George Ainslie

Democrat Delegate of Idaho

Congresses Served

January 1, 1838 (75 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1913

Death

Was a lawyer, mining investor, and Congressional delegate from Idaho Territory.
Born in Missouri to a family with a military background in the British Army.
Attended courses at what is now St. Louis University and declined an appointment at West Point.
Admitted to the Missouri bar in 1860 before moving to Colorado Territory and then to Idaho following gold discoveries.
Practiced law in Idaho and owned an interest in the successful General Custer Mine.
Married Sara “Sallie” Owens in 1866 and had two daughters; the family were strong Episcopalians.
Edited the Idaho World newspaper from 1869 to 1873.
Elected to the Territorial Council of Idaho City in 1865 and served as Council President.
Served as District Attorney for the Second District of Idaho Territory from 1875 to 1879.
Served as Idaho Territorial Delegate to the U.S. Congress from 1879 to 1883.
Elected to represent Boise County in the Idaho Constitutional Convention in 1889.
Moved to Boise in 1890 and invested in various enterprises, including the Boise Artesian Hot & Cold Water Company and the Boise Rapid Transit Company.
Continued interest in mining, owning stock in a company with extensive placer mining claims.
Moved to Oakland, California around 1908 due to poor health and died there in 1913.
His descendants continued the family tradition of service, including a grandson who served in World War I and a son-in-law who became a U.S. Senator from Idaho.