Born in a log cabin among the hills of Morgan County, Ohio, June 17, 1841, a son of pioneers of the Western Reserve. His father, Owen Maris, was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, son of David and Sarah (Fawkes) Maris. The Maris family were among the most prominent people of Delaware county, Pennsylvania. In their religious belief they were Quakers. George spent his boyhood days in his native State and received his education in its public schools. At the age of seventeen he came out to Keokuk county, Iowa; where he spent three years, returning at the end of that time to Ohio. The following year, 1862, he came back to Iowa, this time taking up his abode at Spring Dale, Cedar county, where he bought a farm and where, June 2, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, who was born in Erie county, New York, a member of a highly respected family. In 1872 Mr. Maris removed to his present farm in Seeley township. Politically, Mr. Maris has always given his support to the Republican party and is regarded as one of its "wheelhorses" in this county and district. In 1875 he was honored by election to the Iowa State Legislature and served as a member of the Sixteenth General Assembly, making a creditable record therein. Also he has on various occasions been elected to fill local offices. He served two terms as Treasurer of Guthrie county, has been a member of the High School Board, and to what ·ever position he has been called he has performed prompt and faithful service.