George H. Gurler

George Hopkins Gurler (March 29, 1844 – 1940) was a prominent American businessman in DeKalb, Illinois. Gurler, along with his brother Henry, founded a successful dairy, Gurler Brothers Creamery, where they were regional leaders in the field of milk production. After the brothers split in 1895, Gurler and his son Charles established a large network of creameries in Illinois and Iowa. Gurler served as president of the Illinois State Dairy Association and produced over of butter in his creameries.

Biography George Hopkins Gurler was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire on March 29, 1844. He moved with his family to Keene in 1847 and then to DeKalb, Illinois in 1856. He attended public schools in DeKalb. During the Civil War, Gurler enlisted in the 15th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Upon his return after the war, he worked in his brother's store, Flinn & Gurler. Within a year, he bought out the senior partner. The business became known as Gurler Brothers until Henry B. Gurler retired two years later. George Gurler ran the business alone for the next eight years. He then sold the business to Fuller & Hard.

Gurler spent the next two years purchasing butter and eggs for a grocery. He then spent four years working in a creamery for Hiram Ellwood. Gurler again join his brother Henry to start their own creamery. As Gurler Brothers & Co., they built a creamery in DeKalb and expanded to own creameries in Hinckley, Shabbona Grove, Shabbona, Lee, and Malta. The partnership ended in 1895, and Gurler took sole possession of the Malta, Shabbona, Shabbona Grove, and Hinkley creameries.