George Newton Angus

1842–1918
Hometown: Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York

Before the Civil War, Angus was working for Andrus, McCain, & Co, paper manufacturers, printers, and book binders. His father, Charles, born in Scotland, worked in the trade, too. He was a foreman for the bindery for a number of years but died when George was three years old.

Angus’ mother, a widow at age 23, relied heavily on the First Presbyterian Church, where the families of Civil War Marine Will Johnson and John K. Murdoch also attended. It was the church that she and husband Charles were married when she was 18, although she would not become a member until 1853.

Angus’ mother, Caroline Monell Angus, remained in Ithaca and George grew up knowing the prominent families there, including Ben Johnson, Alexander Murdock, and Ezra Cornell, who made millions in the telegraphy industry and, after the war, established Cornell University after the war.

In 1870 Caroline is found living next door to Cornell.

George Angus, aged 75 years, died at the City Hospital this morning at 12:30 o'clock. The funeral will be held on Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock at the Gilbert undertaking rooms, the Rev. John Richards, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating.

The deceased was a resident of this vicinity all his life but had lived in this city for but a year past. He was a veteran of the Civil War and an esteemed citizen. No near relatives survive. (Ithaca Daily News; Ithaca, NY. Monday, April 8, 1918, page 5.)