John B. Croft

As printed in 1881

JOHN B. CROFT, farmer; P. O. Springfield; born on the farm where he now resides, May 19, 1842; is a son of John and Margaret (Leffel) Croft, natives of Virginia, but came to Ohio with their parents about 1804, he being then about 3 years of age; was raised in Bethel Township, and followed the milling and distilling business. Was married there and followed his tradé about eleven years; thence bought the place where he now resides; there carried on his former business, milling and distilling, until the war of the rebellion, when he closed up the latter business, but continued the milling till about five years ago, when, from his advanced age, he retired from active business. Mr. Croft was one of the early pioneers, and experienced a full share of the hardships, and ups and down of pioneer life. Industrious and prompt in all his business relations, and ever maintaining an undoubted integrity of character. Of seven daughters and three sons, six now survive—David, Catharine, John B., Jane, Paulina and Laura B. Our subject always remained with his father. Was married, April 27, 1880, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Aaron Rockafield, a native of Virginia. During the war of the rebellion, on Aug. 16, 1862, Mr. Croft enlisted in the 17th Ohio Battery, and served through the war in the Army of the Mississippi. Was in the conflicts of Vicksburg and Port Gibson, and most of the conflicts of the Mississippi Valley, having in all been in seventy-two days of active, hard fighting, but escaped without a wound, and at the close of the war received an honorable discharge and returned safely to home and friends. Mr. Croft is held in high esteem in his community, having the general confidence of the people. Has held the office of Township Trustee for the last three ears.

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.