This summary file was written by Mike Shaver - Summer 1998 following Crye genealogical gatherings in
La Cross, Wisconsin.
| Generation 1 | Generation 2 | Generation 3 |
1. WILLIAM1 DAVIS1 was born Abt. 1756 in Virginia, and died 1815 in Greenbrier/Monroe Co., West Virginia. He married MARY PACKWOOD2 Abt. 1780 in Greenbrier/Monroe Co., West Virginia.
Notes for WILLIAM DAVIS:
Family legend and records from the family Bible of Richard and Edney Davis tell of Willaim Davis being captured by indians when he was a small boy. His parents were allegedly killed and he was taken by the indians to live in a Shawnee village on the Sandusky Plains (Ohio?). It is also recorded that he witnessed his uncle being tied to a tree and burned to death. Researcher Judy Hopkins believes that the incident could have been the "Massacre at Muddy Creek" in 1763 in the vicinity of what is now Monroe County, West Viginia. William was subsequently adopted by an indian woman who had lost a child about his own age. He reportedly lived with the Shawnee until his early twenties when he learned that he had a brother still living and went to find him in the "White Man's Settlement". His brother was not present when he arrived but the settlers, knowing the story of his capture, tricked him into staying by having another man impersonate his brother temporarily. The following day when his real brother arrived, William denounced all white men as liars and decievers and returned to the indians. But at a later date he reportedly returned to his brother's cabin where he stayed. Family lore handed down over the years recounts numerous versions of how William's indian step mother would often leave token gifts for him at the edge of the woods near his cabin - but would never venture up to his dwelling.
In a Court Order Book dated 11 March, 1777 from Greenbrier/Botetourt Co. Virginia: The Commonwealth versus Willaim Davis and John VanBibber. The defendants were arraigned for Disloyalty. VanBibber's case was dismissed, but Davis was held bound to the Court, because he knew how to make gun powder and had signified his intention of going back among the indians with whom he had lived for twenty years. As a result he was not allowed to leave The Commonwealth for one year. Reference to this case is also found in a book called "Kegley's Virginia Frontier".
The Bible record of Edney Thomas Davis states that William married Mary (Molly) Packwood in 1777, but there is no official record to confirm this since all marriage records in that area prior to 1780 were destroyed or obliterated. Molly's parents are unknown but it is believed that she was related to the Packwoods of Patrick County, Viginia. William is listed as a member of the Greenbrier Baptist Church and is recorded as having been recieved as a member "by experience" in 1803.
William was subsequently very active in the affairs of Greenbrier and that part which would eventually become Monroe County, W/VA. He is mentioned often in county records with other early settlers such as George Dixon, the VanBibbers, and the Ellisons. John VanBibber built a powder mill where William apparently learned to make gun powder. The VanBibbers and the Dixons were also involved in the founding of Point Pleasant on the Ohio River, but there is no record of William's participation in this venture. He is identified as the owner of 108 acres near the Greenbrier River in 1781 by the Index of West Virginia Land Grants. On 1 May 1794 it is recorded that William and Mary Davis were involved with Frederick and Clara Stoner in the sale of land totaling 318 acres to James Graham. Clearly many of the records of his land dealings have been lost since he disposed of considerably more acreage in his will.
Records of Greenbrier County list William Davis as a "taxable resident" from 1786 to 1792. He is listed on the personal property tax list of Monroe County from 1799 (when it was formed from part of Greenbrier County) until 1815. Following his name listing on each annual record is the name "Richard Davis" and this is believed to be his brother since they appear to be contemporaries in age and also shared adjoining parcels of land on the Greenbrier River. Mary Davis and her son Jacob are listed on the 1815 Tax List but conspicuously absent is the name of William who is presumed to have died during this period.
In his will dated 28 Feb., 1815 William requested that he "be buried in a neat Christian manner and that all his lawful debts be discharged". He left half of his land to his wife Mary and the other half to his daughter Editha. To his son Jacob he gave his rifle and all his working tools. Witnesses included Harry Perry, James Perry and Isaac Busby.
Children of WILLIAM DAVIS and MARY PACKWOOD are:
2. JACOB2 DAVIS (WILLIAM1)3,4 was born Abt. 1780 in Greenbrier/Monroe Co., West Virginia, and died Bef. 1850 in Madison Co., Indiana. He married EUNICE O. DIXON5 January 25, 1806 in Monroe County, West Virginia6, daughter of GEORGE DIXON and VERONICA VANBIBBER.
Notes for JACOB DAVIS:
1806 - Coincident with his marriage there, Jacob Davis was received into the Old Greenbrier First Baptist Church.
1810- In the census for that year Jacob is recorded as living with his wife and 3 sons on land adjoining that of his father William and uncle Richard Davis. He remained here just after the death his father in 1815. At this time he sold all his land and departed the area enroute to Indiana.
Obituary of William T. Davis (son of Jacob) stated that Jacob, with his family, floated down the Ohio River on a flatboat to Cinncinnati, Ohio in the spring of 1815. Their boat was loaded with salt and whetstones (a much prized and valuable commodity at the time). That same year they continued down the river to the town of Madison, Indiana where they landed and made their first home about four miles below Paris in a portion of Jefferson County, Indiana which later became Jennings County. In 1816 William recieved land patent to 360 acres (two parcels) located nea the Graham Fork of the Muscatuck River in Jefferson County. After this they lived 5 years on what is known as Hester Island. Then they moved to Azelia in Bartholomew County. (From Banner Plain Dealer, North Vernon, Jennings Co. Indiana].
1820 - Census of that year enumerates Jacob and his family (w/mother Mary) in Delaware County (later became Bartholomew Co.). He also purchased land near Azelia area, T8, R 6, Sect. 35. William Packwood (possibly his maternal grandfather or an uncle) bought land the same day, Aug. 20th 1820, right next door. (NOTE: There were several other brothers of William Packwood who settled in this same area).
1830 - Jacob and family still listed as residents of Bartholomew County now living with 10 children.
1834 - Jacob sold land in Bartholmew Co. and that same year bought land on the Grant/Madison Co. line. He is identified in the histories of both counties as a prominent early settler. He resided in Fairmount Township and the history of that community includes various references to Jacob Davis including an incident in which he helped pursue and kill a record size bear.
1837 - Jacob sold his land in Fairmount to his son Joseph and moved to the Town of Summit where they purchased and lived on a small lot. He is recorded still living here during the 1840 census but apparently died before 1850 when he is absent from that count. In the period following his death (between 1850 and 1860) many members of his family who had previously resided in the counties south of Indianapolis apparently sold out and departed, some to Iowa, some to Wisconsin and others to parts unknown.
Marriage Notes for JACOB DAVIS and EUNICE DIXON:
All information related to the children of Jacob Davis and Eunice Dixon provided form the records of Judy Hopkins of Boise, Idaho on 8/22/98.
Children of JACOB DAVIS and EUNICE DIXON are:
4. i. WILLIAM T.3 DAVIS, b. 1806, Union, Monroe Co., West Virginia; d. September 13, 1893, Brewersville, Jennings Co., Indiana.
5. ii. JAMES WARD DAVIS, b. May 30, 1808, Greenbrier/Monroe Co., West Virginia; d. December 19, 1882, Plumb Hollow, Freemont, Iowa.
6. iii. RICHARD DAVIS, b. 1809, Greenbrier/Monroe Co., West Virginia; d. March 06, 1894, Clackamas Co., Oregon.
iv. JACOB DAVIS, b. Abt. 1810, Greenbrier/Monroe Co., West Virginia.
v. THOMAS DAVIS, b. Abt. 1811, Greenbrieer/Monroe Co., West Virginia.
vi. JOHN D. DAVIS, b. Abt. 1813, Greenbrier/Monroe Co., West Virginia.
7. vii.EDITH DAVIS, b. 1814, Greenbrier/Monroe County, West Virgina; d. Abt. 1890, Stanton, Dunn Co., Wisconsin.
8. viii. JOSEPH DAVIS, b. May 01, 1818, Indiana; d. October 01, 1855, Jennings County, Indiana.
ix. UNK1 DAVIS.
x. UNK2 DAVIS.
9. xi. PERMILIA DAVIS, b. February 16, 1820, Indana; d. Abt. 1900, Saltfork, Grant County, Oklahoma.
xii. ANDREW J. DAVIS, b. June 08, 1823, Azelia, Bartholomew County, Indiana; d. March 09, 1913, Natoma, Osborne County, Kansas; m. ABIGAIL MAPES, January 24, 1841, Jennings County, Indiana.
Notes for ANDREW J. DAVIS:
There is no substantiated direct documentation establishing the paternity of Andrew Davis. However, descendant Judy Hopkins has concluded that he was the son of Jacob and Eunice Davis on the basis of substantial and convincing circumstantial evidence.
Andrew served honorably in the Union Army as a Private during the Civil War. He enlisted at Fontanelle, Iowa in a Company commanded by Capt. L. H. Calan, in the 4th Cavalry Regiment of the Iowa Volunteers on 21 Dec., 1863. The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Winslow. Andrew was honorably discharged for disability at Davenport Iowa on 22 August, 1865. He sustained an injury to his spinal chord that disabled him from performing and bodily labor for the remainder of his life.
Marriage Notes for ANDREW DAVIS and ABIGAIL MAPES:
Abigail Mapes married Andrew Davis after losing an earlier husband (Jonas Martin) by a previous marriage in 1839. It is unknow how or when Jonas Martin died. When he was married Andrew officially converted to the Methodist Episcopal Church, but research has failed to locate an M.E. Church in the area that was active during this period. The family resided in Geneva Township, Jennings County (near Abigail's parents) until about 1855 when they moved to Adams County, Iowa. They joined many other relatives (including Abigail's parents as well as other Mapes kin and Davis kin) in making the move to this area - but the reason is not known.
3. RACHEL2 DAVIS (WILLIAM1) was born Abt. 1790 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and died 1812 in Monroe Co., Virginia. She married JOSEPH ELLISON June 30, 1808 in Monroe Co., Virginia.
Notes for RACHEL DAVIS:
It is belived that Rachel Davis died giving birth to her only daughter Rachel Ellison in 1812. She was not mentioned in her father's will in 1815 and her husband remarried in 1813.
Notes for JOSEPH ELLISON:
In 1833 Joseph and his family moved to Madison County, Indiana where he eventually died.
Marriage Notes for RACHEL DAVIS and JOSEPH ELLISON:
Married by the Reverend James Ellison, brother of the groom.
Child of RACHEL DAVIS and JOSEPH ELLISON is:
i. RACHEL3 ELLISON, b. 1812; m. JOHN FISHER.
4. WILLIAM T.3 DAVIS (JACOB2, WILLIAM1) was born 1806 in Union, Monroe Co., West Virginia, and died September 13, 1893 in Brewersville, Jennings Co., Indiana. He married ROSEY JONES July 14, 1831 in Jennings County, Indiana7.
Marriage Notes for WILLIAM DAVIS and ROSEY JONES:
In 1831, following his marriage to Rosey Jones, William and his family moved into the farm previously owned and occupied by his father near Brewersville, Indiana where they apparently lived for the remainder of their lives. Rosey is believed to have died between 1870 and 1880 as she is missing from the latter census. She was probably buried in the Fish Creek Cemetary where William was also believed to have been interred upon his death in 1893. They are believed to have had 12 children but many are currently unaccounted for and some are believed to have died at childbirth or during infancy since they never appeared in census records.
Children of WILLIAM DAVIS and ROSEY JONES are:
Notes for JOHN MARSH:
Served as a Corporal during the Civil War and a blacksmith before his enlistment.
Marriage Notes for JAMES DAVIS and ELIZABETH GORDON:
Just prior to his marriage James also bought land adjoining that of his father and brothers in Grant/Madison County in 1837. They subsequently moved to Fremont County, Iowa where they settled on a homestead in 1849 with Elizabeth's parents (father probably Robert Gordon) who lived near them there with other Gordon kin. In 1857 they moved to Dawsonburg Iowa.
Children of JAMES DAVIS and ELIZABETH GORDON are:
i. ROSA4 DAVIS, b. 1839; m. (1) WILIAM OSTRANDER; m. (2) JOHN W. JACKSON, April 10, 1866, Fremont County, Iowa.
Notes for WILLIAM CLARK DAVIS:
William Clark Davis left Iowa when he was young (16?) with some trappers who had already been out West. He worked as a Freighter traveling back and forth from the frontier. He later returned home to Plumb Hollow, coming across a field belonging to his father, he walked up to him and said "Hello, how are you?" James Ward (Sr.) answered and in their conversation told him he had a son that left years ago for the west, but he had never heard from him. William Clark said , "Yes, I know, I'm your son." When he left again, William Clark took his brother, Riley, back to Idaho with him. Later he made another trip back home and brought his brother, James Richard, to Idaho. Other siblings of William Clark went to Idaho, also.
William Clark Davis was one of the first settlers of Franklin, which was counted in the Utah Territory in the 1870 census. Actually later, when the Government surveyed the land, they determined that Franklin was located in Idaho, but the settlers thought they were still in Utah. It is known as the FIRST permanant settlement in Idaho. Franklin was counted in Cache Co, Utah in the 1870 census. It was in a section of Idaho that is included in the "Lost Idaho Census of 1870-Bear Lake and Franklin Counties". There is a copy of this census at the ID State Library, Boise, ID. In that census, William Clark Davis and wife, Eliza (Packer) were counted with 3 children, all born in Utah Territory. Living next door was the family of Nathan Packer, probably the father of Eliza. Some of the families were from a group of settlers asked by Brigham Young to go and settle the Bear Lake Valley. William Clark Davis, William Nelson and George Marshall would play music for the dances in Franklin in those early days, as recorded in the "History of Southeastern Idaho".
In a newspaper article in the Local News section of the Soda Springs Chieftan, 31 Jan. 1907, it states that 'W.C. Davis, a prosperous rancher and stock raiser near Soda Springs, along with his wife and youngest son, were on their way to Oregon for 3 months, to visit friends and relatives at Milwaukee, OR. Mr. Davis has a couple of ranches in the Soda Springs country and says he is getting to an age when he feels he is entitled to lay off occasionally. He has sold his hay and cattle and has nothing to worry about until it comes time to plant in the spring.' They were visiting cousins of Wm.C. (The family of Richard Davis, Uncle to W.C., moved to Oregon in 1868.)
OBITUARY from Soda Springs, Idaho, newspaper in possession of Emma Balls Brown:
Well Known Pioneer Passes Away
William Clark Davis passed away at his home at Soda Springs Monday, June 11, 1923, at four o'clock P.M. after an illness of five days. For the past two years, he has suffered intensely at spells.
Mr. Davis was born in Delaware Co, Indiana, July 30, 1841, being almost 82 years of age. He leaves to mourn his loss, a devoted wife, four sons and three daughters, whose names follow: William J. , Albert C., J. Taylor, and C. Wesley Davis; Mrs. Dan Balls, Mrs. J.C. Budrow and Mrs. Row White. One sister, Mrs. M.E. (Tish) Dyke, of Soda Sprins, who sat by the bed during his last illness, and three brothers, Riley (Bud) Davis, of Clifton, J. W. Davis of Los Angeles, California, and J.R. Davis of Price, Utah. He also leaves 31 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren--a large posterity most everyone of whom called upon him during his last illness and many surrounded his bedside during the dying hour.
Mr. Davis's childhood days were spent in Fremont County, Iowa, on his father's farm which is now the townsite of Sidney, and also the county seat. He crossed the plains with mule teams in 1860 and spent winters as a bookkeeper in the mining camps of Cour de Alene and Warrens Diggings, then drifted to Franklin, Onedia County, where he held positions as school teacher and lead violinist in orchestras of the locality. In 1864, Nov. 20, in the old rock church at Franklin, he was married to Eliza Packer, his faithful wife for 45 years, and the mother of his children, and by whose side his remains were laid to rest.
Mr Davis is well known in Clifton, Idaho, where he spent some years, then moved to Riverdale near Preston, and 35 years ago to Soda Springs. On 19 Jan 1911, Mr Davis married Mrs. Altina Witbeck Brown, whose cheerful companionship gave happiness during his last years. He was an interesting and captivationg personality and, regardles of his mature years, will be missed by those with whom he mingled. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the L.D.S. Church conducted by Bishop D. K. McLean and interment was made in the Soda Springs cemetery.
Notes for EDNEY THOMAS:
As a result of her marriage to Richard Davis outside of the Quaker Church to which her family belonged Edney (Edna) was officially disowned by the Community of Friends as recorded in the minutes of their meeting on 11 May, 1836. At a later date her sister was also disowned and the entire Thomas family apparently quit the Church shortly thereafter when her fathre Solomon Thomas started the Bretheren Church in Grant County, IN.
Marriage Notes for RICHARD DAVIS and EDNEY THOMAS:
The family of Richard and Edna Davis bought the parcel of land adjoining his father's property in Grant/Madison County, in 1835 and remained there until about 1852 when apparently moved to Adams County, Iowa. They stayed in Iowa until 1867 when they packed up and moved to Marysville, Kansas where they joined a wagon train bound for Oregon in the Spring of 1868. Their adventures along the trail (including a snake bite episode) were recorded in newspaper article written by Edna (and are also contained in a book referenced elsewhere).
The history of this family has been recorded in great detail in a book entitled "The Family of Richard and Edna Thomas Davis", by Howard Davis, 1992. For a detailed accounting of the children and grandchildren of Richard and Edna see the Davis History submitted by Judy Hopkins, 8/98. Many of those who moved to Clackamas, Oregon were involved prune farming and several played in the Garfield Band in the early 1900s.
Children of RICHARD DAVIS and EDNEY THOMAS are:
Notes for EDITH DAVIS:
On the 1880 WI Census, Dunn Co there is this listing:
Marriage Notes for EDITH DAVIS and WILLIAM TAYLOR:
The Bartholomew County marriage records contain an entry certifying the marriage of Edith Davis and William H. Tayloron June 12, 1831. However, the marriage must have been terminated thereafter since the records report that William H. Taylor remarried Rebecca Boyles on 1 January, 1846 in Dubois County, Indiana.
Notes for JOHN CRYE:
LDS Family Registry.
Crye, John
b. 1805? NC F Joseph FR221817
pd taxes, 1842-44 Madison Co., Indiana
d. 1870? WI? M Anna
m. 1834 IN SP Edith Davis Taylor
John and Edith Crye moved with their family from Madison County, Indiana where they had resided since 1836 and came to Dunn County (west of Chippewa Falls) Wisconsin in 1862, locating in its wildest portion -- their nearest neighbor being 3 miles away, while the nearest school was at Menomonie, 14 miles distant. In this isolated locality the family lived for several years. (From a Biography of their son, Zachariah Crye).
In a final land claim document dated 25 Sept 1872, John Crye laid claim to 160 A (near Boyceville) in Stanton Twp, Dunn Co. stating that he was "...the head of a family consisting of a wife and 12 children...and has built a house thereon of logs 16 x 18 ft., one and a half stories high, shake roof, board floor, with 2 doors and 1 window ...has chopped 3 more acres, has built a stable and hog pens, and has set out plum and apple trees, current bushes, gooseberry bushes and strawberry vines."
Marriage Notes for EDITH DAVIS and JOHN CRYE:
June 11, 1834
Be it remembered that on this day a Marriage License Issued to John Cry and Miss Edith Taylor. [Edith Davis was previously married to William Taylor].
June 13, 1834
I certify that I joined together in matrimony on the 12 day of June 1834 John Cry and Edith Taylor both of Sandcreek Township, Bartholomew Co. IN
Signed: Enoch Thomley, J.P.
Found in Arlington at the National Geneological Library on a microfisch index of the LDS Family Registry.
Crye, John b. 1805? NC F Joseph FR221817
d. 1870? WI? M Anna
m. 1834 IN SP Edith Davis Taylor
i. JOSEPH4 CRYE, b. July 1835, Bartholomew Co., Indiana; d. December 24, 1903, Sylvan, Richland Co., Wisconsin; m. AMANDA MICHAELS, September 21, 1856, Grant Co., Indiana.
Notes for JOSEPH CRYE:
Listed as a Civil War veteran from Indiana. Civil War Pension papers state he served in the 32nd Indiana Volunteers, Co. F, as a Garrison guard. Discharged at Indianapolis, May 1865.
Notes for FRANCIS MARION LIGHTFOOT:
Born 1832 in Marion County, Indiana (NE edge of Indianapolis) he is listed (as Marion Lightfoot) in the household of John Lightfoot in Tipton County, Indiana in the 1850 census. He is listed with his wife Mary A. (Crye) Lightfoot in the 1860 census in Madison County. Migrated to Wisconsin sometime around 1865 with wife and family. In 1877 he filed a homestead claim for 80 acres in Eau Claire, County.
Message on the back of postcard picture of Francis Marion and Mary Anne (Crye) Lightfoot addressed to Mrs William Fosnow [Elizabeth (Lightfoot) Fosnow] of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin reads as follows:
Dear Aunt:
How are you and all the folks down there? We are all about
as usual here, only that father and mother are both getting awfully
feeble. They didn't want to change their clothes to have this picture
taken, but they look good to me anyway and I thought perhaps you would like one.
With best wishes for a Merry Xmas.
Signed: Bessie R. [Amelia Elizabeth (Lightfoot) Standish]
The card is undated, but was probably sent from Portland, Oregon around December, 1912/13, a couple years prior to the deaths of Francis and Mary Anne in 1914 and 1915.
Notes for JOHN NELS CRYE:
Listed as a Civil War veteran from Indiana.
iv. JACOB DANIEL CRYE, b. June 05, 1842, Summitville, Madison Co., Indiana; d. May 14, 1919, Royalton, Morrison Co., Minnnesota; m. MARY JOSEPHINE DOWNS, December 10, 1874, Fairchild, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Notes for JACOB DANIEL CRYE:
According to article written by Fay James Crye in
"The History of Rusk County"
Jacob Crye was a Civil War Veteran who returned home after the war with only one leg.
He served in the Civil War with the 34th Indiana Inf. Co. D. At the time of enlistment he was residing in Windfall, Tipton Co. IN.
Discharged on Oct. 1, 1864. He died in a Soldier's Home in Morrison County, Minnesota.
Notes for ISAIAH S. CRYE:
Listed as a Civil War veteran from Indiana.
Final homestead claim document dated 15 May 1876 for 80 A, Stanton Twp. Dunn Co. identifies Isaiah Crye as "...head of a family consisting of a wife and one child...has built a house thereon of logs 17 x 19 ft, one and a half stories high, shake roof, board floor, with 1 door and 1 window and had a smaller house before this one described...has newly cleared 5 acres and has set out 15 apple trees and currant bushes and grapes and strawberry vines."
On the 1880 WI Census, Dunn Co there is this listing:
| 152 | 164 | Crye, Isiah | 35 | farmer | IN | NC | IN |
| Mary | 27 | keeping house | IN | TN | VA | ||
| James M | 5 | at school | WI | IN | IN | ||
| Jacob | 1 | WI | IN | IN | |||
| Johnathan | 3 | WI | IN | IN | |||
| 153 | 165 | Crye Eda | 64 | keeping house | IN | VA | VA |
Notes for ELIZABETH CRYE:
As a little girl in Indiana, she got some of the fingers cut off her right hand by one of her brothers.
She was a midwife and according to Paul Sigler's aunt (now deceased at 92) she said she could remember that whenever there was a Bailey or Sigler being born, she would travel there to "assist". She also said that Elizabeth always wore the white nurses' dresses.
After John Q. Bailey ran off with a young woman, it is said that she would take catnaps and "talk to John". She may have known where he was but would not tell because his brother James had threatened to shoot him, as it was his daughter that John ran off with.
Notes for JOHN QUINCY BAILEY:
Final homestead claim certificate dated 30 Dec 1876, for 80 Acres in Knapp Station, Stanton Twp, Dunn Co. states that John Bailey "...built a house of logs 16 x 18 ft., one and a half stores high, shake roof, board floor, with 1 door and 1 window...has set out 23 apple and some plum trees and gooseberry bushes".
John Q. Bailey, a pioneer of Dunn Co., is reported to have prepared a very acceptable history of that County with the able assistance of Mr. Zachariah Crye, his brother-in-law. In his notes, Paul Sigler reports that John Q. Bailey ran off with his brother James's daughter around 1887/88.
viii. JONATHON CRYE, b. 1850, Bartholomew Co., Indiana.
ix. NOAH CRYE, b. 1851, Van Buren, Madison Co., Indiana.
x. ZACHARIAH CRYE, b. March 30, 1853, Van Buren, Madison Co., Indiana; d. February 19, 1930, Ladysmith, Rusk Co., Wisconsin; m. MARY E. BOWMAN, January 18, 1886, Ladysmith, Rusk Co., Wisconsin.
Notes for ZACHARIAH CRYE:
Commemorative and Biographical Record
Zachariah R. Crye, a pioneer of Wisconsin and well known "cruiser" of former days, who now resides 2 miles from Ladysmith in Rusk County, Wisconsin was the son of John and Edie Crye. The parents of Mr.Crye came to Dunn County (west of Chippewa Falls) Wisconsin in 1862, locating in its wildest portion, their nearest neighbor being 3 miles away, while the nearest school was at Menomonie, 14 miles distant. In this isolated locality the family lived for several years. This being the case, our subject had almost no chance to attend school during childhood, but later he became a pupil in the Cedar Falls public schools, working for his board and thus obtained a fair knowledge of the rudiments of the English language.
Early in life Mr. Crye became a woodman and cruised through the forest, becoming familiar with every section for miles around, and his services were soon much in demand from those who came to this section in search of homes or to locate sawmills and other industrial plants. The Omaha Railroad Company engaged his services in their Land Department and for 2 years he protected the Company's lands from the ravages of trespassers. His next engagement was with Webb & Griffen, a prominent mercantile and logging firm. He went to Polk Co., then a virgin wilderness, to take charge of the Company's branch store at Joel. The position was a responsible one as it involved the purchase of ties, bolts, lumber, etc. and for 3 yrs. Mr. Crye remained there giving the utmost satisfaction to his employers. During this period he was made the first postmaster at Joel, and his commission was signed by Post Master General Wanmaker in 1890. In 1894 Mr. Crye came to Ladysmith, then Warner, a small hamlet of only a few houses. He subsequently bought property in the village for which he paid $125.00 and held it until 1903 when he sold it for $1,365.00. While a resident of Ladysmith he worked in the mills and invested his surplus earnings in real estate, buying the land on which he now lives, at $2 an acre. This land he has improved by putting up a good residence and has at present 10 acres cleaned ready for the plow. While residing in the village of Ladysmith Mr. Crye held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years and had much to do with the adjustment of its early affairs. He is a well informed man who has taken the greatest interest in local history and gave material to J.O. Bailey, a pioneer of Dunn County who prepared a very acceptable history of that County. In 1884 in Dunn Co. Mr. Crye was married to a daughter of Jonathon Bowman. Mr. Bowman, a pioneer in Richland Co., Wisconsin and later in Polk Co., was a soldier in the Civil War and is now deceased. Mr. Crye had 5 brothers who served in the same war, 3 of whom still bear honorable wounds and all of whom can point with justifiable pride to noble military records. Mr. and Mrs. Crye have had 5 children born to them: Leon, Chloe, Zoe, Claude and Oriel, a bright and intelligent family, promising to grow into fine types of American man and womanhood. Mr. Crye is esteemed in his locality. His knowledge of woodcraft gained by long years of experience, is excelled by few, if any, of his contemporaries. In the early days, when cruising, he rarely used a compass, but could keep his course with unerring certainty by careully observing the bark of the trees.
Feb.1986 (A copy of the above was sent to me (Bertha Yoemans) by
John F. Crye - Rt. 3, Box 216, Auburn, IL, sent to him by a woman in New Mexico.)[Norma Crye]
Provided to the author in 1998 by Irene Morgan Sylvester, a Crye descendant residing at [...snip...]
xi. JANE AMELIA CRYE, b. September 25, 1855, Van Buren, Madison Co., Indiana; d. July 02, 1924, Wisconsin; m. WILLIAM MILLIRON, January 04, 1874.
xii. AMELIA JANE CRYE, b. September 25, 1855, Van Buren, Madison Co., Indiana; d. March 29, 1937, Fairchild, Eau Claire Co., Wisconsin; m. JOHN LAFAYETTE LIGHTFOOT , JR., March 26, 1873, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Notes for JOHN LAFAYETTE LIGHTFOOT , JR.:
John Lafayette Jr. Lightfoot was born near Indianapolis, Indiana. He is listed with his parents at age 13 in the 1860 census as "Lafayette" in Madison County, Indiana. On his 21st birthday he left there going first to Richland Co., Wisconsin and then to Fairchild, WI where he lived the rest of his life. He and his wife Amelia Jane Crye homesteaded in Wisconsin abt. 1866. He also worked in the lumbering and sawmills operations around Fairchild for N.C. Foster and the Pedrick and Graves Sawmill. He was considered the oldest living pioneer in the area at the time of his death and witnessed the growth of Fairchild from a town consisting of one frame house, a few log cabins and one general store. On Jan. 3 1933 he slipped on the ice injuring himself; and while recovering from that injury contracted pneumonia from which he died on the Feb. 28.
In 1878 John L. Lightfoot filed a homestead claim for 80 acres in Eau Claire, County. He filed claim to an additional 40 acres in 1888.
Children of JOSEPH DAVIS and EMILY BOYD are:
Children of PERMILIA DAVIS and JOHN BREWER are:
vii. CHARLES BREWER, b. 1859.
Children of ELIZABETH DAVIS and JOHN REID are: