George W. Dyer

#31 & 32 Judge George Whitefield Dyer (1839-1923) 1899-1900

George Whitefield Dyer, son of Calvin Dyer and Elizabeth Sherwood, was born August 20, 1839 in Jefferson, Schoharie County, New York. He attended the public schools until he was seventeen at which time he entered the New York Conference Seminary at Charlotteville, Schoharie County, New York. He completed his education at the Hudson River Institute in Columbia County, New York.

In October of 1861, he entered the law offices of Abraham Becker in Otsego County, New York and on May 14, 1863, he was admitted to the bar in the State of New York. For two years he partnered with Stephen L Mayhem in a law practice in North Blenheim in Schoharie County.

On July 8, 1865 he married Emma Roxy Parslow, daughter of Henry Parslow and Sophina Keyser in North Blenheim, Schoharie County. Mr. Dyer opened his own practice in Richmondville, in that same county, which he continued until November of 1875 when he removed to Story County, Iowa.

George Dyer was admitted to the Story County bar on December 11, 1875. His marriage to Emma Parslow had failed and he obtained a divorce in Story County courts on October 12, 1877. He served a term as City Recorder from 1877 to 1878 and in November, 1877 he formed a partnership known as Dyer & Fitchpatrick which lasted until 1885. On December 12, 1878 he was admitted to practice before the Iowa Supreme Court.

On September 16, 1883 he married Martha A. Kellogg, daughter of Nevada pioneers Dr. Nathan Alonzo Kellogg and Hannah D. Martin in Nevada, Story County, Iowa. He served as Nevada City Attorney for several years and in November 1886 he was elected as Story County Attorney in which capacity he served from 1887 to 1890.

He was elected mayor of Nevada for two terms, from 1899 to 1900 as well as two terms on city council from 1905 to 1906.

George Dyer was elected as an Iowa District Court Judge in 11th Judicial District to fill the vacancy of Judge W. S. Kenyon who resigned in the summer of 1902. He served on the bench from 1902 to 1917.

Judge George W. Dyer died on October 12, 1923 in Nevada, Iowa at what is now known as the Dyer-Dowell house at 922 Fifth Street. He was survived by his wife, three daughters and a son.