Home > United States of America > Washington > Lewis County > Centralia > Washington Lawn Cemetery > George Cleveland Washington

George Cleveland Washington

View larger map

Birth	:	15 Dec 1891 Centralia, Lewis County, Washington, USA
Death	:	3 Jan 1911 Centralia, Lewis County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Washington Lawn Cemetery, Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.7209320, -122.9606040
Description	:	It is with many thanks to Kerry Serl that I post this most treasured photograph of George Cleveland Washington - one that has remained unseen by the family, etc. for over 100 years. Kerry diligently searched until she found it filed safely away at the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association. The picture of George and his team mates, labeled "Second Basketball Team" was published in the "Seventh Annual Catalogue of VASHION COLLEGE and ACADEMY." It appears this is the only photo of him in existence. George is in the right upper corner. The top middle boy is George Jay Galvin. George... Read More	It is with many thanks to Kerry Serl that I post this most treasured photograph of George Cleveland Washington - one that has remained unseen by the family, etc. for over 100 years. Kerry diligently searched until she found it filed safely away at the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association. The picture of George and his team mates, labeled "Second Basketball Team" was published in the "Seventh Annual Catalogue of VASHION COLLEGE and ACADEMY." It appears this is the only photo of him in existence. George is in the right upper corner. The top middle boy is George Jay Galvin. George was the son John Galvin who was Mayor of Centralia when George Cleveland Washington's father died in 1905. Mr. Galvin requested all businesses to close down for his funeral. Kerry thinks they were friends. Both were both born in Centralia, 4 months apart in age; both attended and traveled to Vashon College together. Kerry is working with a group in Centralia celebrating the 200th birthday (2017) of George's father, the Black founder of Centralia. She is the co-author of a book that is being written about George Washington and his family (November 2017). ----- George Cleveland, the only child of George & Charity Elizabeth (Crim) Washington, lived a short but memorable life. NOTE: George died at 6 P.M. on January 3, 1911. His half-brother, G. W. Brown, of Centralia, was the informant on his death certificate. He was shown as White on his death certificate. ----- The following article provides a little information about George & his parents. Centralia Daily Chronicle Monday, December 15, 1975 "The Time Machine: Dec. 15, 1891 GEORGE WASHINGTON FATHER AT AGE 73 Another in a series of articles exploring past events of this area, published in conjunction with the nation's bicentennial - By Glen Dickason - Chronicle Staff Writer The father of Centralia, George Washington, didn't father a child until he was 73 years old. He had married Mary Jane Coonness in 1869, but did not have a child by her. She died in March, 1889 of a serious illness. At the time of her death, Washington's wealth was piling up. The dream he had of a city growing on his farm was a reality, but he could not rid himself of the loneliness he felt at his wife's passing. he tried to help others in order to forget himself. He offered to marry a needy widow with several young children and she accepted. In 1890, shortly after his second marriage, Washington moved to a home near the Washington Lawn Cemetery. The house at 224 North Ash Street was a large white structure. In that house on Dec. 15, 1881, 84 years ago today, George Cleveland Washington was born. Washington 73 years old named the boy after himself and the newly-elected president. Shortly after the boy was born, Washington and his new wife separated, with Washington keeping his young son. (This is incorrect news. George lived with his mother and was still with her when she asked his father for a divorce in 1896. The 1900 Federal Census records shows that he was living with both parents around that time. They were divorced in 1902, and he went to live with his father until his father died in 1905. Then, he went home to live with his mother.) He returned to the double house he had built near the site of the present Elks Temple. When the boy grew older he was a noted follower of rooster fights. He'd go from one end of the town to the other to match his cock against likely opponents and was often seen with the game bird under his arm. It was his young son who saved Washington's life when someone attempted to poison him by switching wine for carbolic acid in a wine bottle he kept by his bed for nights he had trouble sleeping. Washington got the acid into his throat before realizing what it was. His yells and agony sent his son into the street in nightclothes screaming 'Papa's going to heaven! Papa's going to heaven." Vernon Denning attempted to help Washington, then got Dr. Dunning to administer olive oil to the poisoned man. Dunning stayed with Washington for most of a week helping him to recover. Washington, when he had recovered told Dunning,'I have enemies in this town who would delight in doing away with me.' But in spite of suspicions he may have had about who come close to killing him, Washington wouldn't accuse anybody. Had it not been for his son, who was eight years old at the time, Washington would not have lived until 1905 watching his dream (Centralia) grow." ----- On June 8, 1900, Geo Washington, age 8, was living in Centralia, Lewis Co, WA, with his divorced mother, Charity E. Washington, age 45. Other members of the family included his half-siblings: Geo W. & Lola Brown, ages 20 & 12. Charity worked as a Laborer in a Laundry. She was the mother of 5 children - 4 were living. Household Members Charity E Washington 45 (born Dec. 1854 in IN) Geo Washington 8 (Dec. 1891 in WA - at school) Geo W Brown 20 (June 1879 in IN - Packer at Shingle Mill) Lola B Brown 12 (May 1888 in NB - at school) ----- Centralia News Examiner (Centralia, WA) Friday, November 29, 1907 "John Galvin has been appointed guardian of George Cleveland Washington and his bond fixed at $2000. Mr. Galvin has also been appointed administrator of the estate of George Washington, deceased, with bonds at $500." ----- Centralia Daily Chronicle (Centralia, WA) Thursday, April 8, 1909 CENTRALIA "George Washington of this city who has been attending the Vashon school, is in this city on a short vacation." ----- Centralia News Examiner (Centralia, WA) Friday, April 9, 1909 CENTRALIA "George Washington, who is attending Vashon College, is in Centralia to spend Easter with friends." ----- On April 16 & 18, 1910, George C Washington, age 19, lived on South Iron Street in Centralia, Lewis Co, WA (shown as a Mulatto) with his mother, Charity E. Washington, age 55, & half siblings, George W. & Cora M. Brown, ages 30 & 16. Another member of the family included a widower, Francis S. Burchett, age 50. Household Members Charity E Washington 55 (mother of 5 children - 4 living - born in IN - own income) George W Brown 30 (son of Charity - IN - Mechanic in Automobile shop) Cora M Brown 26 (daughter of Charity - IN - Divorced - mother of 1 child deceased - Mistress in Hotel) George C Washington 19 (son of Charity - WA - No occupation) Francis S Burchett 50 (born in VA - widower - Patent Ideas Draftsman) ----- George was a student at Vashon College during the fire in 1910. A history of the school by Bruce Haulman and Terry Donnelly, in part, includes the following excerpt: "A crippling fire on November 19,1910 destroyed Old Main and the College never recovered. The Commercial Building and Armory were used in 1911 as a school for Chinese students, but in 1912 the College closed. I consider him a hero of sorts for providing assistance at the fire, which was the indirect cause of his death." ----- Headlines in the Centralia News Examiner on January 11, 1911, follows: "Death of George Cleveland Washington Regretted "The funeral of the late George Cleveland Washington was held from the Baptist church in this city on Thursday, January 5th, Rev. Chas. E. Flanagin conducting the service. The interment was made in the Washington Lawn Cemetery. Young George Washington was born in Centralia on December 15, 1891, and was, consequently a little over nineteen years of age at the time of his death. The cause of his death was congestion of the lungs, the result of exposure at the recent fire at Vashon College, at which institution George was a student. He rendered considerable assistance at the fire and was soaked with water. His fatal illness was the result. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Charity E. Washington." ----- Many years later ... Centralia Daily Chronicle Saturday, October 9, 1976 Article in part "Father and son lived happily together until George died after a buggy accident, Aug. 26, 1905. his son died at the age of 19 on Jan. 3, 1911, apparently of pneumonia he acquired while fighting a fire at Vashon college, where he was consider 'a very bright student,' according to newspaper accounts of the day."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is George Cleveland Washington's memorial?
George Cleveland Washington's memorial is located at: Washington Lawn Cemetery, Centralia, Lewis County, USA.
When did George Cleveland Washington death?
George Cleveland Washington death on 3 Jan 1911 in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the George Cleveland Washington's memorial?
Latitude: 46.7209320
Longitude: -122.9606040

Family Members:

Parent

George Washington

(1818 - 1905)

Charity Elizabeth Crim Brown

(1854 - 1940)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Washington Lawn Cemetery
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7209320, -122.9606040

2. Mountain View Cemetery
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7289009, -122.9843979

3. Pioneer Cemetery
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7290300, -122.9898100

4. Greenwood Memorial Park
Centralia, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7372017, -122.9824982

5. Greenwood Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6511002, -122.9389038

6. Cogdil Family Cemetery
Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7747010, -122.8826590

7. Claquato Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6469002, -123.0216980

8. Fern Hill Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6366710, -122.9418560

9. Newaukum Hill Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6338980, -122.9768320

10. Grand Mound Cemetery
Rochester, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8213997, -123.0199966

11. Forest Grove Cemetery
Tenino, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8254580, -122.8497110

12. Lincoln Creek Cemetery
Galvin, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7604700, -123.1446600

13. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Bunker, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6088840, -123.0863790

14. Napavine Cemetery
Napavine, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5817000, -122.9039000

15. Deskins Family Cemetery
Chehalis, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6878000, -122.7530000

16. Chehalis Tribal Cemetery
Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8068570, -123.1602260

17. Secena Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8061600, -123.1611900

18. Finn Hill Cemetery
Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7564011, -123.1919022

19. Mima Prairie Pioneer Cemetery
Mima, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8724403, -123.0611649

20. Thurston County Poor Farm Cemetery
Littlerock, Thurston County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8861790, -123.0225100

21. Saint Urban Catholic Cemetery
Winlock, Lewis County, USA
Coordinate: 46.5177200, -122.8856500

22. Benn Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8303540, -123.2239950

23. Oakville Pioneer Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8318939, -123.2229996

24. Oakville Final Rest Memorial Cemetery
Oakville, Grays Harbor County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8323060, -123.2240030