- JOHN CRALL, deceased, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 3,
1804, and was the son of
- Matthias and Elizabeth CRALL. His father was a native of
Pennsylvania, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. His
ancestors were of Dutch origin, and the family was established
in America prior to the Revolution.
- The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and with
his father's family removed to Richland
- County, Ohio, in 1822. He was married in that county on the
20th day of December, 1825, to Miss Sarah LASER, who was born
in Perry County, Pa., Nov. 11, 1806, and was the daughter of
Christian and Nancy LASER. They became the parents of ten children,
five sons and five daughters: Susanna is the wife of Thomas HARRINGTON,
and resides in Manchester, Iowa; Jacob died at the age of eighteen
years; Elizabeth, wife of Watkins DAVIS, died, age thirty-seven
years; Jerry died when one year of age; Christopher married Miss
Katie LASER, and lives in the town of Center, in Rock County;
Amanda is the wife of Charles SKELLY, a merchant of Janesville;
Amos wedded Miss Christiana SKELLY, and is a retired farmer residing
in Janesville; Joshua was the first white child born in Spring
Valley (March 1, 1842), and has been twice married, his first
wife being Miss Rebecca BROWN. His present wife was Mrs. Sarah
HESSHEISER, and they live in Center Township; Maria died at the
age of two years; and Harriet M., of Janesville, was married
to William STEVENS.
- In 1840 Mr. CRALL emigrated from Ohio to Wisconsin with his
family, traveling by team, and
- reached Janesville on the 18th day of October. Two months
later he opened a farm in the town of Spring Valley, where he
continued to reside until the spring of 1846, when he removed
to Center, Rock County. He there purchased a large tract of land,
and at one time owned upwards of 900 acres, but subsequently
reduced his acreage by deeding it to his children, yet for a
long time had over 500 acres.
- Mrs. CRALL, who was a kind mother and an affectionate and
faithful wife, died on the 15th day
- of February, 1860. She belonged to the Presbyterian Church,
and was one of its consistent members. Mr. CRALL was again married
at Janesville, June 17, 1863, his second union being with Miss
Mary TRUMBULL, a native of New York. She still survives her husband,
and makes her home in Janesville. She is a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
- Mr. CRALL was a Democrat in politics, and while he took a
warm interest in political matters, he
- was never desirous of holding public office. He was a genial,
kind-hearted man, of liberal hospitality, and his house in early
days was the headquarters of land seekers and new settlers until
they could secure homes of their own. In those pioneer days,
when people were more or less dependent upon their neighbors
for favors, he was always ready to accommodate, and was open-handed
in generous assistance to those in need. Industrious and thrifty,
he was recognized as one of the most prominent farmers of Rock
County. His death occurred very suddenly, on the 17th day of
February, 1877, at his home in Center Township, and his loss
was sincerely mourned by a large circle of relatives, friends
and acquaintances. His funeral was one of the largest ever known.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 359-360.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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