George W. Polk, an honored and respected man of Pleasant Township, was born in Nelson County, Ky., January 7, 1816, the son of James and Nancy Polk, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and was the son of Edmund Polk, and the latter of whom emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, when his son, James Polk, was but six years old. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native county. At seventeen years of age he went to Taylorsville, Spencer Co., Ky., and there served an apprenticeship of two years, learning the cabinet-maker’s trade. He then spent a short time working at his trade in Owensborough, Daviess Co., Ky., after which, in November, 1835, he crossed the river to the State of Indiana, and engaged in the cabinet business for himself at Evansville. While there, he was married, August 3, 1837, to Mary Embree. She was born in the State of Illinois, June 3, 1820, and was the daughter of John and Sallie (Moseley) Embree. In July, 1839, Mr. Polk removed from Evansville to Princeton, Gibson County, where he conducted a cabinet shop until 1850. In that year he, in connection with two other men, built a saw-mill on Marsh Creek, near Princeton, to which Mr. Polk gave his attention some two or three years. He then purchased a farm in that vicinity, upon which he resided until March, 1861, when he came to Johnson County, and settled on a farm just southeast of the town of Greenwood, where he has resided ever since. Since then he has given his attention to the management of his farm. He has, during a part of the time, been connected with the large canning establishment at Greenwood, of which his son, J. T. Polk, is proprietor. His farm is a large and beautiful one, containing 100 acres four-fifths of which are in cultivation. It contains two handsome residences, one of which is occupied by his son, J. T. Polk. The marriage of Mr. Polk resulted in the birth of nine children: William F., Frances, Elizabeth R., James T., Alice, Florence, Perry E., Minnie M., and a son that died in infancy, unnamed. Of those named, Elizabeth R., Alice and Minnie M., are also deceased. The wife of Mr. Polk died November 10, 1886. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church. When he began life for himself his only capital was willing hands and a mental capacity to direct them with prudence. By leading an industrious and economical life he has accumulated considerable property.