Crockett, Orington A. (History

ORINGTON A. CROCKETT, a prosperous dairyman and general farmer of Section 6, Washburn Township, was born at Elmira, N. Y., May 9, 1867, son of Benjamin B. and Lucy R. (Wilbur) Crockett. The father, born Nov. 26, 1826, in Maine, was a carpenter by trade, but took up farming in Maine. In the Civil War he served three years and a half in the 16th Maine Regiment, afterwards returning to Elmira, N. Y., where his family were awaiting him, they regarding that place as their home. In 1870 he came west to Burroak Prairie, Washington County, Wis., where he rented a farm and stayed two years. In 1872, on the 20th of March, he homesteaded forty acres of wild land in Section 18, Washburn Township, Clark County, where he built a log house and barn and began the work of improvement with a team of oxen. There he stayed until 1894, when he moved to Section 6, Washburn Township, residing here six years. He then took up his residence in Merrill, Wis., where his death occurred Jan. 27, 1909.

He was married to Lucy R. Wilbur, April 26, 1850, at Elizabeth, Maine. She was born Mar. 14, 1837. Their children-eleven in number were: Augustine, Orington (first, who is deceased), Ella, Rosa, Ida, Lillian, Fidilla, Nellie (deceased), Orington A., Avice, and Eddie. Orington A. Crockett received his schooling in Clark County and remained with his parents until he was 21 years old. Having learned the carpenter's trade he then worked at it for about eleven years during the summers, being employed in the woods in winter.

On Sept. 11, 1892, he was united in marriage with Maude Hanks, their wedding taking place in Neillsville. She was a daughter of Orin and Ruth (Clark) Hanks, her father being a farmer in Clark County. Beginning domestic life on the home farm, Mr. Crockett has since remained here, and from the forty acres of wild land of which the farm consisted at that time, he has increased its size to 133 acres and developed it into a good piece of agricultural property. He is interested in the Wausau Creamery, which he helped to start, and has been prominent in local affairs, having served on the school board as clerk and treasurer for the last twenty-three years, and formerly, for six years, as treasurer of the township board.

He and his wife are the parents of twelve children: Thor H., born Mar. 28, 1893, now deceased Clifford C., born Dec. 28, 1895, who resides at home Ruth A., born Oct. 14, 1897, now a school teacher residing at home Ella, born July 29, 1899 Theron, Feb. 23, 1901 Avice, May 7, 1903 Irene, June 17, 1905 Verlin, May 14, 1907 Allen, June 9, 1909 Eunice, Feb. 13, 1911 Ray, Mar. 14, 1912, and Daniel, Oct. 26, 1913, all of whom reside at home.

Orington A. & Maud (Hanks) Crockett

Orington A. Crockett was born along with his twin sister, Avis, May 9, 1867, in Elmira, New York. About 1872, his parents moved the family to Washburn Township, Clark Co., Wisconsin. He attended the Carlyle School where he met his future wife, Maud Hanks.

Orington did carpenter work during the summer months and worked at logging camps during the winter months. He and Maud were married when he was 21 years old and began clearing forty acres of wild land, which they later increased it to 133 acres of prosperous farmland. He was active in civic affairs, serving both as town treasurer and town chairman at various times. He was on the school board for twenty-three years, serving as either clerk or treasurer. He was among the founders of the Neillsville Farmers' Union, Neillsville Shipping Association, the Clark Electric Co-operative, and the Neillsville Milk Products Co-operative. He patronized the Wausau Creamery.

When they moved to Neillsville, his son, Allen, took over the family farm and raised another generation of the family there. By 1981, the farm had been in the family for over eight-one years.

Children

Thor Hanks Crockett
[Died as Child]
Clifford Clive Crockett
Ruth Ann Crockett
Ella May Crockett
Theron Percy Crockett
Avice Marie Crockett
Lillian Irene Crockett
Verlin (Bozo) Roger Crockett
Allen (Andy) Benjamin Crockett
Eunice Prudence Crockett
Ray Alvin Crockett
Daniel Marion Crockett
Robert (Bob) Lewis Crockett

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Contributors

Bruce Crockett & Janet Schwarze.