Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County IL, 1878

George Randolph DYER, retired; Joliet; was born in Rutland Co., Vt., June 13, 1813; 
his father, Daniel DYER; had a State reputation as a sheep raiser and substantial 
farmer; he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war; after the close of the war he was 
commissioned Major in the Massachusetts State Militia, and his commission, signed by 
Gov. John HANCOCK himself, is now in the possession of his son George R.; the venerable 
and well-known Dr. Charles V. DYER, of Chicago, was his brother; his mother was a Miss 
OLIN, of the popular Vermont family of that name. Capt. DYER received an academic 
education in West Rutland, Academy, and at the age of 21, started West, and drove 
from Clarendon, Vt., to Chicago, IL, alone; he resided in Chicago and Milwaukee till 
1841; during this time, he helped organize the Territory of Wisconsin; in 1838, he 
assisted in surveying the Fox River, with a view to use the same as a feeder for the 
Illinois Canal; in 1841, be came to Will Co. and engaged in farming and stock-raising; 
in his early life in Will Co. he was noted far and wide for his remarkable energy and 
success in life; in 1856, he was elected Sheriff of the county, and after his term of 
office expired he returned to his farm, where he resided till the breaking-out of the 
war in 1861; when the first gun was fired, true to the blood of his patriotic ancestors, 
he, with his two sons, went into the war for the Union; his oldest son was commissioned 
Captain when but 17, and served through many a well-fought battle; he died Nov. 13, 1863, 
from disease contracted in the Southern swamps. During the last thirty-five years Will Co. 
has known Capt. DYER as a citizen of note, not a little eccentric, witty, jolly as a 
companion, and satirical in the reproving of that which had not sense to recommend it. 
As a defender of the rights of man, he has always been distinguished, and he considered 
it no disgrace to be called an Abolitionist; he joined hands with them in bringing this 
country to be what it is today. In bold activity and uncompromising devotion, Capt. George 
R. DYER was the undisputed Pioneer in Will Co. of that enthusiastic movement, as it was 
called by his friends, and fanatical movement, as it was called by his enemies, which 
ultimately struck the shackles from the American slave. He was married Jan. 8, 1841, to 
Miss Elizabeth H. KIMBALL, of Elgin, a lady of fine natural endowments and graceful manners, 
whose excellent sense, fine culture and domestic accomplishments eminently fitted her for a 
helpmate for a young man with a full head and an empty pocket; the matured woman has more 
than fulfilled the fair promise of the young bride; six children have been born to them, 
four of whom still survive - Belle R., Daniel B., Lizzie L. and Ida May (now Mrs. A. A. 
WHITING). George D. died in 1863, and Susie Olin (Mrs. R. SCHERMERHORN) died in 1872.


Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.