William Alexander McCandless

William Alexander McCandless was born July 13, 1866 in Freeman, Cass County, Missouri. He died July 16, 1952 in Stafford County, Kansas. He married Lulu May Adams. They had eight children.

They had eight children:

--Homer H. McCandless

b. October 10, 1890 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. October 30, 1913 to Ada Rowden in St. John, Stafford County, KS

d. July 12, 1983 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

--Calvert Cotton McCandless

b. March 27, 1892 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. August 5, 1914 to Mary Ann Long in Antrim, Stafford County, KS

d. March 31, 1986 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

--Ruth Elner McCandless

b. April 5, 1897 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. August 5, 1951

d. July 14, 1976 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

--Cecile Lois McCandless

b. May 12, 1899 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. March 10, 1934 to Fred Martin Farias

d. March 21, 1981 in Montery Park, Los Angeles, CA

--Max Trimmer McCandless

b. May 9, 1901 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. September 3, 1926 to Fleta Cecile Beaty

d. May 14, 1970 in Indio, Riverside, CA

--Erma Leeta McCandless

b. October 22, 1903 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. July 9, 1931 to Joseph Mayo Putze

d. May 17, 1962

--Madge Wilma McCandless

b. May 10, 1906 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. August 3, 1930 to John Fenton Slade

--Ted Roosevelt McCandless

b. August 19, 1908 in St. John, Stafford County, KS

m. October 22, 1935 to Evelyn Lanore Brenn in Greensburg, Kiowa County, KS

d. July 25, 1995

According to the 1900 Census, William was a farmer and could read and write. There was a story written in a local book (source needed) detailing an event in William's life:

According to a local history book: "On the first day of January, 1886, a severe storm swept through the Kansas prairie with a mixture of rain, ice, and snow combined with high winds and sub-zero temperatures. Many settlers living in temporary housing froze to death. Estimates of the death toll neared 100, railroads ceased, and 80% of the cattle froze or starved. A person could not see from the house tot eh barn, so many fastened a rope to the house before attempting to feed their freezing animals. Will McCandless fed his father's cattle and found it difficult to keep the ice from covering their eyes and noses."

Rose Valley Township First Settlers:

SE 1/4 16-25-13.......William McCandless......1897.......State of KS

SW 1/4 16-25-13......William McCandless......1897.......State of KS