Crandall, Levi Parker 1845-1925

CRANDALL, BICKNELL, COX, LANE

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 1/4/2012 at 21:31:46

Humboldt Independent
Feb. 26, 1925

Levi Parker Crandall was born in East Pierrepont, St. Lawrence county, New York on May 10, 1845 and died at Humboldt, Iowa Feb. l9th, 1925, aged 71 years 9 months and 9 days. He was the son of George and Maria P. (Bicknell) Crandall. He was a descendant of a long line of early military ancestry on both his father's and mother's side. For seven generations they served in military service for the Colonies and the United States as early as 1675 in the Queen Ann war, the King Phillip war, the French and Indian war, the war of the Revolution and also in 1812-1814.

Four great grandparents in the Revolutionary war were: Gideon Crandall, who served one year in a Rhode Island regiment, Lieut. Levi Parker, a nephew of Captian John Parker of Lexington fame, then on his mothers side Josiah Bicknell, who served three years and was at Valley Forge with Washington during the winter of 1777-78. His great great grandfather Captain Thomas Abbe of Enfield, Conn. when word came of the battle of Lexington drummed the congregation out of the meeting house at a mid-week meeting on April 20, 1875. Before night 75 men started on horseback for Boston to serve in military duty.

His grandfather Shubert Crandall enlisted at Royalton, Vt. in 1814 and served one year. His father George Crandall was a 2nd Lieut. and 1st Lieut. them Capt in a New York state militia company for a period of fully 12 years.

Levi Parker Crandall, Private Co A 7th New York heavy artillery enrolled on Feb 25, 1862 to serve 3 years during the war. He was discharged Feb 21, 1865 at Montpelier, Vt. by reason of surgeon's certificate of disability for wounds received in battle, his injury being a gun shot wound in the head.

The 7th New York heavy artillery was organized at Albany, NY as the 113th infantry during 1862. Dec 10, 1862 it was converted into the 7th NY heavy artillery and recruited to its full compliment of men. In August 1862 it left for the seat of war and on arrival at Washington it occupied forts in the vicinity in the defenses of Washington. It remained in the defenses until May 1864 when it was ordered to join our army of the Potomac.

It took part in the battle at Spotsylvania Court House (a 12 day battle) and in the following engagements, Harris House, Milford Station, North Anna, Cains Mills, Totopotmy Creek, and Coal Harbor, where Mr Crandall was severely injured with a gun shot wound in the head on June 4th, 1864. Other battles followed and the total loss in the regiment was 85 men greater than any other regiment from NY state, total loss of life during service being 1491 men.

Levi Parker Crandall and Edna Prudence Cox were married at Potsdam, N.Y., on March 16, 1869. They moved to Iowa in 1872 locating in Osceola county. Severe winters and grasshoppers were the principal reasons for their leaving the homestead after living on it for 3 1/2 years. They lived in Minneapolis, Minn., for some five years, but in 1880 returned to Iowa where they have since resided.

For many years Mr. Crandall was in poor health due to his advanced age and the effects of his wound received while in the service. He leaves to mourn his loss, the wife and the three children. Harry B. of Chicago, Elmer G. and Mrs. Gertrude Lane of Humboldt, Iowa. He also has one sister and other relatives living, most of whom live in the east.

Funeral services were held at the Unitarian church in Humboldt Sunday Feb 23, 9125, Rev. L.L. Leh in charge of the service. Appropriate music was rendered by the choir of favorite songs of Mr. Crandall "The Faded Coat of Blue" and a solo by Mrs. June Leland. "My Father's Flag and Mine." Interment was made at Union cemetery.