This community was shocked Monday evening when news of the death of George M Hart was passed from mouth to mouth. The death was so sudden and unexpected that people could at first hardly believe that the rumor was well founded.

Mr Hart had been down the street a number of times Monday afternoon. Having returned at last about supper time, he was sitting in his back parlor reading a magazine when Mrs Hart called him from the dining room door. Receiving no reply she approached nearer, still speaking his name. His attitude was so natural with the magazine still in his hands on his lap that she thought he was asleep until coming closer and examining him carefully. She was horrified to find his body seemingly lifeless, Hoping against hope she called Dr Hampshire, but before his arrival she was positively aassured that death had entered the home.

George M Hart was born on a farm in Indiana Co, Pa, Aug 3, 1855, the youngest of nine children. His father died when he was a lad of three or four years.

When about eighteen years of age he began clerking in a store and went into business for himself at the age of twenty-three, in the clothing and furnishing line.

In 1882 he came to Kansas and went into business with his old boyhood friend, S M Marshall, at Quenemo, the firm name being Marshall-Hart & Co. In 1894 he came to Overbrook and bought out a store owned by J M Eagon. He continued until his death in merchantile business on the spot then occupied though the building was enlarged two or three times growing into the large structure now known as the G M Hart & Co Store.

Mr Hart was married in March 1883 to Miss Alice Taylor, of Indiana, Pa. Two children were born, Porter, now of Los Angeles, Calif., and a daughter, who died in infancy and is buried in Quenemo. Mrs Hart died in March 1891.

His present wife was Mrs Melissa Beard, to whom he was united in March 1898.

Of his brothers and sisters two sisters survive him; Mrs Robert Nesbit, of Burlington, Kan., and a twin sister, Mrs Mary Dunlap, of Blairsville, Pa.

For twenty-seven years Mr Hart has been a foremost and influential citizen of Overbrook.He has stood for the higher interests of the town and has been rightly regarded as a public spirited citizen. His uprightness, his sense of justice and his kindness of heart have won, not only the esteem and admiration, but the true affection of a large circle of acquaintances.

He was a lifelong adherant to the church. In early years in Pennsylvania he was connected with the work of the United Presbyterian Church. In Quenemo he was an elder in Presbyterian Church. In Overbrook he has been identified with the Congregational church and has been interested and active in all of its work. He has been on its board of trustees during nearly all of time of residence here.

For the past twelve years he has been a director of the Kansas State Bank. During the first seven of which he was vice-President; becoming president five years ago on the death of the former president, S L Heberling.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 Friday at the home if the weather is suitable, otherwise at the Congregational church. Interment will be in the Quenemo cemetery.

May 12, 1921 Overbrook Paper