George and his wife, Jane, arrived in New Orleans on 12 January 1855 via the ship Santa Clara. They remained in the east for a time before emigrating to the Salt Lake Valley. First documentation to place them in Utah is ordinances performed in the Endowment House in November 1861. Family tradition indicates that they crossed the plains in 1861 but further research is needed to confirm that. Some records list his surname as "Southen." Death date confirmed by obituary.