George W. Cruickshank

GEORGE W. CRUICKSHANK, postmaster at Hallowell, Cherokee County, and the leading general merchant of the village, was born in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois, July 1, 1864, and is a son of William and Mary (Hand) Cruickshank.

William Cruickshank was born in Scotland, within seven miles of the city of Edinburgh, and after a long and useful life of 81 years died at Bunker Hill, Illinois, in 1897. He migrated to America just prior to the outbreak of the Mexican War, and the services of the sturdy young Scotchman were gladly accepted by the recruiting officer at St. Louis, where he had located in hope of finding work at his trade of tailor. That city was full of enthusiasm and excitement, the people taking more thought concerning military matters than of their everyday apparel, and Mr. Cruickshank found himself not only welcomed into the army ranks but made one of the escort of Gen. Winfield Scott himself. He served with bravery all through the war, and received a pension for his services until his death. After the close of the Mexican War, he went to Colorado and the results of his four years of mining there amounted to $7,000. With this capital he returned to Illinois and engaged at his trade, which he folloyed[sic] as long as health and increasing years permitted. He married Mary Hand, who was born not far from Windsor Castle, England, and died in 1887, at Bunker Hill, Illinois, aged 67 years. They had eight children, the subject of this sketch being the only son; five of his sisters still survive.

Mr. Cruickshank remained at Bunker Hill, Illinois, until he was 20 years of age, completing a common-school education in the village in 1883. He then spent two years on the Union Pacific Railroad in Colorado, and first came to Cherokee County in 1885, where he was engaged for a short time in farming. After spending two more years in Colorado, he came to Hallowell, where he was engaged in the barber business for five years, and subsequently entered into general merchandising. He was appointed postmaster by the late President McKinley, and has been continued in the office, being a very staunch supporter of the administration.

In 1892, Mr. Cruickshank was married to Florence Fee, who was born in Lewis County, Missouri, April 5, 1869, and they have four children,—Maria, Lola, Grace and Earl. Mrs. Cruickshank is a lady of accomplishments and education, having been a very successful teacher prior to her marriage. The family is socially prominent in the village.

Politically Mr. Cruickshank, like his late father, has always been a strong Republican,—one of the party workers. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Woodland, being active in both organizations. He is held in very high esteem in Lola township, both as an honorable business man, and as a capable official.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 1/11/97.