R. George Rees, undertaker and embalmer, is conducting one of the best establishments of tins kind on Grand avenue in the Fair Haven section of New Haven. He was born March 9, 1884, in New Haven, a son of David Rees, a native of Wales, who came to America in 1875 and lived for a time in the west and south, where he engaged in business as a charcoal iron maker, having learned his trade in Wales. In 1880 he became a resident of New Haven, where he has since made his home and in later years he engaged in engineering but is now living retired. He married Ellen Willis, a native of Birmingham, England, who came to America in the later '70s and settled in New Haven, where she became the wife of Mr. Rees.
     R. George Rees, the only son of this marriage, was educated in the public schools, which he attended to the age of fourteen and then started out to earn his own livelihood. He was first employed in the New Haven Iron and Steel Mills and followed that line of work for several years. He was afterward employed by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad in the Northampton division shops and office, continuing there for three years. He was also employed in the freight office at New Haven for a short period and when he discontinued his connection with railroad service he entered the Meyers College of Embalming at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated. For a time he was employed by Lewis & Maycock, undertakers of New Haven, with whom he continued for three years, and in 1908 he accepted a position with the H. W. Crawford Company of New Haven. In 1913 he embarked in business on his own account, purchasing the Crawford interests in connection with A. T. Smith, the firm style of Smith & Rees being then assumed. The business was conducted by them until September, 1915, when Mr. Rees purchased his partner's interest and is now sole proprietor. This establishment is today the second oldest in this line in New Haven, having been founded in 1853, and in volume of business ranks first, in his section of the city, a liberal patronage being accorded. Mr. Rees has a most splendidly appointed undertaking establishment, which includes a chapel thirty-six by eighteen feet with a seat-ing capacity for eighty-five people. There is also an office and an embalming room and he has an automobile hearse. The place is modern in every respect and is second to none in its equipment in New England.
     Mr. Rees has been married twice. In New Haven he wedded Eva Bilson. a native of Naugatuck and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bilson, both now deceased. There were two children of that marriage: Willis E., born December 26, 1902; and Maude L., born January 23, 1904. The wife and mother passed away in New Haven. Connecticut. On the 1st of January, 1910, Mr. Rees was joined in wedlock to Miss Pearl Mead, a native of Bakersfield, Vermont, and a daughter of Delbert and Josephine (Tupper) Mead. She is a direct descendant of Francis Cook. The family was established in Massachusetts at a very early period. By the second marriage there are three children: Raymond M., born August 5, 1912; Francis Cook, December 3, 1913; and Robert David, June 4, 1916.
     In his political views Mr. Rees is a republican where national issues are involved hut casts an independent ballot at local elections He is a Mason, belonging to Adelphi Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M.; to Pulaski Chapter, R. A. M., of which he is treasurer; and to Crawford Council, R. & S. M. His wife is connected with the Daughters of Liberty and also with the Eastern Star. Their religious faith is that of the Congregational church. They are widely and favorably known, having a large circle of warm friends who esteem them highly for their many excellent traits of character. Mr. Rees has also made for himself a creditable position in business circles, working his way steadily upward. He started out empty-handed and his advancement is attributable entirely to his close application, his earnest purpose and his laudable ambition.