Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

GEORGE COOK BORLAND

George Cook Borland was born on 12 April 1886 in McConnells Mills, Pennsylvania to Alexander Andrew Borland (1856-1920) and Mary Emma Melone (b 1858). George had one sister, Maud Alma (1883-1953) and one brother, Alexander Melone (1894-1960).

George grew up in Washington, Pennsylvania, USA, taking a job at a tobacconist’s by the time he was 19. On 10 May 1911, George enlisted in the infantry in New York. He had a checkered career; he deserted in September 1912 whilst in California but surrendered two years later and was subsequently given an honourable discharge in January 1915.

George married Florence A (Flossie) Cook (b 1893) about 1918. She was the daughter of John A Cook (b 1850) & Annie M ? (b 1852) and had two brothers, John (b 1888) & Wade Hampton (1894-1965).

Nevertheless, he enlisted again in 1918 at Grand Forks, North Dakota, giving his wife’s address as Neche Pembina, North Dakota and his occupation as brakeman on the railroad. George & Flossie had two daughters, Phyllis (b 1919) & Jean Margerite (1922-1981). The family subsequently moved to Seattle, Washington, USA.

George’s wife Flossie died on 6 June 1936 in Seattle, Washington.

We have been unable to find any reference to to ‘Geo C Borland’ in Saskatoon and have assumed that George Cook Borland is the signer, possibly passing through in his employment on the railroad. Two signatures from his military records look very similar to the name on the quilt.

Signature on US military record 1917-18

Signature on US military record 27 April 1942

Their family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Borland Tree.