George Cruikshank was living and working in the mercantile business in Fort Dodge, Iowa when he enlisted in the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment in August, 1861. Cruikshank and other men from Fort Dodge went to Dubuque to enlist and were attached to the Pennsylvania unit, apparently because there were not enough men to form an Iowa unit. He served until September 20, 1864 when he returned to Iowa. In December, 1864 he married Esther M. Flowers of Humboldt County, Iowa. He worked in the mercantile trade in Fort Dodge and Dakota City before taking up farming in Humboldt County in 1875. He held various Humboldt County offices, including township clerk, secretary of the school board, postmaster at Dakota City and Addison, and chairman of the Humboldt Creamery Company.
From the description of George L. Cruikshank Civil War letters, 1862 Feb.-1864 Sept. (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 180306956
