George W. Wyckoff was born March 4, 1838, in Illinois, and served as a captain in the 18th Missouri Infantry (Union) during the Civil War. He married Josephine Stanton of Marion County, Iowa, circa 1862-1863. Following the war he served as a representative of Appanoose County in the Iowa general assembly. Wyckoff remained in Appanoose County until his death there August 28, 1925.