My Genealogy Hound

John B. Crocker, merchant and dealer in hardware at Aurora Springs, is the fourth in a family of eight children born to Abner and Clara (Hewes) Crocker. The father was born in Kennebec County, Me., was a farmer by occupation, and died near the old homestead at the age of seventy-five years. John B. Crocker was born in Penobscot County, Me., near Bangor, May 24, 1839; was reared to farm life, and attended the common schools up to the age of fourteen years. He then engaged as clerk for a railroad company, was thus employed for one year, and then made a trip to Havana as cabin boy. From there he came to Osage County, Mo., and began learning the carpenter trade with Samuel Hurt, remaining with him three years. He was married in 1859 to Miss Nancy Sullens, a native of Miller County, Mo. Her parents, John and Malinda Sullens, came to Kentucky about seventy years ago, settling near Spring Garden, entered a large tract of land, which they improved and made a home. They were the parents of ten children. During the late war Mr. Crocker enlisted, and although exempt served occasionally until peace was declared. He then bought land at Hickory Hill, farmed some, but principally worked at his trade until his removal to Morgan County. Later he moved to Miller County, bought a small farm near Pleasant Mount, and there followed agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he sold out and removed to Aurora Springs. He here bought six lots, built a house, and is living in the same at the present time. In the spring of 1885 he discontinued the carpenter trade, having built 373 dwelling-houses and thirty-two barns; thirty-two were built at Gageville and a large number in Aurora Springs. To Mr. and Mrs. Crocker were born seven children: Alice, William H., Malinda, wife of Richard Jones; Edward, Lilly Bell, Rosa, and John J., who possesses marked musical ability. Mr. Crocker’s two sons, William H. and Edward, succeeded him in the carpenter business, and he then engaged in the hardware business with J. M. Williams at Aurora, and is thus engaged at the present time. He is an active Odd Fellow in Miller Lodge No. 462; has been through all the offices, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge twice. He is an active politician, affiliates with the Republican party, and has been a member of the city council. His family are members of the Christian Church. In 1874 Mr. Crocker made a trip to his old home in Maine, after an absence of twenty-one years, visited his parents, who were still hale and hearty, and has many interesting anecdotes to relate of this trip. January 5, 1888, he made a trip to San Diego, Cal., visited San Francisco, and returned by way of Arizona.