GEORGE A. PREDIGER, a distinguished figure in the profession of law in Berkshire County, who has, largely by his own endeavors, risen to high rank in his chosen field of activity, has been engaged in practice in Pittsfield for thirty-six years, devoting his attention to general lines. He is a son of Henry and Margaret (Meusel) Prediger, his father a prominent shoe merchant of Pittsfield and esteemed by his contemporaries in every line of business endeavor.
George A. Prediger was born in Pittsfield, July 5, 1865. Receiving his early education in the local public schools, he was graduated from the Pittsfield High School in 1882. Then taking up the liberal arts course at Muhlenburg College at Allentown, Pennsylvania. he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1886 and that of Master of Arts in 1889. Meanwhile returning to his native city, in 1886, he entered the office of the late E. M. Wood in July of that year and read law under the preceptorship of this prominent jurist. Judge Wood had invited him to take this step before he entered college and under this able and distinguished lawyer Mr. Prediger gained inspiration for his future career. In 1887 he also took up further studies at the Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated. Mr. Prediger received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from Boston Law School on June 6, 1888, which was before the age limit set by this institution. Admitted to the bar of his native State on July 6 of the same year, Mr. Prediger entered practice with his preceptor, Mr. Wood, and practiced with him until 1894, when he opened his own office and has continued alone ever since. Following general lines of practice many important cases and interests have been entrusted to him and both as a trial lawyer and in the capacity of counsel, he has gained eminent repute in Western Massachusetts. Many of Mr. Prediger’s friends have sought to induce him to become a candidate for important political offices, but such honors he has declined, serving only as a member of the school committee and the Board of Health. He takes a deep interest in all that pertains to public welfare and his influence is always cast on the side of progress and right. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Berkshire County Bar Association and the Commercial Law League of America. He is affiliated with the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Mystic Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic, and Park clubs.
George A. Prediger married, November 23, 1893, Laura M. Butz, who was a first honor graduate in her class at the Ladies Seminary at Allentown, Pennsylvania, who died March 21, 1813. They were the parents of four children: Arnold, who was born in 1895, and died in 1903; Miriam, who was born in 1888 and died in 1819; Lillian, an honor student at Pittsfield High School and an honor student at Smith College, now a teacher in the junior High School, in Pittsfield; and Eva, a first honor student at Pittsfield High School, and graduate of Smith College, class of 1924.