GEORGE W. GUTRIDGE, who has for many years been identified with the farming interests of this county, descends from a family who for upwards of a century have been prominent agriculturists here.  When his ancestors first settled in this region they were greeted by broad expanses of timberland with no ground in any condition for cultivation and it fell to them to hew their way through the thick forests and clear out the acres which they gradually improved and cultivated and which today are known throughout the United States as being among the finest farming lands in the country.  To those familiar with the early farming history of this region it need not be mentioned that the pioneers were compelled to endure both deprivations and hardships in order to convert the land into a proper condition to till.
     John Gutridge, grandfather of the subject of this review, emigrated from his birthplace in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and settled in this county on the farm now under cultivation by his grandson.  The deed for the property was obtained from the government of this state and when Mr. Gutridge had obtained full possession of the land he constructed a log cabin, which afforded shelter to himself and family and at once undertook the arduous task of clearing off the land for cultivation, by which he might earn a livelihood.  Little by little he succeeded in cutting the timber, culling the stumps and finally, through long years of patient toil, converted many acres into rich fields.  Associated with Mr. Gutridge in this venture was his father, Peter Gutridge, the great-grandfather of George W. Gutridge, and both grandparents spent their entire lives upon this farm, where they finally departed this life.
     George W. Gutridge was born in Franklin township, this county, Feb. 28, 1848, son of Elisha and Emily (Lampton) Gutridge.  His father was born here and spent his life upon the farm and at his death was interred in Fairmount cemetery.  His mother was a native of Shenandoah county, Virginia, and emigrated to this county with her parents, who settled in Hopewell township, on a farm adjoining the one now under cultivation by George W. Gutridge, her son.  Her parents were of German extraction and through their industry converted many acres into tillable fields, spending their lives on the farm on which they settled.  George W. Gutridge was one of a family of eight children, the names of the others being: William, who resides in Newark, Ohio, and was county commissioner for six years; James M., a well known and prosperous farmer of Hopewell township; John, a successful agriculturist of Bowing Green township; Mary, the deceased wife of James Vermillion; Lucinda, who was united in marriage to Samuel Hupp, of Bowling Green township; and Amos and R. N., both of whom are deceased.
     In the public schools of Franklin township George W. Gutridge received his education.  He attended school during the winter season and during the summer occupied his time in assisting his father in the duties of the farm.  When nineteen years of age he purchased a sawmill which he operated at different times in Monroe, Marion and Madison counties, Missouri, and after following this occupation for a period of three years he returned home with his portable sawmill, which he continued to operate until sixteen years ago, when he dropped the business and devoted his time exclusively in farming.  In Hopewell township he possesses two hundred and forty acres of rich land, in every respect highly improved, equipped with a large and convenient dwelling house and supplied with capacious barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock.  Mr. Gutridge does a general farming business and raises all kinds of grain.  In addition to this he devotes a great deal of his attention to stock-raising, particularly sheep.  He also has many head of fine cattle and his business on the whole, both as a farmer and stock-raiser, is exceedingly remunerative.
     On Aug. 1, 1867, Mr. Gutridge was united in marriage with Miss Hortense Brown.  They are the parents of the following children: Carrie Deborah, wife of Henry Orr, a prosperous farmer of Hopewell township; Edgar F., who is engaged in farming in Bowling Green township; Estella May, wife of Frank Clagget, a Hopewell township farmer; Emma, who wedded Emet Hoskins, a farmer and dairyman of Hopewell township; Samuel, who follows agricultural pursuits in the same township; Ray, who owns a sawmill and thresher and who resides in Hopewell township; Warren, a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad engineer, residing in Newark, Ohio; Lottie, whose husband, John Graham, is a farmer of Hopewell township; and Mary, who resides at home.
     Mr. Gutridge is well known and highly respected throughout the community.  He has been a member of the school board for five years.  In politics he is a democrat and is a member of the Baptist church.
Source: Centennial History of City of Newark and Licking County, Ohio by E. M. P. Brister - Vol. II - Publ. Chicago - Columbus: by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1909 - Page 881