NOBLE, George F.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 548-549

George F. NOBLE is a well-known contractor and builder of Kilbourn City 
[Columbia County], WI, of whose skill many examples are to be seen in this 
section of the state. Thoroughly reliable in all things, the quality of his 
work is a convincing test of his own personal worth and the same admirable 
trait is shown in the conscientious discharge of the duties of different 
positions of trust and responsibility to which he has been chosen in business 
and political life.

Mr. NOBLE was born in Bristol [Addison County], VT, 08 Aug 1818, a son of 
Roger and Lucy (FITCH) NOBLE, both of English descent. The father was born 
in Westfield [Hampden County], MA, and was a descendant of Thomas NOBLE, who 
came to this country in 1650. In early life Roger NOBLE followed the 
occupation of farming until meeting with an acccident, and then engaged in 
the manufacture of iron. In 1828 he moved to Dixboro [Washtenaw County], MI, 
where he died the following year. The mother then returned with her family 
to VT where she died in 1829.

Reared in his native state, our subject attended the Middlebury Academy, from 
which he was graduated. At the age of 15 he began working at the carpenter's 
trade at New Haven [Addison County], VT, where he remained 18 months and then 
went to Middlebury [Addison County, VT], where he continued to follow his 
trade for a number of years, in the meantime becoming a master mechanic. 
Subsequently he was similarly employed in Walworth County, WI, until 1850, 
when he went to CA during the gold excitement in that state, and engaged in 
mining for two years. He returned to Walworth County, WI, in the spring of 
1852 and resumed work at his trade. A skillful workman and an upright, 
reliable business man, he steadily prospered and gained in his worldly 
possessions. In 1855 he removed to Old Newport [was in Columbia County, WI; 
no longer exists], and in the fall of that year came to Kilbourn City, 
Columbia County, where he worked at his trade until 1861, wand then 
successfully engaged in dealing in farm produce and livestock for a time. In 
1873 he sold his warehouse to [p 549] what is now the firm of SMITH & 
CORNING, of Kilbourn, and again turned his attention to the carpenter's trade.

In Oct 1843 Mr. NOBLE was united in marriage with Miss Angline E. CORNWALL, 
who was born in Rochester [Monroe County], NY, 17 Dec 1818, a daughter of 
Richard CORNWALL, a soldier of the war of 1812. Her grandfather was one of 
the heroes of the Revolutionary war. To our subject and his wife were born 
three children: (1) Andrew E., born 21 Mar 1846, has for the past 25 years 
been engaged in the banking business in Des Moines [Polk County], IA. (2) 
Frank H., born 17 Oct 1848, is engaged in the real estate business in Seattle 
[King County], WA. (3) Cornelia M., born 13 Oct 1844, was married in 
Kilbourn [Columbia County, WI], 20 Jul 1870, to Captain Oliver H. SORRENSON, 
and resided in Portage [Columbia County, WI], where she died on 17 Dec 1875, 
while her husband died in LaCrosse [LaCrosse County], WI, 07 Mar 1882.

On coming to Kilbourn [Columbia County, WI] Mr. NOBLE found the village only 
patially surveyed. He bought lots 14, 15, and 16, block 46, on Superior 
Street, but has since sold lot 16 and a part of lot 15. He has made very 
substantial improvements upon his property and has a fine residence 
surrounded by beautiful grounds. He is a thorough business man, upright and 
honorable in all his dealings, and through his own well-directed efforts has 
gained a competence. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has always been a stanch Republican. 
He takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs, and has held 
the office of town treasurer and assessor; has been justice of the peace for 
30 years, and police justice in Kilbourn City for several terms.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly