Benjamin F. Crocker was born 2 October 1821 in Franklin Co, Indiana, son of Benjamin CROCKER (born MA?/NJ? ca 1783, died in Franklin County, Indiana ca 1851) and wife Elizabeth BOURNE/Born/etc. (b. NJ?) At the time of BFC’s parents’ marriage: 24 Jan 1807 in Barnstable, MA, Betsey Born was “of Sandwich” and BC was “of Barnstable”.]
[sources: A Genealogical & Biographical History of Keokuk Co, IA; Lewis Publ. Co; 1903; Pgs 156-159. <http://iagenweb.org/keokuk/biographies/1903G&B/BENJAMIN_F_CROCKER.htm> ;
<https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-31533-209-62?cc=2061550&wc=MX1D-62S:353349701,353366701,353369001>]
On 4 Feb 1841 in Franklin Co, Indiana, Benjamin was married to Elizabeth CASSADAY by Minister of the Gospel Joab Stout.
[source: 1.”Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11763-27538-75?cc=1410397 : accessed 20 Aug 2014) Digital Image: Court clerk recorded marriage license and return.
Benjamin and Elizabeth had perhaps 7 children in Franklin and Decatur counties in Indiana before settling – by 1860 – in Steady Run Twp, Keokuk Co, IA, where they had at least 2 more children before Elizabeth died on 3 May 1871. Perry She is buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Hayesville, Keokuk County, IA. Forty-seven years later, Benjamin died at 96 yrs of age on 2 April 1918 and is also buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
[Sources: 1850 to 1880 US Federal Censuses; Find-a-Grave:
<http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=44063126> and
< http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=98649899>
and aforesaid History of Keokuk Co IA.]
Perry Crocker (b. Dec 1849 Decatur Co IN) — the 5th child of Benjamin and Elizabeth in the 1850 census, is the child from whom descends this line to the member of Laura Belle Stoddard Tent 22, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865.
On 1861, Benjamin enlisted in Company I of the First Iowa Cavalry. He served a 3 year 3 month term; and was given an honorable discharge at expiration of service. Here is his service record, according to<https://archive.org/stream/rosterrecordofio41iowa/rosterrecordofio41iowa_djvu.txt> Text of “Roster and record of Iowa soldiers in the War of the Rebellion : together with historical sketches of volunteer organizations, 1861-1866” by Brig Gen Guy E. Logan: Iowa, Adjutant General; Vol 4, Part 1, Page 56:
“Crocker, Benjamin F. Age 38. Residence Martinsburg, nativity Indiana. Enlisted June 13, 1861, as Fourth Sergeant. Mustered Aug. 3. 1861. Promoted Second Sergeant Sept. 1, 1862; Company Commissary Sergeant Dec. 11, 1862; Company Quartermaster Sergeant March 13 1863. Mustered out Sept. 9, 1864, Davenport, Iowa, expiration of term of service.”
The 1st Iowa Cavalry was the first 3-year Cavalry regiment accepted for Federal service in the Civil War, according to Wikipedia: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Regiment_Iowa_Volunteer_Cavalry> This page also notes, “Unusually for a Union cavalry regiment, the members of the regiment provided their own horses and equipment.”
Benjamin Franklin Crocker was an outstanding citizen of Martinsburg, Keokuk County, Iowa, as a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, charter member of the first Masonic lodge in Martinsburg, and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church there. According to family lore, Benjamin had been wounded by a sword cut during the Civil War, resulting in his use of a cane for the remainder of his life.
[source: A Genealogical & Biographical History of Keokuk Co, IA; Lewis Publ. Co; 1903; Pgs 156-159. <http://iagenweb.org/keokuk/biographies/1903G&B/BENJAMIN_F_CROCKER.htm>]
cjmt; Aug 2014