CRAIL, Capt. Benjamin F. - 1890 Bio (1828-1924)

CRAIL, DOUGHERTY, MCCASKEY, STEELE, MCCRACKEN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/1/2007 at 22:19:22

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 230-232

Capt. Benjamin F. CRAIL, Of the representative men of Jefferson County, none are more worthy of mention in this volume than the soldier and citizen, Capt. CRAIL. His paternal grandfather, one of the sturdy farmers of Maryland, served as an officer in the Revolutionary War. Having emigrated to Pennsylvania he died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The father of our subject, whose name was also Benjamin, was born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1793, and in his youth was apprenticed to one DeHaven, to learn the millwright's trade, but on the breaking out of the War of 1812, he ran away and enlisted in the army. On the cessation of hostilities, when peace was declared, he returned to his native State and there married Nancy DOUGHERTY, by whom he had ten children, five sons and five daughters. The former all became ship carpenters. The father died in 1846, and subsequently the mother removed to Winterset, Iowa, where she passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. Both were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and desirous that their children should embrace that faith, taught them lessions of piety and honesty. Thought himself not an educated man Mr. CRAIL clearly saw the advantages of education and built a schoolhouse near his home in order that his children might have the best possible advantages.

Capt. CRAIL, whose name heads this sketch, was the fifth child of the family. He was born in Beaver County, Pa., March 19, 1831 [sic - 1828], and after attending select schools took a course in a business college of Pittsburg, Pa. At the age of seventeen years he engaged with an uncle in Freedom, Pa., to learn the ship carpenter's trade, working for him about two years. He then repaired to McKeysport, where a ship was being built that was to sail to California. Full of the youthful spirit of adventure he wished to sail with the crew, but through the persuation of his mother he was restrained from doing so. He worked at his trade in the principal towns along the Ohio River and spent the years of 1850 and 1851, in the navy yard in Memphis, Tenn. Returning to the North, he and a brother took a boatload of merchandise down the river, trading as they went, to Shawneetown, Ill., where they sold out.

Capt. CRAIL was married in 1852, to Miss Charlotte McCASKEY, a native of Washington County, Pa., after which he removed with his bride to New Cumberland, Va., where he started a boat-yard which he ran some four years, after which he established a yard in his native town. He constructed a keel boat and ran it over the rapids when the water was too low for steamboats to pass over. While operating his boat yard he was also engaged as carpenter on board a vessel and served as mate. In April, 1859, Capt. CRAIL sent his wife by rail to Fairfield, Iowa, while he made the trip by water. The following year he drove an ox-team to Pike's Peak, returning just in time to vote for President Lincoln, and until the breaking out of the war he served as deputy recorder under J. A. McKemey.

On the 13th of August, 1861, Mr. CRAIL enlisted as private of Company F, Third Iowa Cavalry. Keokuk was the rendezvous. Toward the close of the month, the Captain of Company F, was sent with a squad of men to capture some rebels at Alexandria, Mo., and in charging across a field fell over some obstacle. Left without a commander private CRAIL led the charge, and was successful in capturing the enemy. On account of the valor displayed on this occasion he was soon after elected and commissioned First Lieutenant.

Having spent some time in Benton Barricks, the forces were ordered into the field December 12, 1861. The winter was spent in capturing ammunition, supplies, and in dispersing rebels. On April 1, 1862, Lieut. CRAIL was promoted to the captaincy of his company, and at Botts' Farm. Calloway County, Mo., while engaged in a battle, he was twice wounded, one slug striking him in the chest ranged downward into the integuments of his stomach where it remained fifty-two days, taking him almost to death's door; the other he still carries. After five months of careful nursing he was able to resume command. The year 1862, and a part of 1863, was spent in fighting guerrillas. His command was engaged with Marmaduke near Pilot Knob, some three or four days or until he crossed the St. Francis River, and on July 1, 1863, the Third Iowa started for Little Rock, fighting as they went. After the capture of the city, Capt. CRAIL was assigned to a position at Benton, Ark., and participated in two raids which resulted in the capture of Arkadelphia and Hot Springs. Returning to Little Rock, he veteranized in January, 1864, after which he spent a month at his home in Fairfield. Repairing to St. Louis, preparations were made to go by boat to Memphis, but just before the departure trouble arose between some of the soldiers and a private citizen. The city police pursued the soldiers to the boat and were going aboard to arrest them, but at this juncture Capt. CRAIL came on the scene. Learning the trouble, he told the police it would be impossible for them to arrest the guilty parties in the presence of their comrades, but that he would have them arrested and taken ashore for trial. Instead of receiving the courteous treatment which he deserved, a policeman struck at him with his club but the blow was fortunately warded off. For a few minutes policemen fell like ripe June apples in a gale and it was only by the coolness and decision of Capt. CRAIL, that a bloody riot was averted. From Memphis the forces were ordered to West Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, and skirmished over a stretch of one hundred and ten miles during which they participated in the battles of Ripley and Guntown. For three days and nights, Capt. CRAIL was not out of his saddle for sleep or rest. He was in the two days fight at Tupelo, and also took part in the Grierson Raid through Mississippi, where from December 21, until January 5, the fighting was an every day business. Having been sent to take five hundred prisonsers to Cairo, Ill., Capt. CRAIL went on with his company to Louisville, Ky., where they received a fresh supply of horses and went on to participate in the brilliant raid of Gen. Wilson. Our Captain, in command of two companies, started two days in advance of the army. Skirmishes were frequent but he was successful in sweeping the enemy before him. Having crossed a bridge on Mohen Creek, the rebels made a desparate effort to hold the bridge and in the struggle Capt. CRAIL had his right arm shattered near the shoulder and was taken in an ambulance to Selma, Ala. Thus gloriously ended his military career. He was mustered out August 9, 1865, at Atlanta, Ga., and discharged on the 23d of the same month, at Davenport, Iowa. Many of the above facts were gleaned from the Adjutant-General's report.

In August, 1873, Capt. CRAIL was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who left six children: James B., a merchant of Washington, Iowa; William H., who is agent on the California Southern Railroad; Susan S., wife of E. W. STEELE; Robert M., who is connected with a hotel at Junction City, Kas.; David E., who runs a dairy in Fairfield, and Frank A. On March 5, 1877, the Captain wedded Mrs. STEELE, Whose maiden name was Nancy S. McCRACKEN, and unto them have been born twin boys, Joe S. and Charles S., who are as near alike as the Antipholuses in Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors."

Captain CRAIL is a Republican in politics and both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He was Deputy Surveyor under Isaac Crumley and Judge Fulton, served as Deputy Sheriff several terms, and since 1883, has been Surveyor of the county proving an able and efficient officer.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.