Civil War Stories

A gentleman came in the other day and he was disappointed his ancestor wasn’t included in the display. Most of the photos we have were taken in the 1920’s and he had passed away in 1901, but still he should be celebrated.

His name was Oliver Crowder and I’m going to tell you a portion of his life story.

Oliver was born in Hamilton County in Ohio on January 10th, 1847 to Richard and Mary Crowder. He enlisted as a Private in the Union Army as part of Company K of the 47th Illinois Volunteer Infantry on September 17th, 1861 and was discharged October 12th, 1864.

This unit was originally organized in Peoria, Illinois on August 16th, 1861 but moved several places after. They took part in the capture of Tiptonville, the siege of Corinth, the Battle of Iuka, the siege of Vicksburg, the Red River Campaign, the Battle of Pleasant Hill and many others. Several men were discharged in Springfield in October of 1864, but the remainder of the unit was reorganized and then later mustered out January 21st, 1866.

After the war Oliver joined the Grand Army of the Republic and farmed in York County. He married Parmelia (Amelia) Anderson on March 7th, 1873 in the home of her parents John and Mary Ann Anderson. The Anderson family is known as being the first to homestead in all of York County.

Oliver and Amelia received their deed to homestead on April 1st, 1875. They had 12 children.

Oliver died on May 22nd, 1901 and is buried in Blue Valley Cemetery in McCool Junction. Amelia is buried next to Oliver, but her grave is unmarked.
​

We’ll be posting stories, just like Oliver’s, through the month of February on our social media. If you had an ancestor who fought and are willing to share their story, please send it our way and we’ll include it in our posts!