John McCammon was born in Nockamixon, Bucks County, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1839, the only son of Samuel and Sarah McCammon. He may have been an only child as no records of other children have been found. He may have been named after his grandfathers who were both named John. His military records describe him as being 5' 7'' in height with a dark complexion, grey eyes, and black hair.
Nothing has been found to tell of life in his early years.
The property next to the McCammon's was owned by John and Margaret Houseworth. John married their daughter Mary Jane on October 18, 1859. They were married at her father's home by Elder John N. Spoore, pastor of the Milford Christian Church.
John built a home in Nockamixon and they settled into married life. John and Mary Jane had several children but most of their children did not survive to adulthood. One of their daughters, Lillian, kept a bible in which she recorded marriages, births, and deaths. Copies of it are included in a history written by James McCammon, a great grandson.
On December 6th, 1860, a little girl was born and they named her Sarah Maria. Their happiness was short lived because she died just three days after Christmas, December 28, 1860.
Their next child was born April 21, 1862. They named him Samuel after John's father. One again death claimed their baby. Samuel died when he was only three months old.
John was intensely interested in his country and was concerned about the political state of affairs. The country was soon divided and engaged in civil war. On August 19, 1862 he left his wife and home and enlisted in the army of the United States. He was severely wounded in the battle of the Monocacy River, Maryland. He was struck by a rifle ball in the lower part of the thigh. As the forces retreated he was left lying in the mud. He was soon found by four rebel soldiers one of which drew his bayonet to behead the _________ Yankee. An officer commanded him to put away his bayonet and John's life was spared. He lay in the mud for nearly 18 hours before he was found by medics from his regiment. The bone was completely shattered and despite probing the ball was not found. The result was that his leg was shortened by about two inches which caused him to walk with a profound limp the rest of his life. After being in the ward for about a month he was able to get around on crutches, but remained in the hospital until the bone had healed and all abscesses had healed. He was honorably discharged on December 17, 1864. This account may give his descendants some idea of the hardships and trials that he endured. It had an everlasting effect on him as evidenced by the time he later spent in the Veterans Home in Boise, Idaho.
John was never very far from home during his time in the service so he was able to get home from time to time. During this time a third child was born, John Lambert, October 3, 1863. John lived for many years and eventually went west with the family.
Following the war (about 1869-70) John and Mary Jane left Pennsylvania and moved to Kansas. They had three children at the time of the move, John, Ella, and William. Some of Mary Jane's family accompanied them on their move to Junction City, Kansas. Three more children were born while in Kansas, Margaret, Calvin, and Arthur. Margaret died at eight months of age and Calvin died at eleven months of age.
They soon moved from Kansas to Corrine, Utah where they spent at least two years before moving to Willard, Utah. Olive May and Lillie were born in Corrine. Olive only lived three years and died after the family had moved to Willard. John had a large family and it became larger with the addition of triplets born in Willard on December 6, 1880. They were named, Mary, Martha, and Joseph. Once again their happiness was short lived. Martha died April 24, Mary died April 29, and Joseph died May 2, 1881. It is believed they all died of whooping cough.
The family made one more move. This time they moved to the Bear Lake country in Idaho. The older members established homesteads about ten miles north of Georgetown, Idaho. It was an area close to the Bear River called Cavanaugh.
John didn't stay on the homestead too long. He often spoke of his dislike for the Bear Lake country. It wasn't too long before he left and went to live at the veteran's home in Boise. Mary Jane declined going with him and stayed in the area with her family.
John spent several years in Boise before finally returning home. He was only home about a year before he died. One afternoon he was helping his son unload a sleigh full of logs. Something happened and apparently a blood vessel ruptured causing internal bleeding. He passed away on December 18, 1902.
John was buried in the Georgetown, Idaho cemetery
John McCammon was born in Nockamixon, Bucks County, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1839, the only son of Samuel and Sarah McCammon. He may have been an only child as no records of other children have been found. He may have been named after his grandfathers who were both named John. His military records describe him as being 5' 7'' in height with a dark complexion, grey eyes, and black hair.
Nothing has been found to tell of life in his early years.
The property next to the McCammon's was owned by John and Margaret Houseworth. John married their daughter Mary Jane on October 18, 1859. They were married at her father's home by Elder John N. Spoore, pastor of the Milford Christian Church.
John built a home in Nockamixon and they settled into married life. John and Mary Jane had several children but most of their children did not survive to adulthood. One of their daughters, Lillian, kept a bible in which she recorded marriages, births, and deaths. Copies of it are included in a history written by James McCammon, a great grandson.
On December 6th, 1860, a little girl was born and they named her Sarah Maria. Their happiness was short lived because she died just three days after Christmas, December 28, 1860.
Their next child was born April 21, 1862. They named him Samuel after John's father. One again death claimed their baby. Samuel died when he was only three months old.
John was intensely interested in his country and was concerned about the political state of affairs. The country was soon divided and engaged in civil war. On August 19, 1862 he left his wife and home and enlisted in the army of the United States. He was severely wounded in the battle of the Monocacy River, Maryland. He was struck by a rifle ball in the lower part of the thigh. As the forces retreated he was left lying in the mud. He was soon found by four rebel soldiers one of which drew his bayonet to behead the _________ Yankee. An officer commanded him to put away his bayonet and John's life was spared. He lay in the mud for nearly 18 hours before he was found by medics from his regiment. The bone was completely shattered and despite probing the ball was not found. The result was that his leg was shortened by about two inches which caused him to walk with a profound limp the rest of his life. After being in the ward for about a month he was able to get around on crutches, but remained in the hospital until the bone had healed and all abscesses had healed. He was honorably discharged on December 17, 1864. This account may give his descendants some idea of the hardships and trials that he endured. It had an everlasting effect on him as evidenced by the time he later spent in the Veterans Home in Boise, Idaho.
John was never very far from home during his time in the service so he was able to get home from time to time. During this time a third child was born, John Lambert, October 3, 1863. John lived for many years and eventually went west with the family.
Following the war (about 1869-70) John and Mary Jane left Pennsylvania and moved to Kansas. They had three children at the time of the move, John, Ella, and William. Some of Mary Jane's family accompanied them on their move to Junction City, Kansas. Three more children were born while in Kansas, Margaret, Calvin, and Arthur. Margaret died at eight months of age and Calvin died at eleven months of age.
They soon moved from Kansas to Corrine, Utah where they spent at least two years before moving to Willard, Utah. Olive May and Lillie were born in Corrine. Olive only lived three years and died after the family had moved to Willard. John had a large family and it became larger with the addition of triplets born in Willard on December 6, 1880. They were named, Mary, Martha, and Joseph. Once again their happiness was short lived. Martha died April 24, Mary died April 29, and Joseph died May 2, 1881. It is believed they all died of whooping cough.
The family made one more move. This time they moved to the Bear Lake country in Idaho. The older members established homesteads about ten miles north of Georgetown, Idaho. It was an area close to the Bear River called Cavanaugh.
John didn't stay on the homestead too long. He often spoke of his dislike for the Bear Lake country. It wasn't too long before he left and went to live at the veteran's home in Boise. Mary Jane declined going with him and stayed in the area with her family.
John spent several years in Boise before finally returning home. He was only home about a year before he died. One afternoon he was helping his son unload a sleigh full of logs. Something happened and apparently a blood vessel ruptured causing internal bleeding. He passed away on December 18, 1902.
John was buried in the Georgetown, Idaho cemetery
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