George H McCandless

George H. McCandless, son of John McCandless and Mary Ann Neel, was born June 30, 1830 in Freeport Township, Harrison County, Ohio. He died October 16, 1886 of consumption in Rose Valley Township, Stafford County, Kansas. On August 30, 1855 he married Eliza Ruth Calvert, daughter of Rezin Calvert and Nancy Cotton in Hiramsburg, Noble County, Ohio.

Marriage Record of George H. McCandless and Eliza Calvert from Ohio Marriage Books

Marriage Record of George H. McCandless and Eliza Calvert from Civil War Pension Files

George had three younger brothers: William, Asberry (who later moved to Seattle), and John Alexander (who died when he was 16); as well as three younger sisters: Sarah Jane, Mary Ann, and Temperance Elizabeth. When he was 15 years old George's father passed away suddenly (cause unknown). Between 1850 and 1855 George and his brother William moved to Hiramsburg, Noble County, Ohio and worked in the carpenter trade before marrying Eliza.

George witnessed the birth of five of his children before enlisting in the Civil War: Mary Matilda on May 8, 1856; John Calvert on March 2, 1859; Emma Lucretia on November 14, 1860; Clara Alvaretta on March 8, 1862; and Sarah Adeline on November 1, 1863--all in Hiramsburg, Noble County, Ohio.

George served as a Sergeant in the Union side of the Civil War. He enlisted at the age of 34 on May 2, 1864 in the 161st Regiment, Company H, Ohio Infantry (also known as the 93rd Battalion of the National Guard Unit), which consisted of 850 men. They were mustered in at Camp Chase, Ohio, May 9, 1864 under the command of Colonel Oliver P. Taylor. They left for Cumberland, Maryland, May 9 and had duty there until May 28. They attached to Reserve division, Dept. of West Virginia and moved to Martinsburg, West Virginia, May 28, 1864, and were assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, West Virginia. They were detached June 4 and then were assigned to duty up the Shenandoah Valley in charge of supply trains (or supplying trains) for Hunter's Army. They stayed with Hunter's Army in his movement from Lexington to Lynchburg. During Hunter's Raid on Lynchburg (June 17-18, 1864), the troops advanced against the Confederate rail and canal deposits and the hospital complex in Lynchburg. Reaching the outskirts of the town on June 17th, Hunter's first tentative attacks were thwarted by the timely arrival by rail of General Jubal A. Early's Corps vanguard from Charlottesville. Hunter withdrew the next day after sporadic fighting because of a critical shortage of supplies. There was an estimated 900 casualties during this battle which resulted in a Confederate victory, allowing them to advance into Maryland. Hunter's Army then marched back into West Virginia, from Lynchburg to Webster, 500 miles, guarding a train of 150 wagons and ambulances, and encumbered by sick and wounded and 150 prisoners from June 19th to 30th, 1864. The 161st arrived back in Martinsburg on July 2, returning by rail, and joined their regiment in Hainesville. That same night, the regiment was ordered back to Martinsburg. From July 4th through 7th they had operations around Harper's Ferry. On August 24, they were called to duty in the defense of Maryland Heights, where they were under fire for two days. They were ordered home and mustered out on September 2, 1864. George was discharged honorably. During their commission, the 161st regiment had one officer die of disease or accident, one enlisted killed or mortally wounded, and 12 enlisted die from disease or accident; a total of 14 casualties.

In the spring of 1866, the Calvert and McCandless familes began their journey from Hiramsburg, Noble County, Ohio to Freeman, Cass County, Missouri. The following letter, trascribed by family researcher Robert McCoy from Rezin Calvert and George McCandless, dated January 1866, to William McPherson describes the families' plans for their move:

"Hiramsburg, Ohio, Jan 26th/66

Dear Friends

In haste. I note you a few lines to let you know that I got home safe this day night and had a hard trip of it. I found all well. Hoping the same to you all and anxious to be off to Missouri. Let this pass on to the point...our calculations are this, for all three to take the mill, each one sharing his third in all the cost or expense in buying or moving or all the cost that may be attached to the mill. This sufficient on this if you can't raise funds enough to take you through we can let you have some to help you through at reasonable terms. We have set the day for starting the sixth day of March if health permits. We wanted to go sooner than that if you could get ready. If you can, let us know. When this comes to hand if you have time to get the word back. The above date will be the day we will start from here. You will have to start the eighth of the month. You can find out when the boat leaves from Marietta for Cincinnati. We want all to go together, the sooner the better. We can get any kind of mill in St Louis that we want. I send a note this day to St Louis to know what we can get and for shipment to our nearest station. We can find out what they will cost there. So we will know what to do if you can get two hands out there that can stand firm at reasonable figures get them. W will take one or two with us...from here if we can get them at reasonable figures. We will look for you to be on hand at the time appointed if health permits. Come out if you have time before starting. I will have to close as it is near mail time.

I think we can make it interesting to all parties when we get there. You can have all the land you want at reasonable rates till you see how you will like the country, find a house to live in till we can see farther. This you may rely on. Come out if you can or give us word soon for we will start on that day if province permits. Keep this letter secure for your reference. No more.

Yours Truly

R. Calvert

G.H. McCandless

We would like to have the Johns go too if they can get ready."

In the following excerpt from the Drexel Star in 1938, Mrs Mary Gillogly, one of the seventeen people to make the trek from Ohio to Missouri, write about the early days in Coldwater Township, Cass County, Missouri:

"I am now 82 years of age and thought I might write something of the early settlement of this part of the country that would be of interest to the younger generation. I came to Coldwater township from Athens County, Ohio in March 1866 with my parents Matilda [McCandless] and William M. McPherson. We came by steamboat down the Ohio River from Pomeroy to Cincinnati, and I remember that as a pleasant ride. Although a child of nine years of age, well I remember the beautiful scenery on the Virginia side, the evergreens growing on the bluffs. At Cincinnati we took the train to St. Louis. We ferried across the Mississippi River, the bridge not being built a that time. We took the train there for Pleasant Hill, Missouri, it being the nearest railroad station to our destination.

There were seventeen of us in all, men, women, and children. My father brought two men to help run a steam saw-mill. He had two men with wagons and ox teams to meet us at Pleasant Hill. We brought nothing but our clothing, bedding, and a few dishes. The first day we traveled as far as Harrisonville, the next day to Sunny Slope farm which is south of Freeman. The men and older children walking by turns. We settled on the farm near where Charles Simmons lives now. The house was a double log house, one single log and a frame house with one large room, a shed kitchen and a cellar. We stayed at Sunny Slope farm two weeks until we could get the house in shape. The log houses long the creeks. No fences at all, unless a barn-lot. We went by horseback to Harrisonville for groceries and mail, that being our nearest post office.

Our mail was mostly letters and the county paper from back home. There had been no farming done. We didn't farm the first two years except garden and a truck patch. We had cows and plenty of milk and butter. My father was engaged in operating his sawmill the first two years. It stood just a few rods northwest of where South Fork Church now stands.

Granddad Calvert bought what is now the Bybee farm and we moved there. Our first coal-oil lamp was in 1868, having used candles molded by my mother, and rags twisted and saturated with grease, for our lights until this time. Our first beds were hickory poles fastened to the walls by bed-cord. Bed-cord was a small rope laced each way and was used as springs. A tick filled with prairie hay and a feather bed completed a very comfortable bed. We saw deer and often had venison to eat through the winter.

The first school house was built in 1869 on what is now the Clive Bundy place. We had school there three months in the year, April, May, and June. The school was moved to what is now the Calvert school, about one and a half miles away after the districts were laid out. There we had our first Sunday school. We had our testaments with a few hymn books without notes. The superintendent would read two lines, then we would sing. It was a union Sunday school and everybody came. There was no preaching."

The following letter written by Eliza's sister Rumina describes some of the hardships the family encountered while in Missouri. The letter is in the possession of Robert McCoy, Calvert family researcher. It was sent to Anne Trimmer who was with her husband, Stevenson (Rumina's deceased husband's brother), went to Missouri in 1876 and brought Rumina's two daughters back to Ohio.

"Harrisonville, Missouri Mar 25th, 1867

Dear and respected friends

After a long delay I would attempt to inform you a little of the manner and way in which I came to this place, I lived with Eliza until fall, when Father took the Ague, I went to his house to assist in nursing him, after we had watched over him about two months thinking he would not live scarcely fron one day to another, Eliza, Tish, and Cleo all coming down with ________. Sister Sally's baby was born, and Mother received her second paralistic shock about the same time also, she could walk around the room with one to support her for a few days before she became entirely helpless, when she did become helpless she bore it patiently. She did not seem to suffer much pain except when we would move her she lost her power of speech a few days before she died but appeared sensible to the last, we buried her in a grove in full view of the house, Father and the girls had become able to walk about some before she died. Tish and Cleo chilled occasionally until the middle of the winter, and I do not think Father will get rid of them while he is in this world, he is very feeble indeed, so you see that I have had enough to keep one pair of hands busy without writing much. I commenced to keep house myself last month and have a little leisure now, I thought I would improve it by writing to my friends, I was very sorry to hear ________, I hope you have entirely recovered by this time and are enjoying good health, the children send their love to you and Uncle Stevenson and Grandmother and all he rest of their friends, I send mine too hoping you will be able to answer soon.

Your friend Rumina M. Trimmer."

During this time in Missouri, George's sister-in-law Rumina and her husband died, leaving their three young girls orphaned. Their grandfather Rezin Calvert (Eliza's father) was first appointed guardian of the girls, but when he became unable to care for them, George and Eliza took the children into their care as the following court documents describe:

"Notice for Add Bond. Rezin Calvert for Trimmer heirs. August 19, 1873. To Rezin Calvert. You will take notice that at the next term of the Common Pleas Court of Cass County, MO to be begun and held at Harrisonville in said county on the first Monday in September 18736 that I shall apply to be released from your bond as Guardian of the Personal Estates of Elizabeth C. Trimmer, Nancy Trimmer, and Sarah G. Trimmer minor heirs of Samuel Trimmer deceased for the reason that said bond has become insufficient by reason of your assignment and the death of Mr. Glass my co surity and that you give additional bond and in default of giving sufficient bond that you letter as such Guardian be worked.

Geo H McCandless

by Terrel Matler

atty"

"Estate of Trimmer heirs, minors. Application of G.H. McCandless for the release of Bond of Guardian. State of Missouri, County of Cass. In the matter of estates of Elizabeth, Nancy, and Sarah G. Trimmer, minors, George H. McCandless makes application to be released fromt he bond of Rezin Calvert as Guardian of persons and estates of said minors for additional bond of said guardian and all other proper relieve and on oult? statis for the following grounds. First, that his co security on said bond on Glass is dead. Second, that on the 28th day of February last part said Rezin Calvert assigned all his property and offered for the benefit of his creditors and from all indications said Calvert is solvent.

Geo H McCandless

Sworn to subscribed before me this 3rd day of September 1873.

A.G Henry, j.p."

"Settlement of the Estate of E and SG Trimmer, minors--Geo H McCandless, executor, filed and approved by the court January 6, 1875 (Statements of Accounts excluded).

Petition for sale of Real Estate of Elizabeth Trimmer, Minor. Filed July 20, 1875, State of Missouri, County of Cass--In the Common Pleas Court in and for said county, to the judge of said court. The petition of George H. McCandless of the county of Cass and the State of Missouri petitions and shows that he is the duly appointed and legal qualified guardian of the person and estate of Elizabeth Trimmer, a minor about the age of 13 years. That said minor is the owner of the following described Real Estate lying and being situated in the county of Cass and Sate of Missouri to wit. The undivided one half part of the North half of the north west quarter of the section thirteen (13) and the south west quarter of the south east quarter of section twelve (12) and fourteen (14) acres off of the south east quarter of the south west quarter of section twelve (12) all in township forty-three (43) of range thirty-three (33). Your petition shows that said minor had no personal estate except as derived from sale of said land and that he has faithfully applied under this order of the court all the personal estate of said minor which has come to his knowledge or possession to the support and maintenance of said minor as will appear by reference to the account evidenced to the court at the January term 1875. Then of your petition a copy of which is hereto attached and there is no personal estate now in his hands belonging to said minor and the rents and profits are wholly insufficient to pay the charges and expenses necessary to support and educate said minor (not sufficient to pay the taxes on said land and keep it in repair). Wherefore the purpose of raising the funds necessary to complete the education of said minor, the undersigned guardian prays the court to order the sale of the real estate above described or so much thereof as may be required for the purpose at public or private sale and upon said terms as the court may direct.

Geo H McCandless

Guardian"

"Petition for sale of Real Estate of Sarah H. Trimmer, Minor. filed July 20, 1875. State of Missouri, County of Cass--In the Common Pleas Court in and for said county, to the judge of said court. The petition of George H. McCandless of the county of Cass and State of Missouri represents and shows that he is the duly appointed and legal qualified guardian of the person and estate of Sarah H. Trimmer, a minor about the age of 8 years. That said minor is the owner of the following described Real Estate lying and being situated in the county of Cass and State of Missouri to wit. The undivided one half part of the North half of the north west quarter of section thirteen (13) and the south west quarter of the south east quarter of section twelve (12) and fourteen (14) acres off of the east end of the south east quarter of the south west quarter of section twelve (12), all in township forty-three (43) of range thirty-three (33). Your said petitioner shows that said minor had no personal estate except as derived from sale of said land and the he has faithfully applied under this order of the court all the personal estate of said minor which has come to his knowledge or possession to the support and maintenance of said minor as will appear from the account rendered to the court at the January term 1875. Thereof by your petitioner a copy of which is hereto attached and there is no personal estate now in his hands belonging to said minor and the rents and profits are holly insufficient to pay the charges and expenses necessary to support and educate said minor not sufficient to pay the taxes on said land and keep it in repair at where upon for the purpose of raising the funds necessary to complete the education for said minor, the undersigned guardian prays the court to order the sale of the real estate above described or so much thereof as may be required for the purpose at public or private sale and upon said terms as the court may direct.

Geo H McCandless

Guardian"

In the Spring of 1877, George and his daughter Emma came to Antrim in Stafford County, Kansas from Missouri. The rest of the McCandless family came out int he fall of that year. According to the 1885 Stafford County, Kansas census for Rose Valley Township, George owned 320 acres (valued at $2000), three horses, twenty-one cattle, one swine, and one dog. It appears that compared with those in the surrounding area, George was quite well off. He is listed as a farmer who came to Kansas from Missouri.

George died on October 16, 1886. His obituary reads:

Roger Russell now owns the original McCandless homestead. It is located two miles directly south of the home of Violet McCandless on the east side of the road. Thankfully, the entire place is well-preserved and a beautiful sight to see.

1880 Census, York Twp., Stafford County, Kansas

Source Citation

"United States Census, 1880," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MF5P-989 : accessed 26 May 2012), George Mccandless, York, Stafford, Kansas.