1912 - Mayor and Marshall - George Myers
George McClellan Myers was born August 1, 1864 (or 1869) in Decatur County, Indiana.
His future wife, Susan Williams Myers, was born June 2, 1886 in Napoleon, Rush County,
Indiana,
George served as a federal marshal in the "Wild West".
He once won a bridle in a horse race from the legendary Apache warrior, Geronimo!
George and Susan were married in Greensburg, Indiana on February 25, 1903 (0r 1904).
Together, George and Susan had three children: Opal, Harold, and Hoyt.
In 1912, George M. Myers and his son from his first marriage, Jeff Myers, came to Mascotte, Florida from New Point, Indiana (Decatur County).
The trip from Indiana was made by automobile. There were no paved roads then, so the trip took two weeks.
He bought 40 acres of land on Bay Lake Road, cleared it and planted it with a citrus grove.
In August, 1913, Susan Myers and their three small children (Opal, Harold, and Hoyt) followed by train with their household goods.
While the citrus trees were small, George farmed in between the rows, growing cotton, peas, and corn.
He also grew watermelons for several years, shipping by carloads to northern markets.
While George farmed, Susan operated the hotel at Mascotte for several years and many visitors returned year after year.
Fishing and hunting were good in those days. One couple even brought their hunting dog.
They had two more sons Kenneth and Forrest who were born in Mascotte.
In 1925, when Mascotte was officially made a town, George Myers was the first mayor.
The family moved to Groveland in 1928 where George was Town Marshal until he retired in the late 1940s.
While on duty as Groveland's law officer, he did not carry a gun, preferring a club instead.
Susan also operated the Groveland Hotel for many years.
Myers Boulevard, along HWY 50 was named for him.
George died on June 28, 1949 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Groveland.
Susan died on April 11, 1979 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Groveland.
[Contributors: Dolores Gano Walker (Daughter of Opal Myers) and Jason Brown]