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Avery, George Royal, 1855-1935

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: April 21, 1855 to March 2, 1935

Biographical

George Royal Avery was born to a farming family in a log cabin in Locke Township, Ingham County, Michigan, April 21, 1855. A second generation Adventist, his parents had been encouraged in their religious beliefs by such Adventist pioneers as M. E. Cornell and James and Ellen White.

When George was 14, he began keeping a diary which he kept with varying degrees of regularity and emphasis for 60 years. From helping on the family farm, his career led to five years of study at Battle Creek College, canvassing, school teaching and then back to market gardening. Of particular interest among his papers are his descriptions of and correspondence with well known pioneer Adventist educator, G. H. Bell. With this beloved teacher, George shared special interests in writing and in botany.

In 1892 George was married to Lillie Hough by Uriah Smith. They had five children: Vesta Dawn (b. 1893), Bethel Iva (b. 1897), Beulah Dale (b. 1899), Loren (b. 1908), and Lila (b. 1913). The last 33 years of his life, George and Lillie lived in Cedar Lake, Michigan, where he operated the Golden Rule Gardens. He died in Lansing, Michigan, on March 2, 1935.

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George Royal Avery (1855-1935) was a student at Battle Creek College from 1875-1880. His papers here have been copied (typescript and carbon copy) by Dr. E. K. Vande Vere from the originals at that time belonging to Mrs. Vesta Avery Keeney of East Lansing, Michigan, daughter of George Royal Avery. Those original papers are now here, having been given to the Adventist Heritage Center by Mrs. Keeney on February 22, 1977; see Collection 7. For more details, see the thesis, "George Royal Avery," by D. C. Beardsell (G.S. Th B368) and The Wisdom Seekers (LD 171 .A42V3).

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Avery Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 7
Content Description The Avery Family papers collection contains correspondence, diaries, financial records, student papers, teaching plans, poetry, books, miscellaneous items, and his herbarium. With the agreement of the donor, the collection of dried plants (contained in three volumes) was placed in the working herbarium of the Biology Department of Andrews University for preservation.
Dates: 1829 - 1934

Avery Family Papers

 Accession
Identifier: Collection 7

E. K. Vande Vere Collection: The Wisdom Seekers

 Collection
Identifier:  Collection 4
Content Description Dr. Emmett K. Vande Vere of Berrien Springs, Michigan, donated the papers of several Emmanuel Missionary College (Andrews University) administrators to the Adventist Heritage Center at James White Library, Andrews University in April 1973. Dr. Vande Vere collected and used these materials to write his book, The Wisdom Seekers (1972). The collection contains the correspondence, diaries, papers, manuscripts, articles, pamphlets, legal instruments, notations,...
Dates: Majority of material found within 1855 - 1973

E. K. Vande Vere Collection: The Wisdom Seekers

 Accession
Identifier: Collection 4
Dates: Majority of material found within 1855 - 1973