George Sheeks, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of George Sheeks
GEORGE SHEEKS, the proprietor of the American Laundry of Valparaiso, was born in Orleans, Orange County, Indiana, March 9, 1881, the son of Hugh and Susan (Fields) Sheeks, who were farmers of Orange County, Indiana. To them were born five children, of whom George is the youngest in order of birth. The others are John, Jennie, Alice, who is now Mrs. A. E. Sims, and Elizabeth. who is now deceased, but who was married to Ralph Crites.
George Sheeks was educated in the public schools of Orleans, and his first venture in business life was in the creamery business in lola, Kansas. where he remained for three years, and then removed to Paoli, Indiana, and here was engaged in that business. In 1913 he came to Valparaiso, where he purchased the Valparaiso Cooperative Creamery Company; on January 1, 1915, he purchased the American Laundry, of which he is the sole owner. It is a modernly equipped institution, occupying a two-story building which measures 66 by 44 feet. Many of the most improved ideas in laundry operation are used, such as soft water in all processes, electricity is used for power, and steam for heating and drying. The work is almost wholly confined to Valparaiso patronage, and embraces as one of the chief customers Valparaiso University. The work requires a force of fourteen persons and two automobile trucks to handle the work.
Mr. Sheeks was united in marriage with Zelia J., daughter of Charles F. and Mary Johnson of Bloomington, Indiana. Mr. Sheeks is a memuer of the National and Indiana Laundry Owners' Association, Chamber of Commerce, Masonic bodies, and the Rotary Club.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 243-244
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook