Born in Washington Township, Johnson County, Iowa, May 24, 1859, his father, G. W. Wagner, being a native of Licking County, Ohio, and the grandfather a product of the State of Maryland and of German descent. As soon as George had attained a suitable age he was placed in school, at which time there were only three schoolhouses in the township. He was left fatherless at the age of four years, and at the early age of sixteen years be began the battle of life for himself, and for some time thereafter tilled a portion of time home farm. Becoming tired of a state of single blessedness, he was married December 28, 1880, to Miss Jennie S. Shaver, who was born in Washington 'Township, this county, March 29, 1862. After his marriage, Mr. Wagner settled with his young wife on his present farm, which he purchased in 1879, having lived on the same the year preceding his marriage, and all the fine improvements that have been made are the result of his persistent energy and good management. Like his father before him, Mr. Wagner is a Democrat in his political views, and on this ticket was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1882, when only twenty-two years of age; he served with marked ability and to the satisfaction of all concerned for four years. In the fall of 1887 his numerous friends elected him to the State Legislature, in which body he made an excellent record for himself, proving himself to be an intelligent legislator and keenly alive to time interests of his section. He introduced a bill for appropriation of money for the State University at Iowa City, which was passed, the appropriation being larger than any previous one. He was a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Kalona. He was a Vice-President of the Johnson Counts' Coal Company.