George Washington Elmore, Jr

Born: 11 Nov 1829 in White County (Now Putnam) Tennessee

Died: 2 Nov 1872 in Liberty, Montgomery County, Kansas

 Company I, 5th Tennessee Cavalry, USA

24 Nov 1862-6 Apr 1865

Company B, 8th Tennessee Mounted Infantry, USA

7 Apr 1865-17 Aug 1865

George "Wash" was the son of George Washington Elmore, Sr and Sarah "Sallie" Bussell.  He married Mary Catherine "Polly" Brown daughter of Hiram Brown and Mary Allison.  They  had ten children between 1853 and 1872.

Wash joined the Union Army with the main group from Mine Lick Creek on 24 Nov 1862.  He mustered into Company I of the 5th Tennessee Cavalry, company mates with Francis Marion Roberts and others from Mine Lick Creek.  He was in the military hospital for some time with mumps that dropped to his testicles and also went to his head.  He was later to die from the results of this.  The family tradition is that Wash and Francis Marion were given leave from Company I to come to Putnam County area and raise a new company of volunteers.  In those days Companies elected their own officers.  The expectation was that Wash would be elected Captain and Francis Marion would be elected Lieutenant.  They raised the Company which became Company B of the 8th Tennessee Mounted Infantry, but in the elections Wash was elected Lieutenant and Francis Marion was NOT elected for commission.  Francis Marion returned to Company I of the 5th Tennessee Cavalry.  Wash was discharged from Company I on 6 April 1865, commissioned a 1st Lieutenant and mustered into Company B, 8th Tennessee Mounted Infantry on 7 April 1865.  Service records of both Wash and Francis Marion add credance to this oral tradition.  This recruiting job also explained some of their service records where they are have unauthorized absences.

Wash and Polly's ninth child was born in Tennessee in April of 1870.  Sometime later that year they moved to Denlow in Douglas County, Missouri.  We have testimony that sometime in 1871 they left Denlow and relocated to Drumcreek Township in Montgomery County, Kansas.  Their final child was born in Kansas a month after Wash died.  Wash is buried in the Centennial Cemetery in Cherryvale, Montgomery County, Kansas.  Sometime after Wash's death, Polly returned to Denlow, Missouri to reunite with her sister's family.  Her sister's (Lucinda) husband, Edmond D. Pennington would serve as guardian of Wash's minor children.  Polly died 25 Sep 1887 and is buried in the Denlow Cemetery in Denlow, Kansas.  Wash and Polly's children left many descendants in Missouri and Kansas.

Why did they relocate to Missouri/Kansas?  I don't know.  But, I do know that during the period of 1865-1870 many scores were settled from Civil War "wrongs".  I have documented at least three that happened in our section of Mine Lick Creek near where Wash lived.  He perhaps decided to take his family west for greater safety/security.  If any descendants read this and know more about this family, please contact me.  Thanks.