Re: George W. PLATT (1839-1899) Artist

I have secondhand knowledge of George W. Platt through my ggg-grandfather's diary entries. My ggg-grandfather, Robert N. Tate, was an early partner of John Deere. Tate retired in the early 1860s and took up art as his hobby/profession. His good friend and fellow artist was George W. Platt, of whom you inquired. I know this because my ggg-grandfather kept a diary that mentions George numerous times. At www.askart.com you can find a short bio sketch of George. Beyond that, he is found in the 1880 census, in Rock Island, IL. A lucky break for you, he is living with his father, Henry Platt. Both father and son were born in PA, as were Henry's parents. George's siblings, in the same 1880 census/household, are Harry, Mary, and Emma. Hope that helps connect him to the Platt family tree somehow. An entry from my ggg-grandfather's diary on May 24th, 1867: Mr. George Steel, together with his son and grandson called to see me. Alex goes to Denver soon. George Platt sold them his fruit piece and the portrait of Alex’s father, George Steel, and took for his pay a bookcase and a center table." Classic case of the starving artist -- bet he'd be shocked to know how valuable his paintings have become!