Biographical Sketch of

Samuel Crockett

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 455 - 457

Samuel Crockett, of Westfield, has the honor of being the oldest established merchant of Marquette County, having 
been engaged in business since 1859, and is numbered among the most prominent citizens of the community.  He is a 
native of Manchester, England, his birth having occurred in that city on the 10th of May, 1821.  His parents were 
Thomas and Sarah (Goodall) Crockett, who continued to reside in England until death.  They were the parents of 
thirteen children, eight of whom grew to mature years, while several of the family are still living in England.

Our subject is the only one who ever came to America.  At the age of thirteen years he began working in a hospital 
which was an auxiliary to the Manchester Royal Hospital, and when sixteen years of age was apprenticed to the trade 
of a tailor, serving a full term, during which time he thoroughly mastered the business.  In June, 1843, we find him 
upon the bosom of the Atlantic en route for America.  He landed in New York City, where he secured work at his trade, 
but afterward was employed as journeyman tailor at various points in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, and New 
Jersey.  He finally located in Stewartsville, Warren County, of the last named State, where he engaged in business 
for himself.  In that city Mr. Crockett was married in September, 1852, to Miss Eliza Snyder, who was born in 
Stewartsville, and is a daughter of Frederick Snyder, who was one of the early settlers of that city, and a descendant 
of one of the early Dutch families of this country.

Believing that the West furnished better opportunities than were afforded by the older States of the East, in the month 
of April, 1856, Mr. Crockett accompanied by his family, consisting of wife and one child, started for Wisconsin, and in 
the early part of May following, arrived in Westfield, Marquette County.  Resuming work at his trade as a merchant 
tailor, he continued operations in that line until 1859, when as before stated, he embarked in merchandising, and has 
since been engaged in that business.  Probably no man is more wildly or favorably known in Marquette County than our 
subject.  As a business man he has been unusually successful.  His public career has been characterized by careful 
management and honorable, upright dealing with all, and his absolute integrity and honesty of purpose have never been 
questioned.  The esteem and confidence in which he is held, are illustrated by the frequent and continuous calls which 
he has received to fill important official positions.  He has almost constantly occupied some office, and it is needless 
to say has ever discharged his duties with great promptness and fidelity.  He was Coroner of Marquette County for eight 
terms, from 1856 to 1874, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for almost a quarter of a century, and is the 
present encumbent.  In 1876, he was elected to the State Legislature and has also held many school offices.  This cause 
of education has ever found in him a true friend, and every worthy enterprise calculated to benefit the community, has 
received his hearty support and influence.

Since coming to Marquette County, the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Crockett has been increased by the birth of three 
children, but only one son, George B., is now living.  He was born in Westfield, Oct. 9, 1858, and received a good 
English education, which was supplemented by a course in the Oshkosh Commercial College, from which he graduated in 
the Class of 1881.  He has received his practical business education under the instruction of his father, of whose 
business he now has charge.  He was married in August, 1883, to Miss Elizabeth Roberts, daughter of Edward and Mary 
Roberts, who were formerly residents of Adams County, Wis., but are now deceased.  Two children have been born to 
George and Elizabeth Crockett, Ethel L. and Samuel E.

Our subject, Samuel Crockett, is a supporter of the Democratic party, politically, but is liberal in his religious 
views.  He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church; he does not now affiliate with any denomination, but gives 
liberally of his means in support of all.  His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.  He is ripe in years of 
experience in mercantile life, and has made himself a place among the substantial and wealthy citizens of Marquette 
County.  In that way he has also learned much concerning the character and motives of men and is generally correct in 
his judgment of his fellow-citizens and their enterprises.  Mr. Crockett was present, and was a witness of the opening 
of the Manchester & Liverpool Railroad in August, 1830.  That was the first locomotive railway operated by steam in the 
world.  Stephenson, the famous inventor, was present on the occasion, as was also the Duke of Wellington, both of whom 
Mr. Crockett well remembers.

In 1874, more than thirty years after leaving England, Mr. Crockett visited his native land, leaving home in April, 
and returning in August.  He found that the place of his birth and early life had undergone many changes, yet many of 
the old landmarks were still remaining.  He spent a few weeks in a very enjoyable manner with old friends and 
acquaintances, and at length returned home.  Though his visit was a pleasant one, and he still feels an abiding love 
for England as the land of his birth, he realizes that America is his home, and has no wish that it should be otherwise. 
His many relatives and friends showed their high appreciation of him during his visit, by presenting him with a 
congratulatory address which expresses in the most complimentary terms the high regard and esteem in which he is held 
by those who knew him in early life. The address is made with a pen, and is a fine specimen of artistic skill.

It is with pleasure that we are able to present to the readers of the Album this sketch, though imperfect it may be, of 
one of Marquette County's most esteemed and worthy citizens, who deserves a place in the permanent records of the 
representative men of Marquette County. Mr. Crockett is a charter member of the F. & A. M., Westfield Lodge No. 227. 
His son George B., is a charter member of the same lodge, Ft. Winnebago Chapter No. 14, and Ft. Winnebago Commandery 
No. 4, both located at Portage City. See portrait.






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