Individual Details

In the 1900 Census he is living in Dazey, Barnes County, North Dakota with his wife and is a blacksmith. The census indicates he was born in Scotland, his parents were born in Scotland, and he immigrated to USA in 1889. The family has living with them; Marvin Leland, Margaret Ann, and Anna Nora Brown.
In the 1910 Census he and his family are in Dazey and he works for the grain elevator.
In the 1920 Census he and his family are living in Courtenay, Stutsman County, North Dakota and he is a blacksmith.
In the 1930 Census he and his wife are living in Courtenay. The census indicates his valued property as $3000, he has a radio set, he is 54, married at age 24, born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland, speaks English and Scottish, naturalized citizen in 1888 (Note: North Dakota State University records indicate he was naturalized in 1909 and 1912), veteran of World War I, and manager of a confectionary.
In an article entitled "The Dazey Elevators," from Our Heritage Dazey, North Dakota 1883 - 1983 Page 50, the following is quoted: "The Cargill Elevator Company, the oldest in Dazey, rebuilt in 1905 with a 35,000 bushel capacity. Agents after Nels Larson (1884-1894) and C.P. Stowman (1895-1906) were George Laing, Edward Anderson, George Walker, George Robertson, Archie Olson, and Orrin Hanson."
In an article entitled "Blacksmiths," Our Heritage Dazey, North Dakota 1883 - 1983 Page 58, the following is quoted: "Edward Olson was operating a blacksmith shop in 1896 and Peter Nelson in 1898. In 1900 another blacksmith shop was in operation known as Mickelson and Barbo. Ole Mickelson and Michael Barbo were the blacksmiths. This shop was located where the present Lutheran parsonage stands. In 1902 Ole Oppegard replaced Mr. Barbo as partner. By 1904 George Laing had replaced Mr. Oppegard who was now managing the Oppegard Implement."
In 1961 he died in Richland County, North Dakota although his residence was still in Stutsman County, North Dakota.
His obituary from the Jamestown Sun, 19 December 1961, Page 2:
"Funeral services for George Laing, longtime Courtenay resident, were held Monday afternoon at the Eddy Funeral Chapel with Rev. Edward Hoag, minister of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Mr. Laing died Saturday at the Wahpeton Rehabilitation Center, where he had resided for the past three years.
Pallbearers were Howard Chidley, LeRoy Chidley, Glen Wilson, Joseph Maruska, Whitney Tucker and Melvin Noecker. Burial was in the Courtenay cemetery.
Relatives from out of town attending the services included Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Laing, Minneapolis; Miss Hilda Youngbeck, Sutton and Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Peterson of Fargo.
Born August 2 1874, at Auchnagatt, Scotland, Mr. Laing came to the United States alone at the age of 12 to live with a brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Shepard, at Park River, Minnesota. Later he served as an apprentice blacksmith in Grand Forks. Mr. Laing and Fannie Brown were married January 22, 1900, at Valley City and made their home at Dazey where he worked as a blacksmith and later as a grain buyer. In 1912 the family moved to Courtenay where he operated a blacksmith shop and looked after the Courtenay light plant. Mrs. Laing died September 12, 1945. Mr. Laing retired from his trade several years ago. He was a member of the Courtenay Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are two sons, Marvin Laing, Minneapolis, and Gordon Laing of Delavan, Wisconsin; one grandchild; and the following sisters and brother, Jessie, Charlotte and Charlie Laing, all of Scotland."

Birth	2 Aug 1874	Auchnagatt, Buchan, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Marriage	22 Jan 1900	Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota - Fanney E. BROWN
Burial	Dec 1961	Courtenay, Stutsman County, North Dakota
Death	16 Dec 1961	Richland County, North Dakota

Spouse	Fanney E. BROWN (1867 - 1945)
Child	Marvin R. LAING (1902 - 1976)
Child	Gordon F. LAING (1907 - 1979)