George W. Chandler was born in 1831 and died in 1918. His wife, Elizabeth Jane Moore, whom he married in 1856, was born in 1837 and died in 1906. George was a master potter and an inventor. Although his home was in Moingona, Iowa, and later Des Moines, Iowa, he found work in a number of other Midwest potteries in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. In Iowa, he worked and ran the Moingona Pottery Works with Sylvester H. Deering (1875-1877). Together they invented and patented a fence post holder in 1877 and also a new, improved railroad tie. He also made ceramic shoe heels. He became a Master Mason in Dundee, New York, in 1855 and continued to be active in the Masons in Iowa.

The importance of these papers is evident from the following quote from the master's thesis of Allen L. Schroeder entitled The Stoneware Industry in Moingoina, Iowa, An Archeological and Historical Study..., Iowa State University, 1979. "Chandler's material is important because it provides a direct link to the manufacture of pottery in Moingona and gives a unique insight into the archival and archeological date not found in any other sources."

Through the generosity of Eloise Anderson, granddaughter of George W. Chandler, this collection was given to the Department of Special Collections of the Iowa State University Library.

This collection (1851-1971, undated) contains biographical and personal materials, books, family and business correspondence, financial and business records, Freemasonry materials, and newspaper clippings. The personal materials include genealogy records, family wedding photos, a family report card, correspondence. The several folders of correspondence between relatives and professional associates include a letter from Chandler's brother during the Civil War, as well as correspondence between Iowa Savings and Loan containing a copy of Chandler's will. The collection also contains materials from Chandler's interest in Freemasonry such as Masonic newsletters, receipts, application forms, meeting minutes, certificates, and correspondence.

Of particular interest are the records relating to Chandler's business, Moingona Pottery, which include newspaper clippings, correspondence regarding stoneware orders, and by-laws of the Potters Union. The collection also contains a file related to patents he received. Chandler also left behind several bill receipts pertaining to a cemetery lot, coal, newspaper, rent, personal property tax, foundry work, and financial receipts from Iowa Savings and Loan Association.

The collection is listed alphabetically.