GEORGE I. AVERILL, Avon, New York.
The subject of this sketch was born in Avon, New York, March 30, 1867, and is the son of Minard Averill, a farmer of Geneseo, Livingston County, New York. Mr. Averill studied in both the public schools and the State Normal School at Geneseo, leaving the latter institution when he was 16 years of age. He then secured a position in a grain warehouse where he worked for three years. In August, 1886, he secured a position as brakeman on the Erie, and for the next two years ran on the Rochester division. In November, 1888, he advanced to fireman, and fired on freight and passenger trains on the Rochester division until July, 1892, when he was advanced to engineer. For the past eight years he has been running extra both in the freight and passenger service, and has fully demonstrated his ability to hold the position to which he has been promoted.

On April 22, 1890, Mr. Averill was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Galbraith, daughter of James Galbraith, a farmer of Geneseo, New York. They have one child, Howard, aged 8 years, who is attending public school. Mr. Averill is a member of Division 15, B. of L. E., and Lodge 153, K.0.T.M. of Avon. Mr. and Mrs. Averill are members of the Methodist Church, and are quite active in the social and charitable affairs of that denomination.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the January, 1920 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
George I. Averill, one of the best. known employes on the Rochester division of the Erie railroad, died recently at the family residence, Mt. Morris, N.Y.

Mr. Averill had been in poor health for a number of months past, although he remained at his work as motorman on the Erie electric line until several weeks ago, when he was obliged to give up work. His condition grew worse so rapidly that an operation for mastoiditis was performed, but he failed to rally.

Mr. Averill was born in Avon, N.Y., fifty-two years ago, and most of his life had been spent in that locality. He spent the past few years in Mt. Morris. He attended the Geneseo Normal school until 16 years of age, and in 1886 accepted a position as brakeman on the Erie railroad. Gradually he was promoted, until in 1892 he became an engineer, which position he held up to the time of his death.

His genial personality won for him the admiration of all who knew him. He was an upright and respected citizen. Mr. Averill was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mt. Morris, Avon Springs Lodge, F. and A. M.; Mt. Morris Chapter No. 137, R. A. M.; Ismalia Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, Buffalo; Genesee Valley Lodge, 820, B. of F. and L. E., and Lodge No. 153. K.O.T.M.

He is survived by his widow, one son, Howard, his parents, four sisters and one brother, Dr. Clarence Averill, of Webster.