John Templeton Brisco Cresap 1831-1907

CRESAP, WASHINGTON, SIDERS, BROWN, FRIEND

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/10/2014 at 20:27:53

John Templeton Brisco Cresap.

Born May 19, 1831 in Marysville, Tenn. Died December 17, 1907 in Eldon, Ia.

The only son of Dr. R. N. Cresap Sr. and Angeline Cresap.

He removed with his father to Bonaparte in 1833, his father being the first of the Cresap family who made their homes in southern Iowa.

His father in connection with the Meek Bros., laying out and founding the town of Bonapaprte, Dr. Cresap engaged in the hotel business and preempting land, this hotel being prominently identified with the early history of Iowa as it was one of the principal stopping places on the stage coach line between Des Moines and Keokuk. Mr. Cresap was widely known among the traveling public.

The renowned chief Black Hawk was an intimate friend and frequent visitor at his fathers home and in this way he became familiar with the Indian History of Iowa as recounted by this famous chieftain.

Within his own recollections Mr. Cresap has seen Iowa grow from a territory to a popular commonwealth of two and half millions of people and the reminiscences of the lives of the early settlers were exceedingly interesting and true History.

Mr. Cresap can easily claim the distinction of being one among the oldest continuous settlers of Van Buren county all his life but seven years having been spent here in this county.

Mr. Cresap received his education in Tennessee making the trips by boat on the Mississippi and Ohio and across the mountains on horse.

By occupation he was a stationary engineer. He was married in 1851 (or 1854?) to Caroline Washington of Iowaville, Iowa and to this union are born six children; Walter and Mary deceased, Dr. R. N. Cresap Jr., Bonaparte, Ia., Henry Clay Cresap, St. Joseph, Mo., Keith Cresap, Missoula, Montana, Emma Cresap Siders, Centerville, Ia. Caroline Cresap died April 25, 1872 and on July 16, 1874 he was married to Mary Emily Brown to this union was born, Grace Cresap Friend, Eldon, Ia., Jean Teresa Belle Cresap, Glenwood, Ia.

Funeral services were held from the home of his daughter, Mrs. Friend at Eldon, Ia., Dec. 19, 1907, Rev. Tuttle of the Methodist church conducting the services. Relatives and friends from Bonaparte attend the services.

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA