Biographical Sketch of

Thomas J Crabtree

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 780 - 781 


Thomas J. Crabtree is engaged in blacksmithing in Green Lake Station, Wis., and is numbered among its leading 
citizens.  His birth occurred on the 4th day of May, 1835, in Allegany County, N. Y., and he is a son of John 
and Cynthia (Hicks) Crabtree, whose family numbered seven children.  At an early day in the history of America 
three brothers of the name of Crabtree left their home in England, crossed the broad Atlantic, and settled in 
the New England States.  From one of them is descended the branch of the family of which our subject is a member.  
His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Crabtree, followed farming in his native State for some years.  He, however, 
after his marriage, removed with his family to McHenry County, Ill., where the death of both himself and wife 
occurred at an advanced age.  Ten children were born unto them, seven sons and three daughters.
 
Of that family John Crabtree was a member.  His birth occurred Dec. 11, 1804, and in his native State he was 
reared to manhood, learning during the days of his youth the trade of a tanner and currier.  When he had attained 
his majority he was joined in wedlock with Miss Hicks, and while residing in the Empire State their union was 
blessed with four children.  The year 1839 witnessed their removal from their old home to McHenry County, Ill., 
where another child was born unto them.  In 1847 they came to Green Lake County, Wis., where the family circle 
was increased by the birth of two children.  Mr. Crabtree entered 160 acres of land on section 19, Brooklyn 
Township, where both himself and wife passed their declining years.  He began life without capital, but became 
a well-to-do farmer, and was living in comfortable circumstances at the time of his death.  He was a Republican 
in politics, and like so many others of that party, previous to its organization, had affiliated with the Whig 
party.
 
The early life of Thomas J. Crabtree was passed in the usual manner of farmer lads, but as he did not desire to 
make farming his life occupation, at the age of eighteen years he left home and began learning the blacksmith's 
trade, which he has since followed with the exception of about fourteen months spent in the service of his country.  
On the 18th day of February, 1863, he enlisted as a member of Company I, 31st Wisconsin Regiment, and for that 
length of time was engaged in his country's cause.  After doing guard duty in Tennessee for awhile, his command 
joined Sherman's army, participating in the siege of Atlanta and the March to the Sea.  They then continued 
northward until reaching Bentonville, N. C., where one of the last engagements of the war was brought on.  Our 
subject took an active part in that battle receiving a wound in the left hand, on account of which he receives 
a small pension.
 
Mr. Crabtree has been twice married.  On the 4th day of July, 1861, he led to the marriage altar Miss Charlotte 
Rogers, a native of Bradford County, Pa., born March 10, 1840.  They had two children:  Fremont R., a draftsman 
and farmer, also engaged in teaching during the winter, and Lottie G.  The death of the mother occurred in March, 
1877, and on the 30th of June, 1878, Mr. Crabtree wedded Julia Rogers, a sister of his former wife.  She was born 
in Bradford County, Pa., and is a daughter of Bela and Celestia (DeWitt) Rogers, the former a native of Connecticut, 
born Feb. 2, 1802, the latter of Pennsylvania, born Oct. 18, 1814.  In 1855 they came to Green Lake County and 
located in the town of Brooklyn, where Mr. Rogers died in 1872.  While residing in the East he was a lumber merchant, 
but followed farming in this county.  His wife still survives him.  They were parents of four children, but Mrs. 
Crabtree is the only one now living.
 
Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, and Fremont is a communicant of the Congregational 
Church.  The family are supporters of the Republican party.  The farm of Mr. Crabtree, comprising 170 acres, is 
one of the finest in the town of Brooklyn, and its entire surroundings indicate the thrift and enterprise of the 
owner.  He is one of the progressive citizens of the community, ready to aid in the advancement of all public 
enterprises which are calculated to promote the general welfare, and is a warm friend to education, having given 
his children liberal advantages in that direction, thus fitting them for lives of usefulness and honor.
  





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