George family.

William Reuben George, a social welfare leader, founded the George Junior Republic in 1895 in Freeville, New York as a means of moving boys and girls from the slums into a rural environment. The Junior Republic, a community reflecting the principles of youthful self-government, was founded upon the maxim "Nothing Without Labor." With assistance from his wife Esther Ide Brewster, George developed a community consisting of a farm, blacksmith and carpentry shops, laundry, bakery, general store, jail, and other elements of the larger society which were intended to complement citizens' academic endeavors. By 1898, the first of several institutions based on the Republic's principles was founded in Redington, Pa., and by 1908, the National Association of Junior Republics was formed with George as Executive National Director.

During the 1920s, George's attention turned toward combating socialism, and he formed the Phalanx, or League for the Promotion of Civic and Economic Responsibility, an organization for young people opposed to the spread of socialist ideas. He also began lecturing against the proposed child labor amendment during this period, since it conflicted with his method of training children and youths through education and labor.

Although William George died in 1936, the family maintained its involvement with the Republic through the activities of George's daughters and their husbands, including Edith George Freeborn and Malcolm Freeborn, who served as Director of Education and Principal of the Republic high school from 1946-64.

From the description of William R. George family papers, 1750-1989. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 63938838