George Tilles, Sr.

George Tilles Sr. (September 11, 1859 – November 26, 1929) was an American businessman and an early developer of the city of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Tilles was the older brother to Cap Tilles, a St. Louis capitalist and philanthropist. During his career, Tilles became a prolific entrepreneur and established a variety of businesses in manufacturing, insurance, brokerage, telephone communications, local theatrical production, and commercial property.

Tilles had other career interests than business. In 1906, he ran for a seat in the Arkansas State Senate as a Republican but was unsuccessful. Tilles also became an author, writing the history of Fort Smith from the Civil War to the early 20th century.

Philanthropy Tilles supported charitable work as a member of the Freemasons. He was one of a committee of seven Masons who worked to create the Arkansas State Tuberculosis Sanatarium at Booneville, Arkansas. Although the institution was to be state owned, the money to create the project was generated through private donations of the Masons. Within three years, the necessary funds were raised and allocated to the state government, where Tilles would regularly visit the children.