party for Congress, only falling a little short of election. He afterwards removed to Nevada, where he practiced law, and after a time to this city. Mr. Tingley while here has made a marked reputation as a criminal lawyer. He was 48 years old.
In the District Courts the Judges have decided not to allow of motions for adjournment upon the decease of members of the bar, else they would no doubt have adjourned to-day in respect to the deceased.
Alexander Cambpell, in the Court of Sessions, moved for an adjournment in respect to the memory of the deceased, and in doing so, gave a sketch of his life.
District Attorney Porter in seconding the motion also spoke at length concerning the life and merits of deceased.
Judge Blake, in granting the motion, took occasion to say of the deceased that he was the most reliable member of the bar practicing in his court. The motion was granted, and the clerk ordered to spread the same upon the minutes.
In the Probate Court, Prosecuting Attorney Shepheard moved for an adjournment, and in doing so gave the following sketch of the deceased's life:
May it please your Honor:--Since the adjournment of this Court on Saturday afternoon, one of the members of the Bar of the city and county of San Francisco has been called from our midst to appear at the bar of Almighty God. The Honorable George B. Tingley, well known to us, has been suddenly called from amongst us to meet his Maker. Engaged in this Court before your Honor in the defense of his clients to a late hour on Saturday, his last appearance as a counselor and attorney was before this honorable Court. Coming to this State from the State of Indiana, he engaged in its earliest political movements, representing the county of Santa Clara. We see his industry, political skill and integrity displayed in the Criminal Practice Act of our State, which was shaped by his hand. The Act regarding crimes and punishments also received shape and form at his hands, and we are now working under those Acts, which have been but slightly amended since that time. Occupying a position of honor, and lately one of profit, he has endeared himself to his friends by his integrity of life and rectitude of conduct, so essential to the citizen of California. Lately honored by the General Government with a position of profit in this State, that of Register of Public Lands, he has, when not occupied in his official position, been engaged in the practice of his profession in this and the higher Courts of criminal jurisdiction. High toned and honorable in his practice and dealings with members of the profession, his loss will be severely felt both by us and the members of his family.
I am informed that he returned home on Saturday evening and went to bed; that on entering his room in the morning he was found on the floor dead, with all his clothing on except his coat, having died, it is supposed, suddenly in an apoplectic fit.
I deem it but fit, sir, that out of respect to the memory of the deceased, this Court, where he was so well known, should adjourn. I therefore offer the following:
Resolved, That out of respect to the memory of the Hon. George B. Tingley, this Court do now adjourn.
Counselor Platt, in seconding this motion, took occasion moreover to refer to the career of the deceased in the Mexican campaign.
Judge Cowles replied much as follows:
It is most fitting that the motion made by the Assistant District Attorney be granted by this Court. I have known Col. Tingley, personally, since 1853, and both before and since occupying the position I now do, and have always found him a man of strict honesty and integrity, of a kind and genial disposition, and assiduous in the discharge of his duties, both as a citizen and lawyer.
Since my assuming the duties of Judge of this court the deceased has been a constant and daily practitioner before me, and it is a source of gratification and pleasure to bear testimony of his abilities and gentlemanly deportment towards the Court as well as the faithful discharge of his duties to his clients. It was such as showed a proper appreciation of the profession of which he was an honored member and respect due to the Court.
No one was more earnest in appealing to the court in defense of his clients. Col. Tingley had a warm and generous heart, and when defending those whom he must have been satisfied were guilty, it seemed to me that his powers became paralyzed, and his heart would sink within him, but for those whom he believed innocent he left no stone unturned.
The unfortunate, when brought before this Court, and without the means of employing an attorney, found a friend and advocate in him.
On Saturday last we saw him in this Court in the discharge of his duties, and now today we are called upon to mourn his loss--having been taken away in the prime of manhood.
The motion is granted and this Court now stands adjourned.

Tuesday, August 5, 1862
San Francisco Bulletin - Volume: XIV Issue: 102 Page: 3