GEORGE WASHINGTON JESSUP JR. was born on the family farm at Jessup's Mills in Gloucester County NJ on December 18, 1849. After completing his education with a two years course at the Bridgeton Academy, he worked in Philadelphia for four years. He married in 1873. A son, Charles G. Jessup was born, but sadly, his wife Abigail passed away in January of 1874. George Jessup moved to York PA for about eighteen months, returning to Philadelphia in 1877, accepting a position as a traveling salesman for C.H. Gardner & Co., a large hat dealer. George Jessup spent eleven years in this position, covering every state in the Union and traveling to Europe twice. During this period he remarried, but again became a widower when his wife passed in 1883. By 1887 he had moved to Camden, making his home at 416 North 5th Street.

George W. Jessup left the hat business in 1890, and went into the real estate business in Camden NJ, with George H. Fairfield. He soon bought Fairfield out, and after bringing his son Charles into the firm on December 1, 1895, renamed his business G.W. Jessup & Son. He also remarried, in June of 1895 to Miss Esther Carr of Trenton NJ.

George W. Jessup was involved in some of the largest real estate transactions in Camden in the 1890s, including the land for the site of the Sixth Regiment Armory, the land for First Methodist Episcopal Church at 6th and Stevens Streets, the Edward N. Cohn and the Markley properties, the George H. Munger property, and the land for the Camden Electric Light and Heating Company. 

George W. Jessup was one of the incorporators of the Masonic Building at 415 Market Street, also known as the Temple Theater, where his offices were located. He was made Secretary of the Board of Trade, an early version of the Chamber of Commerce, in 1892. He also served as Director and Vice-President of the Provident Building and Loan Association. 

George Jessup was very concerned with fairness in taxation. He spent considerable effort in reducing the tax assessment in Camden, and through his activity in the Board of Trade, took his views state-wide. In September of 1896 he spoke on the subject in Trenton on a meeting of the various Boards of Trade throughout the state. At this meeting he read from a paper where he stated, "A man who owns his own home will never be an anarchist." At this meeting he urged reform of the poll, school, and personal taxes at the upcoming session of the New Jersey State Legislature, and announced that he had a skeleton bill drafted on the poll tax.

In April of 1901 George W. Jessup arranged for the purchase of 15 farms for H.C. Frick of Pittsburgh in the area lying between Gloucester City and Mount Ephraim. 

In April of 1902 he was involved in plans to form a state Board of Trade.

In October of 1903 the Philadelphia Worsted Company, located in Camden was declared insolvent. George W. Jessup was appointed receiver by the court. 

In 1905 he founded, with his son and George H.B. Martin, the City and Suburban Realty Company in Camden. He eventually moved the offices of this company to West Collingswood. This company dealt in real estate and building construction. He was very much a part of developing the towns that sprung up along the White Horse Pike in the early part of the 20th Century. On January 9, 1909 George W. Jessup became a director of the Camden Safe Deposit & Trust Company. Also in January of 1909 George Jessup incorporated the Haddon Heights Park Company with his son and Charles A. Reynolds to deal in real estate and as builders and contractors. In March of 1909 he incorporated the Haddon Highlands Company, again with his son and Charles A. Reynolds to deal in real estate.

By 1920 he was living in an apartment at 532 Cooper Street with his wife, Esther. In these years Esther Jessup was a member of the Woman's Club of Camden, N.J. Also living in this building were banker Burleigh Draper, and businessman T. Yorke Smith. Melbourne F. Middleton Jr. lived next door at 538 Cooper Street. By 1930 he was retired, and living with his wife Esther at 214 Cooper Street. George W. Jessup passed away on March 28, 1932 in Camden.

George W. Jessup was a Mason, a member of Camden Lodge No. 15 A.F.& A.M.; and also was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.