From the 1911 book Past and Present of Hardin County Iowa, page 960:

George G. Elerding

It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community and his influence as a potential factor in the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing their own interests and those of their fellow men and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make so much for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is George G. Elerding, the present popular postmaster and enterprising merchant at Lawn Hill, Hardin county, and it is eminently proper that a review of his interesting and varied career be accorded a place among the representative citizens of Pleasant township.

Mr. Elerding was born on the old home place in sect ion 27, Pleasant township, this county, in 1864, the son of William Elerding and wife, well known pioneer residents of this section of the county, having developed a good farm here amid primitive conditions.

The father of the subject, who was a native of Hanover, Germany, came to the United States in 1834. He lived at St. Louis, Missouri, for awhile, and also at LaSalle, Illinois. About 1854 he came to Hardin county, Iowa, and bought three hundred acres of land, of which he still owns one hundred acres. He is still well preserved, at the age of ninety-two years. His wife died in 1902.

George G. Elerding grew to maturity on the home farm, which he assisted in developing when he became of proper age, and there laid the foundation for a hardy manhood. During the winter months he attended the district schools, later attending the Iowa Western Normal School of Shanandra, Iowa, preparing himself for a teacher, which profession he followed in a very successful manner for some time. In order to defray his expenses in school he began working out when twenty years old. He taught both in Iowa and Minnesota and gave general satisfaction, but tiring of the close confinement of the school room and being seized by the wanderlust spirit, he decided to see the world, consequently joined the navy, in which he had a splendid career which resulted in much good to him, for he was sent to various parts of the civilized world, had occasion to study strange peoples and alien lands, and, being a keen observer, he laid up a storehouse of knowledge, thus gained first handed, and he is a most interesting talker of his travels and experiences. He first went to Brooklyn, New York, and worked in the navy yard six months, then was given sea duty, remaining in the navy seven years. He served during the Spanish-American war, and was in the great naval battle of Santiago, being on the "Brooklyn," Admiral Schley's flagship.

After his career in the navy Mr. Elerding returned to Iowa and engaged in the lumber, coal and grain business at Lawn Hill, where he built up a very satisfactory and extensive trade and soon had a good start in the business world and he has since remained here. He followed the lumber business until 1909, when he engaged in the general mercantile business and has since enjoyed a very liberal patronage from the people of this part of the county. He carries a large and carefully selected stock of goods and is always courteous and honest in his dealings with the public. On January 1, 1910, he was appointed postmaster at Lawn Hill and has given the utmost satisfaction to the department and the people in this connection.

Mr. Elerding was married on October 1, 1905, to Anabel Thompson, daughter of Matthew Thompson and wife, living three miles northwest of Lawn Hill in Pleasant township, where they have an excellent farm. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Elerding, George W. and Eugene R.

Mr. Elerding is a Democrat in politics and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the United Evangelical church. He takes a great deal of interest in public affairs and is especially prominent in school matters.

The Long Beach Sun
Long Beach, California
02 Oct 1940, Wed • Page 12