From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Page 515

GEORGE ESTERLY, son of Peter and Rachel, was born in Ulster county, New York, 
October 17, 1809.  He was three times married.  His first wife, Jane LEWIS, was 
mother of his eight children.  In 1860 their step-mother was named Amelia and 
the children then at home were Mary, George W., Eva (now Mrs. Joseph Hubert 
PAGE), and Emma.  Mr. ESTERLY came to Heart Prairie in 1837, where he bought 
more than eleven hundred acres of land and in 1843 sowed three hundred acres 
with wheat.  His mind was of mechanical turn, and here was stimulus for an 
inventor.  By 1856 his reaping and mowing machine was fully in the local 
market, and in its improved forms found other markets.  He attempted, by 
newspaper articles and pamphlets, to discuss and settle some of the politico-
economic problems of his time, and his efforts found admirers.  "All in all, he 
was one of the most forceful and remarkable of many strong men of Whitewater."  
He died about 1893 at Hot Springs, South Dakota.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)