George Croft

As printed in 1881

GEORGE CROFT (deceased). Few men were better known in the early settlement of Bethel Township than the old pioneer whose name heads this biography. He was born in York Co., Penn., in November, 1771, and his parents, Jacob Croft and wife, were natives of Germany, who settled in the American Colonies, and who espoused the patriot cause in the Revolutionary war; Jacob fighting throughout that struggle against English tyranny. They raised a large family, George being one of the number, and all were reared to farm life. Ata matured age, George went to Virginia, where he married Mary Critz, Nov. 18, 1799, she being a native of Botetourt County, born in November, 1779. In 1804, he, wife and two children came to Bethel Township, Clark Co., Ohio, and settled in Sec. 8, on the hill where Martin Snyder now lives. Building a log cabin in the dense forest, he bravely went to work to make a home and competence for his family; and how be succeeded is well known over the county, owning as he did, at the time of his death, over 800 acres of fine land, all the legitimate result of the constant, unceasing toil of himself and family. To George and Mary Croft were born the following children: John, George (deceased), Elizabeth (the deceased wife of Peter Minnich), Jacob, Michael (deceased), Mary Ann (the widow of James Leffel, the noted inventor), Frederick, David and Henry, the latter also a well-known inventor. His wife died Feb. 7, 1846, and he was again married, to a Mrs. Wyland, but enjoyed that companionship only a short time, when death called him from the scenes of his earthly labors, Oct. 16, 1855, in his 85th year; and he and wife now sleep side by side in the beautiful cemetery of Fern Cliff, a handsome monument making their last resting place, put there by an affectionate family, who still fondly cherish their memory. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and was the main instrument in the building and support of the “Croft Church,” which has since been moved to Donnelsville. Politically, he was a Democrat, and few men were better neighbors than this sturdy old Pennsylvanian, who was many, honest, kind and obliging in all things, and his well-known expression of “ I say so," convinced the listener that what he said was true, as well as marked him as a man of integrity, courage and determination.

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.