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CoL George R. Marvel, retired farmer, was born in Gibson County, Ind., in 1815, the son of Prettyman and Lovina (Rogers) Marvel, of English descent, born in Delaware in 1758 and 1767 respectively. The father married in his native State, afterward moved to Georgia, thence to Livingston County, Ky., and in the early part of this century settled in Gibson County, Ind., a pioneer farmer in that part of the State, where he bought 200 acres. He died in 1859. The mother died about eighty-two years of age. Our subject, the only survivor of nine children, was educated in the home schools of Gibson County, and August 13, 1835, married Sallie H. McReynolds, born in Allen County, Ky., April 27, 1820. The parents of our subject were living with him at this time. Their twelve children are Aceneth E. (wife of G. Mitchell), Prettyman W., John J. (deceased), James E., Wiley H., William T. (deceased), Sarah E. (deceased wife of George Welmore), Lucy J. (wife of J. Plumlee), Lovina J. (deceased), Martha A. (wife of George Weaver), George H. (deceased) and Hattie M. (wife of George Stephens). He had four sons and two sons-in-law in the United
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States Army. In 1849 he moved to Posey County, Ind., and in 1853 came to Franklin County and bought 640 acres in Sections 35 and 36, Cave Township, and has resided in the former section ever since. August 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, Gen. Logan's brigade, as veterinary surgeon. He returned in 1863, and organized the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, of which he was colonel until June, 1864, when he resigned on account of deafness. He fought at Belmont, Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Oxford, Holly Springs, Champion Hill, Black River, Raymond, Vicksburg, and was in numerous skirmishes. He received a flesh wound at Fort Donelson, and was attacked by rheumatism at Cairo, from which he has for the past four months been unable to leave his bed. Four sons were in the army, two of whom died: William at Pine Bluff and John at home. He bears his sufferings as the Christian gentleman that he is. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church many years and of which he has been a steward for the past twenty years. Formerly a Democrat, voting for Van Buren, he has since the war been a Republican.