George M. Skiles (1852-1916) was the younger brother of W.W. Skiles and followed in his footsteps. George also went to Baldwin University, became attorney and partner with W.W. in 1878. The firm concentrated on victims of railroad accidents. After his brother’s death, son-in-law Thomas J. Green and son Roscoe C Skiles joined the firm.
George became involved on the boards of many local ventures, including the president of the Ohio Seamless Tube when it was rebuilt from 1909 to 1916 when he died, president of the Shelby Telephone Company, Shelby Electric Company, Shelby Water Company, Shelby Printing Company and vice president of Citizens Bank.
George was also a director of Mutual Plate Glass Company, director in the Autocall, and stockholder in Shelby Building & Loan company, Shelby Foundry, Shelby Hotel, Standard Manufacturing, and Shelby Land Improvement Company.
He was also president of the Shelby Cigar Company when it was formed in 1913, although the company didn’t last much beyond his death.
“For no fire has been kindled in Shelby, that [George] has not in some way helped to kindle it,” said Rev. E. M Page of Delaware, a longtime friend who spoke at George’s funeral.
The Tuby was closed all day for the funeral of their president. Schools, both public and parochial, were closed at noon. Businesses were closed during the funeral.
The Knights of Pythias in Shelby and Order of the Elks of Mansfield turned out more than 100 strong to honor their fellow member. More than 100 members of the Richland County Bar Association held a memorial service at the Masonic Temple after the funeral.
Wife: Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Samuel Clark
Children: Roscoe C. Skiles, Blanche Skiles, who married Thomas Green, Grace, who married H. Dale Kuhn, and Glenn Skiles.