Henry Crawford (1911)

CRAWFORD, WHITE

Posted By: Madison County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/18/2016 at 14:23:15

The Vinton Eagle
Tuesday, April 18, 1911
Page 1, Column 3

HONORED VETERAN CALLED BY DEATH

Henry Crawford, a Veteran of the Civil War, Passed Away at the Home of His Daughter Friday

The longevity of the veterans of the Civil War who live in Vinton and Benton county is as strong as in any part of the United States yet they are speedily passing away. The last to answer the final summons is Henry Crawford, who passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edwin Bassett, in Vinton, April 14th, 1911, aged 74 years, 27 days. He was born in Ohio March 18, 1837.

He was married to Miss Catherine A. White, of Muskingum County, Ohio, on the 16th day of October, 1863. To this union four children were born, viz: Hilles, of Watkins, Iowa; Addie, of Vinton, Iowa; Floren, of Sacramento, California, and Bert of Waterloo, Iowa. All of these, together with an adopted daughter, Flossie, now Mrs. Frederick Evans, of Oasis, Iowa, survive. All were present at the funeral which was held yesterday (Monday, April 17,) at the Methodist church, and conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. F. Spry, except Floren, who was absent on account of distance.

He was a soldier of the Civil War. He responded to President Lincoln's call in 1861 and on November 2, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 78 Ohio infantry volunteers. For more than three years where the boys of the 78th marched, he marched; where they fought he fought; were they suffered privation, he suffered, and when at last the war was over, those who had not given up their lives marched home again. He was with them, and began, in his own way, to do his part in the reconstruction of the land he had fought to save.

At the close of the war he hastened to Madison County, Iowa, where his bride had preceded him. There he established a home and lived for many years. In the spring of 1884 he, with his family, moved to Benton county, settling near Vinton, where he lived still Feb. 28, 1899, when his wife was taken to her heavenly home. From the death of his wife he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Addie Bassett, though often visiting his other children where he was always welcomed.

The deceased was a member of P. M. Coder Post, G. A. R., for many years. Although declining years, and the effects of his army life, often were a tax upon his vitality, whenever his comrades met he always tried to meet with them. To him it was a happiness to clasp hands and speak a word with those who once wore the blue.

Early in life united with the Methodist church, and throughout the years lived a consistent christian life.

Retiring and unassuming in his nature he was beloved by all who knew him. In his death his family loses a kind father; his friends lose one who always appreciated them, and his comrades a comrade whose heart always beat in sympathy with theirs and whose hand was ever extended to help.