Who is George from The Innocents Abroad and what is their importance?

According to Twain, George is the worst singer on the ship. We are introduced to George at the start of the book, when the passengers have to entertain themselves by playing dominoes, attending sermons and singing. He is scolded by the other passengers for trying to change the tune of the songs until he assures everyone that he is singing the notes exactly as he reads them. George is not mentioned again until the group travels back to America.