Biography - Henry Crowl
HENRY CROWL. He whose name is at the lead of this sketch resides on section 6, Okaw Township, having settled in Shelby County in 1861. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 31, 1833, and is a son of John and Nancy (Steinmetz) Crowl, natives of Virginia, near the old Maryland line; it is uncertain whether the mother may not have been born in Maryland. The families of both father and mother removed to Ohio and settled in Knox County, where they were pioneers. John Crowl, the father of our subject, was a soldier in the War of 1812. After marriage he located in Knox County, Ohio. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1844. She was the mother of eleven children, nine of whom lived to be grown. They were, Mary, John, Catherine, Lydia, Henry, George, Hannah, Cordelia and Amanda.
The original of this sketch was the only member of his family to come to Illinois. He was reared a farmer, his father having followed that pursuit all his life, as had his grandfather before him. Our subject received his education in the district schools of his native place, acquiring a knowledge of the branches that are indispensable to a practical business man. He was married October 25, 1859, to Miss Sarah Ann Marshall. The lady is a daughter of Robert and Nancy Marshall, and was born in Ohio, where her parents were pioneers.
Mr. Crowl came to Illinois in 1860, his first stop being in Livingston County, and in 1861 he came to Shelby County and settled where he now resides they having at that time a small tract of unimproved prairie land here. They now own one hundred and seventy-six acres of well-improved land that under the capable management of our subject is made to yield fine crops. He has erected upon the place a good residence and barns, his place having many of the latest improvement in agricultural implements.
Mr. and Mrs. Crowl have been the parents of seven children. Five of these are now living, viz: Henrietta who is the wife of Samuel Turner; John M., Arthur W., Emery A. and Loren L. He of whom we write is an adherent of the Democratic party, believing that the principles of this party are those most suited to a Government where freedom and personal liberty are supposed to be sovereign. He has held some offices in the gift of the township, having filled the positions of Road Commissioner and School Director to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Crowl is a modest, unassuming man, but one who is universally liked by his fellow-townsmen and neighbors because of his amiability and friendliness.
Extracted 08 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 238-239.
