Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1067 - 1068

WILLIAM H. CROCKER is a prominent citizen and a pioneer of Sedgwick County, his settlement here dating from May 4, 1871. At that time he took up some land under the homestead claim, embracing the southwest quarter of section 14 of Union Township. He now owns 236 acres of land, all improved, whose rich and fertile soil is well adapted to the culture of grain, which forms the staple of his crops. He has erected a neat and comfortable dwelling-house, and made many other valuable improvements, his pleasant home showing every indication of the thrift and prosperity of the owner.

             Mr. Crocker was born in LaSalle County, Ill., Oct. 5, 1850. His parents were James and Sarah (Mason) Crocker, natives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut. They were early settlers of LaSalle County, and were there prosperously engaged in farming for many years, finally removing to Kansas, where Mr. Crocker died in Vermont Township, July 31, 1885. (For further history of parents see sketch of Mr. J. O. Crocker.)

             Our subject was the second child in a family of seven. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and received from his parents, both by precept and example, many a practical lesson of industry and honest toil, which have been of much benefit to him in his after career. He received a good education in the public schools of his native county, where he continued to reside until 1871. In that year he became of age, and commenced the battle of life for himself. Having heard much of the wonderful fertility of the soil of the Arkansas Valley, its beautiful location and fine climate, he determined to pursue his chosen calling of agriculture in Kansas. The wisdom of his choice has been fully justified by the success which has been brought about by his energetic and well-directed toil, and, notwithstanding the fact that he has suffered somewhat, in common with other Kansas farmers, from severe drouths, he has made money, and bids fair to rank among the wealthiest farmers of Sedgwick County.

             The marriage of Mr. Crocker to Miss Katie Tapp took place Feb. 18, 1880. She is a very efficient helpmate, assisting and encouraging her husband in his work. She was born in Illinois, and is the daughter of Elijah and Rachel Tapp, of Colwich, Kan. Of this union three children have been born - Otis R., Mabel L. and Glenn.

             Mr. Crocker gives his earnest support to the Republican party. He is much interested in all things that tend to the advancement of this township, being especially interested in educational matters, having served for some time as a member of the School Board, and is at present Treasurer of that organization. He is a man of independent views, and is liberal in his beliefs, and has not connected himself with any church or society.

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