George Hire, after whom the township of Hire was named, settled in that subdivision of McDonough, in 1851.  He was not a land owner in this county, but was quite well off, making his home with his children.  He was a man of considerable ability and was quite popular, and somewhat of a leader in the democratic party of this county.  In 1856 he was elected to the state legislature by that party, serving two years.  Mr. Hire was born in West Virginia, but when quite young, removed to Ohio, and while a resident of that state, followed driving stock across the country to eastern markets at Philadelphia and New York.  His ancestors were of German extraction.  He was united in marriage with Catherine Bryant, a native of Virginia.  They had five children--Jesse, Mary A., Jefferson, Margaret, in Kansas; and Elizabeth, in Ohio.  He saw Washington in Virginia, when a small boy.

Township Six North of the Beardstown Baseline, and Four West of the 4th Principal Meridian, where George Hire settled, was first named Rock Creek in 1856, then renamed Hire Township in 1857.  West Virginia did not become a state until 1863.

Ross County marriage license records, if the list has been accurately transcribed, indicate that George Hire married "Catherine Brant" on January 23, 1814.  There are a few other Brant marriages on record in Ross County, but a greater number of Bryant marriages.

The Hire children were apparently all born in Ross County, Ohio.  They were:

i.	Mary Ann Hire, born April 10, 1815, Ross County, Ohio.  She died December 28, 1890, probably in or near Tennessee Township, McDonough County.  Burial at Friendship Cemetery.
ii.	Jesse Hire, born March 9, 1817, died January 22, 1877, probably in McDonough County, and was buried at Friendship Cemetery.
iii.	Jefferson Hire, born about 1819.
iv.	Margaret Hire, born in 1821, died in 1894.  Interment at Friendship Cemetery.
v.	Elizabeth Hire

Household of George Hire
Males 20 thru 29 - 1
Males 40 thru 49 - 1
Females 15 thru 19 - 2
Females 40 thru 49 - 1
Total - 5 Persons employed in agriculture - 2

Jesse Hier, 32, male, farmer, value of real estate 400, born OH
Elisabeth, 30, female, born VA
Isaac, 13, male, born OH, attended school within the year
William, 9, male, born OH, attended school within the year
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Cristin Hier, 7, female, born IN
Adam, 6, male, born OH
Mary E, 2, female, born IL
Andrew, 1, male, born IL
George, 60, male, born VA
Catherine, 58, female, born VA

George Hine, 69, male, farmer, value of real estate 600, value of personal estate 450, born VA
Catharin, 67, female, born VA, could not read or write
Franklin Hull, 23, male, farm laborer, born OH