For
Muscatine County Iowa
1879
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1879 | |
Here is what the abbreviations in the bios stand for: far: farm; Co.: company or county; dir: dealer; IVA: Iowa Volunteer Artillery; IVC: Iowa Volunteer Cavalry; IVI: Iowa Volunteer Infantry; P.O.: Post Office; S. or Sec.: section; and st.: street.
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Biographical Section, 1879, page 642
W. H. CROCKER, Port Allen; dealer in dry goods, general merchandise and grain, also owns about 219 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; and his wife owns 176 acres of land mostly in Washington Co., besides a house and two lots in Port Allen; Mr. C. was born Oct.9, 1821, in Devonshire, England. Married there Fanny E. Tyte in March, 1842; she was born in January, 1822. On the 4th day of May, 1846, they set sail at Biddeford, England, for the United States; when near the Azores Islands, the vessel was struck by a severe gale, breaking off the rudder, leaving the vessel at the mercy of the storm; they soon fell in with a vessel of the Cunard line, which took them in tow back toward the coast of Ireland; a temporary rudder was constructed and they attempted to make the port themselves, but their rudder proved of little value, and they were again driven toward the shore and near the rocks, when all on board expected almost every minute to be dashed to pieces; however, fortunately the wind changed and drove the vessel to sea, and they finally succeeded in making Crook Haven Harbor, where they remained ten days for repairs, when they again set sail, and, after being out about six weeks, when near the coast of Newfoundland, they ran out of provisions and were rationed several days on half a sea biscuit and a pint of stagnant water a day, having to use the rum in the water to drink it; Mr. C. was the first to discover the topsail of a vessel which they signaled and brought to their relief, and for six weeks following were dependent upon fishing and what supplies they could get from other vessels; they finally made Quebec Canada, Aug, 28, 1846; he soon after came on to Genesee Co., Mich; in the spring of 1854, came to Oakland, Louisa Co., Iowa; purchased a farm, upon which part of the town was subsequently platted; engaged in dealing in and shipping stock in connection with farming; in 1858, engaged in mercantile business; in the fall of 1872, moved his store, building and goods to Port Allen. Has served as Township Clerk. Has six children living---William H., Agnes H., Samuel, Stephen, Frances E. and George; lost two---Ada and Robert; his son William H., Jr., served his country in Co.E of the 16th I.V.I.; enlisted in October, 1862, and re-enlisted as a veteran in April, 1864; participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, siege and battles of Corinth, Iuka, Jackson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and subsequently at Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta and Savannah; was promoted to Sergeant at the battle of Vicksburg; mustered out at Davenport in July, 1865. Greeenbacker.
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