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(NOTE: Jacob Crosmer probably never had his portrait made prior to the Civil War and during his short time in Nashville, Tennessee, during the winter of 1862-63 when most of the surviving photographs of veterans of the 86th were taken, Jacob may never have been well enough to even think about getting as portrait made, as he is known to have been quite sick during that time period. However, Jacob survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. From 1865 until his death in 1915, Jacob probably had his picture taken dozens and dozens of...
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(NOTE: Jacob Crosmer probably never had his portrait made prior to the Civil War and during his short time in Nashville, Tennessee, during the winter of 1862-63 when most of the surviving photographs of veterans of the 86th were taken, Jacob may never have been well enough to even think about getting as portrait made, as he is known to have been quite sick during that time period. However, Jacob survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. From 1865 until his death in 1915, Jacob probably had his picture taken dozens and dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a portrait of him in uniform on his Memorial, however, at this point, I would be thrilled to see some photographs of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private JACOB CROSMER, Co. E, 86th Illinois
Jacob Crosmer (Crosman) was born on June 2, 1837 in the village of Nassa, Mudershausen, Deggendorf, Bayern, Germany, the son of Johann Peter Groszmaier/Groszmier/Grassmaher/Grassmaier, who was born c. 1803, and Catherine Elizabeth (Thorn) Groszmier, who is believed to have been born c. 1808.
(Note: Jacob's full name may be Henry Jacob Crosmer/Groszmier or Jacob Henry Crosmer. The only place that I have seen his full name in writing on the internet was on his daughter, Lillian's, birth certificate where it was listed as Henry Jacob Crosmer.)
Jacob's father, Peter Groszmier died in 1839 and his mother married again, to a man who is said to have been very harsh to young Jacob. At about the age of 15 or 16, or about 1852/53, Jacob, with a neighbor migrated to America. Jacob migrated to the State of Michigan. There, Jacob Crosmer was married to Mary Nixon on November 27, 1857 by Elder A. B. Jones, Kent County, Michigan. Mary Nixon was born on August 7, 1841 in Livingston County, New York, the daughter of Jacob Nixon, who may have been born in Canada, and Permelia (Haywood) Nixon, who was born in 1803 in New York, the daughter of Henry Haywood and Susan (__________) Haywood, and died on September 11, 1870 in Algoma, Kent County, Michigan. The Nixon family appears to have moved for a short time to Michigan about 1834 before returning to New York. About 1845, they then moved west to Ohio. They are found in Carlisle, Lorain County, Ohio at the time of the 1850 census;
Jacob Nixon M 65 Canada
Pamelia Nixon F 45 Massachusetts
Rachael Nixon F 17 New York
Hannah Nixon F 15 Michigan
Mary Nixon F 8 New York
Sarah Nixon F 6 New York
Cordelia Nixon F 4 Ohio
(Note: Cordelia Umlor Nixon was married to Harlow Seymour on May 9, 1908 in Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan. On her marriage certificate her parents are listed as Jacob Nixon and Permelia Haywood.)
The 1900 census states that Mary (Nixon) Crosmer and Jacob Crosmer were the parents of 11 children, 7 of whom were still living at the time of the 1900 census; They include;
1. (Posssibly a Daughter) _____________ Crosmer, believed to have been born c. 1862 and died shortly afterward.
2. Lenora S. Crosmer, born March __, 1863 in Michigan, where Mary went after Jacob enlisted in the service. Lenora was married to Charles Henry Church in LaSalle County, Illinois on December 25, 1879. Charles was born on September __, 1855 and died on August 7, 1919. In their marriage document, Lenora is listed as Nora and her parents as Jacob Crosmer and Mary Nixon. Charles' parents are listed as John Wesley Church and Emily Seaton; Lenora and Charles are known to have had at least two children;
A. Bertha May Church, born October 11, 1880 in Dana, LaSalle County, Illinois. In her birth record, Lenora is listed as "Linia".
B. Ora D. Church, born December 30, 1882 in Illinois. Ora was married to Agnes M. ____________ in the early 1900's. No children are known to have been born to them. At the time of the 1910 census, Ora and Agnes are found in Ward 3 of the city of Conde, Spink County, South Dakota;
Ora D Church Head M 27 Illinois
Agnes M Church Wife F 28 Iowa
Lottie G Pearsall Sister-in-law F 19 Iowa
Henry J Crosmer Brother-in-law M 33 Illinois
Edyth Crosmer Sister-in-law F 30 Iowa
Desmond J Crosmer Nephew M 7 Iowa
Corales W Crosmer Niece F 3 South Dakota
C. Harry Dwight Church, born July 21, 1896 in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. Harry, who went by his middle name, Dwight, is believed never to have married. Harry Dwight Church died on _____________ __, 1987 and his mortal remains were laid in the Grace Hill Cemetery in Tripp, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. See his Find A Grave Memorial #65867571.
Sometime between 1882 and 1896, Charles and Lenora moved their family from Illinois to South Dakota, where they settled in Hutchinson County. At the time of the 1900 census, Lenora and her family are found in the village of Tripp, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. She has had 3 children, all of whom are living and she and Charles have been married for 20 years;
Charles H Church Head M Sep 1855 45 New York
Lenora D Church Wife F Mar 1863 37 Michigan
Bertha M Church Daughter F Oct 1880 20 Illinois
Ora D Church Son M Dec 1882 18 Illinois
Harry D Church Son M Jul 1896 4 South Dakota
At the time of the 1930 census, Lenora is found, widowed, living in Tripp, Hutchinson County, South Dakota with her sister, Emma (Crosmer) Klatt;
Emma Klatt Head F 62 Michigan
Lenora D Church Sister F 67 Michigan
Dwight H Church Nephew M 33 South Dakota
Lenora died on Feb. 5, 1954 and her mortal remains were laid in the Grace Hill Cemetery in Tripp, Hutchinson County, South Dakota.
3. John Victor Crosmer, born c. August 12, 1865 in Illinois; Carol found that John Victor Crosmer appeared on a US Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives on November 8, 1888. John was married to Kate Belle "Katie" Havens (d/o Wm. N. Havens and Sarah E. Havens) on __________ __, 1888; Katie was born on _____________ __, 1874, which would make her only about 14 years of age at the time of their union; Their residence is shown as Parkston, Dakota Territory which was also the location of the marriage; John died on ___________ __, 1938, while Katie died on ____________ __, 1960; Their mortal remains were laid in the New Miners UMW of A Cemetery in Roundup, Musselshell County, Montana.
4. Emma May Crosmer, born July __, 1868 in Illinois. Emma was married to Henry Klatt on ____________ __, 18__, who was born on June 10, 1865 and died on March 10, 1928. At the time of the 1930 census, Emma is found, widowed, living in Tripp, Hutchinson County, South Dakota with her sister, Lenora, and her son, Dwight;
Emma Klatt Head F 62 Michigan
Lenora D Church Sister F 67 Michigan
Dwight H Church Nephew M 33 South Dakota
Emma died on March 14, 1951 in Hutchinson County, South Dakota and her earthly remains were laid in the Grace Hill Cemetery in Tripp, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. See her Find A Grave Memorial # 65825210.
5. Lillian Almyrtia (or Elmerta or Amerta) "Mattie" Crosmer, born February 13, 14 or 17th, 1871 in Algoma, Kent County, Michigan. Her birth certificate lists her fathers full name as Henry Jacob Crosmer; Mattie was married to Jefferson Davis "J. D." Lee on ___________ __, 1886 at __________, __________; Three children were born to them;
A. Winford/Winifred Melvin Lee, born May 11, 1887 in Tripp, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. Winford was married to Olive Masden on June 6, 1916. Their children include;
a. Gerald LeRoy Lee, born 27 Sep 1927 in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska. Gerald died on 24 Oct 2006 in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska and his mortal remains were laid in the Highland Cemetery in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska. See his Find A Grave Memorial #150959106.
Winifred died on 13 March 1949 in Sunshine Bottom, Boyd County, Nebraska and his mortal remains were laid in rest in the _________________ Cemetery in ____________, Nebraska on 17 March 1949.
B. Mary E. Lee, born January __, 1889 in South Dakota
C. George A. Lee, born November __, 1891 in South Dakota.
At the time of the 1900 census, the Lee family is found in the village of Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska;
Jefferson D Lee Head M Aug 1863 37 Virginia
Lillian A Lee Wife F Feb 1871 29 Mich
Winford M Lee Son M May 1887 13 So Dak
Mary E Lee Daughter F Jan 1889 11 So Dak
George A Lee Son M Nov 1891 9 So Dak
The 1920 federal census has one additional child, Benjamin F. Lee, who was b. in Iowa and listed as an "adopted son."; Jefferson and Mattie are in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska in the 1900, 1910, and 1920 federal
census records.
Jefferson Davis Lee is believed to have died on September 21, 1929 in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska.
At the time of the 1930 census, Lillian is found, widowed, and residing in Lynch, Boyd County, Nebraska;
Almyrtia Lee Head F 59 Michigan
Lillie Zink Boarder F 17 Nebraska
6. Franklin Eugene Crosmer, born November 9th or 11th, 1872/73 in Michigan; died October 22, 1932; Frank was married to Nancy Bolton on ___________ __, 19__ at __________, __________; Frank's mortal remains were buried in the Roundup Cemetery, Roundup, Montana.
7. Henry Jacob Crosmer, born October 13, 1876 in LaSalle County, Illinois. Henry was married to Edyth ____________ in the late 1890's or very early in the 1900's.
Two children are known to have been born to them;
A. Desmond J. Crosmer, born c. 1902/03 in Iowa.
B. Corales W. Crosmer, born c. 1906/07 in South Dakota.
At the time of the 1910 census, Henry and his family are found residing in Ward 3 of the city of Conde, Spink County, South Dakota with his oldest sibling, Lenora, and her husband;
Ora D Church Head M 27 Illinois
Agnes M Church Wife F 28 Iowa
Lottie G Pearsall Sister-in-law F 19 Iowa
Henry J Crosmer Brother-in-law M 33 Illinois
Edyth Crosmer Sister-in-law F 30 Iowa
Desmond J Crosmer Nephew M 7 Iowa
Corales W Crosmer Niece F 3 South Dakota
8. Everitt Crosmer, born c. 1877 in Illinois, most likely LaSalle County; believed to have died before his father received his pension in 1898.
9. Eva Crosmer, born c. 1879 in Illinois, most likely in LaSalle County; believed to have died before her father received his pension in 1898.
10. Harry Develow Crosmer, born October 12, 1881 in Dana, La Salle Co, Illinois; married to Maude Ethel Lewis on October 10, 1906 in Hutchinson, Tripp County, South Dakota; Harry died on April 28, 1947 in Scenic, Pennington County, South Dakota from complications from a stroke; buried in the Scenic Cemetery in Scenic, South Dakota; Harry and Maude had 3 children, Goldie Beatrice (1907), Mary L. Fern (1908) and Ella May (1910).
11. ___________ Crosmer, most likely born and died as an infant.
After they were married, Jacob and Mary did not remain in Michigan long as by the time of the 1860 census, they have moved to Illinois, where they are residing in Marshall County. At the time of the 1860 census, they reside in Saratoga Township in Marshall County;
1104/1042
William Lytle 35 M Ohio Farmer
Pet. Lytle 26 F IN
Geo. Lytle 9 M IL
I. Lytle 6 F IL
John Lytle 3 M IL
Charles Lytle 8 mo. M IL
P. Waltz 26 M GR Laborer
J. Crosmer 23 M NY Laborer
Mary Crosmer 19 F NY Servant
Mary Kelley 19 F NY Servant
Geo. Lytle 18 M PA
On August 14, 1862, Jacob Crosmer volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Marshall, Stark and Bureau Counties by a local well known farmer by the name of Orlando Fountain for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. At the time he enlisted, Jacob gave his place of residence as Saratoga Township, Marshall County, Illinois and he was farming for a living. His name was recorded as Crosman at the time he enlisted. At the time he volunteered, Mary is also believed to have been about two months pregnant.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name CROSMAN, JACOB
Rank PVT Company E Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence SARATOGA, MARSHALL CO, IL Age 24 Height 5' 8 Hair LIGHT
Eyes GRAY Complexion FAIR Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity NASSAU, GERMANY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 14, 1862 Joined Where SARATOGA, IL
Joined By Whom O FOUNTAIN Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED
When Fountain had about 100 volunteers, he led the company on a march into Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park.
On August 27, 1862, Fountain and 88 of his volunteers, including Private Jacob Crosmer, were mustered in as Co. E of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Fountain was elected by the men of Co. E.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Shortly after Jacob left for the war, Mary is believed to have been believed to have gone north to Michigan to be with family, who could help her with the birth of her coming child.
Three weeks after arriving in Kentucky, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp.
The winter of 1862/63 was very hard on the new troops in the field. The living conditions and poor diet took a great toll on these green troops. Thousands of these men spent much of the winter in the Nashville Hospitals, which were busting as the seams. Hundreds upon hundreds died in the Hospitals and hundreds upon hundreds more were discharged from the service in hopes that they could return home and regain their health with the help of family and home cooking. I believed for some time that Private Jacob Crosmer was most likely one of those. In that June email, Richard Crosmer told me the real reason he was discharged.
Richard Crosmer and his daughter Katie have copies of Jacob Crosmer's discharge papers.
In a later email Richard stated, "I located the copy of the Army Certificate of Disability for Discharge for Jacob. It states that Jacob was a Private in Captain F. A. Walldorf's Company E of the Eighty Sixth Regiment of the United States Illinois Volunteers. He enlisted on August 14, 1862 at Peoria under contract to serve for three years. The document states that Captain Walldorf recommended him for medical discharge from service (the recommendation is dated March 13, 1863 (Station identified as Nashville, Tenn.). The recommendation was countersigned and approved by 1st Assistant Surgeon John Gregory of the 86th Illinois. The surgeon describes the reason as deafness due to tympanitis. Jacob was subsequently discharged on March 31, 1863 at Nashville, Tenn. The document is signed off by a Brig. General whose signature is so scribbled that I am not sure who it was (The first name appears to maybe be Robert but not sure ..... typed portion identified him as the 'Post Commander')."
Richard also states that, "I also have a copy of Jacob's pension documentation from the Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions. His pension certificate number 154033. The document is dated January 15, 1898. On the document, he indicated that he and Mary (Nixon) were married November 27, 1857 by Elder A.B. Jones, Kent County Michigan. He states that they did have a marriage certificate but it was lost in moving. On this document, he lists their children as Lenora (March 1863), John (August 1865), May (July 1868), Elmerta (February 17, 1871), Frank (November 11, 1873), Henry ... my grandfather ... (October 13, 1876) and his brother, Harry (October 12, 1881)."
Richard also states, "I also have a copy of Jacob's Declaration for Pension document (from the Act of May 11, 1912). The document is dated June 3, 1912. At this time Jacob stated that he was 75 years old and lived in Mitchell, SD. It repeats the Civil War information (from the document above). In addition, it shows that he held residences at Grand Rapids (1863), Henry, Illinois (1863), Dana, Illinois (1876 to 1885), Tripp, South Dakota (1887) and Mitchell, South Dakota (1908). His pension certificate is identified as number 154.033."
So, we see that Private Jacob Crosmer was discharged from the service on March 31, 1863 and sent home. Jacob by this time, obviously knew his wife was pregnant and due in March of 1863, but, it is not known whether he knew that his wife had delivered a girl that would be named Leonora. In the document above, it appears that Jacob went initially to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Mary is believed to have been staying family who helped during Leonora's delivery. Carol Dorward found Jacob Crosmer's name on a Civil War Draft Registration Record for Alpine, Michigan for the months of June & July 1863. He is listed as having been a member of the 86th Illnois. However, by the end of the year, 1863, however, Jacob, Mary and little Leonora did return to Marshall County, Illinois. Though he does not mention it in the document above, Jacob and Mary are known to have returned to Michigan about 1869 or 1870. At the time of the 1870 census, they are found in Algoma, Kent County, Michigan. Their Post Office is listed as Sparta Center;
Jacob Crosmer M 29y Germany
Mary Crosmer F 25y New York
Lenora S Crosmer F 7y Michigan
John V Crosmer M 4y Illinois
Emma M Crosmer F 9m Michigan
The Crosmers remained there just a few years where Jacob farmed for a living, returning to Illinois sometime in 1876, where they resided in Dana, Illinois in LaSalle County. Jacob filed for an Invalid pension for his service in the Civil War on March 9, 1877. In 1878, Jacob served as the Constable for Groveland Township in LaSalle County, Illinois. At the time of the 1880 census, the Crosmers are found residing in Dana, Groveland Township, LaSalle County, Illinois. Jacob is listed as a Laborer. His parents are both listed as having been born in Germany;
Self Jacob Crosmer M 43 Germany
Wife Mary Crosmer F 38 New York
Son John Crosmer M 14 Illinois
Daughter Mary Crosmer F 11 Illinois
Daughter Mattie Crosmer F 9 Michigan
Son Franklin Crosmer M 6 Michigan
Son Henry Crosmer M 3 Illinois
Son Everitt Crosmer M 3 Illinois
Daughter Eva Crosmer F 0 Illinois
In 1885, when President Arthur opened up the Crow Creek Reservation in the Dakota Territory, Jacob put in for a claim. Sometime between then and 1887, Jacob and Mary are known to have moved to South Dakota, where they resided in Hutchinson County, near Tripp, South Dakota. However, Jacob had to give this claim up by proclamation of President Grover Cleveland. Jacob and Mary are found in the Oak Precienct of Hutchinson County, South Dakota at the time of the 1890 Veterans Census.
Jacob was a Republican and was elected to the House of Representatives of the South Dakota State Legislature, serving in 1895-96 from the 6th District, Hutchinson County, South Dakota. At the time of the 1900 census, the Crosmers are found in the Village of Tripp in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. Jacob's parents are both listed as having been born in Germany. Jacob is listed as having been born in June of 1837. He and Mary are recorded as having been married 43, which would place their year of marriage about 1857. Jacob is also recorded as having immigrated in 1852;
Head Jacob Crosmer M 63 Germany
Wife Mary Crosmer F 59 New York
Son Harry D Crosmer M 19 Illinois
Mary (Nixon) Crosmer died on October 3, 1902 at Tripp, South Dakota and her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Grace Hill Cemetery near Tripp, South Dakota.
Jacob Crosmer was married 2nd to Susan "Susie" (Casper) Baum on April 29, 1906 in Davidson County, South Dakota. The 1910 census, however, states that they have been married 6 years at that point. That census also indicates that Susan was the mother of 7 children, 3 of whom were living at that time. Susie was born on November __, 1847 at __________, __________, the daughter of __________ Casper and __________ (__________) Casper.
Susan Casper was previously married to George Spencer Baum, who was born c. 1842 and died on March 21, 1897. George was the son of John and Lydia Jane Baum of Lockport, St. Joseph Co., MI. (The father was a farmer and, by 1870, had accumulated $75,000 in real estate suggesting he held extensive acreage.) George and Susan are in Lockport Twp. (Three Rivers post office), MI in 1870 suggesting a marriage circa 1865. Children: William Baum (b. abt 1867), Edith/Eda Baum (b. abt. 1869), Ernest Baum (b. abt 1871), and Jane Baum (b. abt 1877) B-?-k E. (female b. July 1878), and Olive A. Baum (b. Feb. 1881). This last child, according to the South Dakota Births, 1856-1903 was Olive Spencer Baum, b. in Lincoln Co., SD and birth date as 26 July 1881. (This record was filed on February 10, 1943.) George, Susan and four children are in Hutchinson, Dakota Territory in 1880. I cannot find the family in either the 1885 or 1895 SD state census records. In 1900, Susan (Casper) Baum appears as a widow in Mitchell, SD.
I found, on FindaGrave, George S. Baum (b. June 11, 184 MI - March 21, 1897) buried in Milltown Cemetery, Milltown, Hutchinson Co., SD. Also, in the same cemetery, is Susan Baum Crosmer and these children:
Ruthie Baum (no date of birth; d. 1886)
William Baum (1867-1886)
Jennie D. Baum Berry (1877-1950) - undoubtedly, this is Jane. Also, buried in Milltown Cemetery is her husband, Harold Grant Berry (March 31, 1878-February 6, 1950) and one child, Bayard Berry (1901-1902).
Susie died on December 18, 1932. About 1908, Jacob and Susie are known to have moved to Mitchell, South Dakota. At the time of the 1910 census, the Crosmers are found in Ward 1 of the City of Mitchell, South Dakota. Jacob is found in the Mitchell City Directory of 1911 with a wife named Susan. The 1915 South Dakota State Census lists Jacob's religion as Methodist and his age as 78.
Through the years, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois tried to keep track of the men who served in the 86th and periodically published mailing addresses to help everyone keep in touch. The surviving members of the 86th Illinois had a mailing address of Tripp, South Dakota for Jacob Crosmer until 1899 and then his mailing address was listed as 417 S. Edmonds Street in Mitchell, South Dakota until 1912, the last time his address was published in a reunion booklet. In the 1915 Mitchell City Directory, Jacob Crosmer and his wife, Susie, are still listed at 417 S. Edmunds.
Private Jacob Crosmer died on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1915 in Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota. The South Dakota Death Index has his name as Jacob H. Crosmer, undoubtedly for Henry, but whether this was truly his first name or middle name is not known for certain.
Jacob's earthly remains were returned to Hutchinson County where they were laid to rest beside those of his wife of at least 40 years, Mary (Nixon) Crosmer, in the Grace Hill Cemetery.
Susie Crosmer, filed for a widows pension on September 26, 1916 in South Dakota. Susan Crosmer remained in Mitchell after Jacob's passing. She appears in both the 1920 and 1930 federal census at that location. In 1920, she is residing alone. In 1923, Susie is still found listed in the home at 415 S Edmunds. In 1930, she has a "cereals salesman" rooming with her. The South Dakota Death Index, 1905-1955 shows her death on December 18, 1932 in Davison County. Her mortal remains were laid in the Milltown Cemetery in Milltown, Hutchinson County, South Dakota nexto to George S. Baum, her first husband.
by Baxter B. Fite III; Carol Dorward, of Washington, Illinois; Richard Crosmer, who email address is [email protected], Katie Crosmer, whose email address is [email protected], and Elmer Crosmer, a grandson of John Victor Crosmer.
(Baxter, Richard and Katie would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Crosmer family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Jacob Crosmer and the Crosmer family. They would also enjoy seeing any pictures of Jacob Crosmer that may have survived the years, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the service, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.) |
