JOHN C. McCANDLESS. They were men of hardihood and courage who made their way to the Kansas frontier during its territorial days and amid the political troubles and the scourge of grasshoppers, drouth and chinch bugs, set themselves about the task of building up a homestead. Among them the subject of this sketch bore no unimportant part. He came to Doniphan County and "squatted" on a quarter section of land, which, however, he occupied only one year. Then selling out he went to Galveston, Tex., and in 1858 left there for Memphis, Tenn. In 1861 he was accepted as a recruiting officer in the Northern army and he followed the fortunes of war as a bridge mechanic and in other capacities until after the national conflict had ended. Then returning to Washington County, Kan., he on the 10th of July, 1868, homesteaded a quarter section of land in Lincoln Township. He occupied that ten years, then selling out, came, in 1878, to Riley County, of which he has since been a resident. He purchased 160 acres of land in May Day Township, occupying a portion of sections 13 and 24 and makes his home on the latter. He has been greatly prospered in his labors and is now the owner of 440 acres of land which is largely devoted to graded stock.

A native of Butler County. Pa., our subject was born Nov. 26, 1831. His father, Robert B. McCandless. was likewise a native of that county and born Feb. 9, 1811. He there spent his entire life engaged in farming pursuits. He was an honest and upright man and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he voted with the old Whig party and was prominent in political affairs. He became well-to-do and departed this life Oct. 5, 1852. The paternal grandfather was John McCandless who was born June 1, 1760, on the English Channel, during the passage of his parents from Scotland. The latter was the son of Robert McCandless who was born in Scotland in 1736 and emigrated to America with three brothers in 1760. They settled in Butler County. Pa., where the father of John was married and where John was reared and educated. Robert McCnndless did good service in the Revolutionary War as a Second Lieutenant.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Jane Cranmer. She was born in Rochester. N. Y., in 1809, and was the daughter of Asaph and Annie (Hill) Cranmer, who were likewise natives of the Empire State. Mr. Cranmer was a farmer by occupation and served in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Cranmer was of English extraction and lived to be eighty-four years old. Both were members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The great-grandfather Cranmer was among the earliest settlers of New York State and traced his ancesters to England. Grandfather Cranmer died at the age of seventy-live years.

To the parents of our subjects there were born nine children, viz.: John; Margaret, who died at the age of fifty-six years; Elizabeth, a resident of Venango County, Pa.; Israel A.; Robert C. ; Mary J.; Minnie, who died at the age of thirty-five; George, who died when three months old and Asaph, who died when six years old. John, like his brothers and sisters, was reared in his native county, receiving the benefits of a common-school education. When approaching the thirty-second year of his age he was married April 23, 1863, to Miss Caroline M. Moore. This lady was born in Seymour, Ind., Aug. 1, 1844, and is the daughter of Charles and Ruth (Doan) Moore, who were likewise natives of the Hoosier State. Mr. Moore was a farmer and became quite wealthy. He died at the age of forty-nine years. Mrs. Moore survived her husband many years, dying at the age of seventy-two. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. McCandless are the parents of five children, viz.: Alvah C., John C., Joshua, Guy E. and Adelbert G.; they are all living and at home with their parents.

Mr. McCandless cast his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas but since the organization of the Republican party has been a stanch supporter of its principles. He keeps himself posted upon matters of leading interest and is considerably interested in politics. He has filled various positions of trust and responsibility and is an intelligent and well-informed man — one whose opinions are generally respected.