from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 232-233
It is scarce less than supererogation in outlining the leading facts in the life of Judge Brill to refer to him as a lawyer in the ordinary phraseology which meets the requirements when dealing with the average member of the legal profession. He is indeed much more than eminently successful in his legal career, as is indicated by his long and praiseworthy record at the bar and his efficient service on the bench. He is a master of his profession, a leader among men distinguished for the high order of their legal talent, and his eminent attainments and ripe judgment make him an authority on all matters involving a profound knowledge of jurisprudence and vexed and intricate questions growing out of its interpretation.
Judge George W. Brill, the son of William and Jeannette (Matthews) Brill, was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, December 15, 1859. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Scotland. William Brill was a millwright by trade and came west when a young man, settling in Hendricks County, Indiana. Here he lived until his death, in April, 1873, his widow surviving him until 1907. They were loyal and consistent members of the Lutheran Church at Pecksburg. To Mr. and Mrs. William Brill were born six children: George W., the immediate subject of this sketch; William Henry, deceased; Rachel Jeannette, the wife of L.F. Sparks; Bess, who lives with her brother, and William T., who is a furniture dealer in Danville.
Judge Brill was born on the farm near Center Valley, Liberty Township, this county, and received his education in the common schools of this township. He finished his education by taking the course in the Central Normal College, at Danville, and has been granted two diplomas from that institution. Following his graduation from the college, he taught school for four years, in the meantime reading law with Hadley, Hogate and Blake in Danville. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1883, and was in continuous practice until November 16, 1913, when he went on the bench of the fifty-fifth judicial circuit of Indiana. He formed a partnership with Col. George T. Harvey in 1890, which continued until he went on the bench. This firm was very successful in every way and was in most of the important litigation of the county and central part of Indiana for the past twenty years.
Judge Brill was elected judge at the general election in November, 1913, on the Democratic ticket, and gave up a law practice of eighteen thousand dollars a year to take the judgeship at three thousand five hundred. He did this only at the earnest solicitation of his friends. This was his first office, although about twenty years ago he was the party nominee for joint senator of Marion and Hendricks Counties, when, though he carried Marion County by over seven hundred, he lost his home county and was defeated.
Judge Brill was married on November 23, 1883, to Emma L. Gregg, the youngest daughter of Martin and Mary Jean Gregg. Martin Gregg was county commissioner when the old court house was built and was a very estimable and substantial citizen of the county. Two children have been born to Judge and Mrs. Brill, one of whom died in infancy, while the other daughter, Gertrude Holt, is still under the parental roof. Mrs. Brill died on October 11, 1913.
Fraternally, Judge Brill is a member of the Knights of Pythias and has been in that order since 1882, during which time he has held every office in that lodge. He is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Danville. Judge Brill is the owner of considerable real estate in the county, having several town properties and also farm lands scattered throughout this section. His career indicates what can be done by the young man who starts out to make his own way through life. He had no influential or rich friends or relatives to help him and can be truly called a self-made man.