George, Michael A.

Michael George, a widower, came to Douglas, Alaska with his four children, Mamie, Tom, Joe and Gus, in 1912. Michael owned half interest in George Meyers General Merchandising on Beach Road below St. Ann's Avenue and employed his children there as they grew up. Later he opened his own general merchandising store then purchased the Leader Department Store across the Channel in Juneau. In 1923, he and his second wife left Alaska and sold the department store to the three sons, who turned the business into George Brothers Exclusive Grocery Store. In 1947, brothers Tom and Joe George built the Salmon Creek Country Club, a popular dining and dancing location which was later destroyed by fire. Tom and Joe subdivided the downtown building and Joe and his wife, Thelma Turnblow George, opened George's Gift Shop which operated from from 1949 until 1974. Joe (Joseph) George served on the Juneau city council and as mayor from 1967 to 1969. He died in July 1975 at the age of 73. Tom (Thomas) George died March 31, 1992.