I can't really think of a logical reason for the carriage factory to close in the 1880s since cars hadn't come into their own yet. Practical reasons might be bankruptcy, fire, competition, etc. Perhaps George just wanted to move on. Perhaps some charmer broke his heart and he wanted to get away. <g> It's not safe to assume in genealogy. I don't know if there are such records but a good place to inquire would be the Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society. Cheryl Rothwell clrothwell@mindspring.com