HON. NATHAN CREWS, merchant, grain-dealer and farmer; P.O. Merriam. The history of the CREWS family is very interesting; they have figured a great deal in the early settlement of Illinois. Sketches of the family can be found in many county histories. The subject of this sketch was born September 3, 1825, in Wayne county, ILL. His father, James CREWS, was born in 1798 in North Carolina. He died in this County. He was a farmer and Methodist Episcopal Minister by occupation. He was principally reared in East Tennessee, near the home of Gen. Andrew JACKSON.
In 1816, he came to White County and in 1818 came to Wayne County ILL., with his parents, Andrew and Ritter BRADLEY CREWS. Here he was married to Elizabeth OWENS, a native of Virginia, who had lived several years in Kentucky, but who came to this county in an early day and died here. She was the mother of ten children, of whom five are now living.
James CREWS is well remembered by old settlers and died here in 1880. He held the office of Justice of the Peace and was a member of the County Board. His memory is cherished by those with whom he came in contact. Out subject went to school only about three months in his life, devoting most of his time to farming, which has been his main occupation in life, owning at present a farm of 140 acres. He holds with the Republican party, but has a good many Democratic friends, which was shown when he was elected to the Legislature. He served his neighbors in the capacity of Justice of the Peace four years and was twice elected to the Legislature, the first time in 1860, being an independent candidate and elected principally by the Republican, Bell and Democratic parties. In 1880, he was elected as a Republican candidate, but received a large Democratic vote; and in 1878 filled the office of Door-keeper in the House of Representatives. The A. F.& M. fraternity of the Fairfield Lodge claim him as one of their active members.
In January, 1882, he put up a store in Merriam, in Barnhill Township, on the L.E. & St. L. R. R., keeping a general stock of merchandise. He also put up a warehouse and buys grain.
Mr. CREWS has been married three times
His first wife Marie CANNON died in 1858, leaving three children--
His second wife, Margaret BEACH, died in 1863.
His present wife, Clotilda A. NYE, born July 5, 1846, in Meigs county, Ohio, was a daughter of Marshall and Zillah STIVERS NYE, both natives of Ohio. Her grandfather, Nial NYE, was of Holland descent and a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Four children blessed this union--
Mr. and Mrs. CREWS are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the spring of 1846, while Mr. CREWS was in New Orleans, during the Mexican War, he heard of the battle of Resaca de la Palma and being of an adventure-loving disposition, he enlisted immediately on arriving home in the Third Illinois Volunteer Regiment, Company F, commanded by Capt. John A. CAMPBELL. He participated in many thrilling scenes, among others the siege and capture of Vera Cruz and the battle of Cerro Gordo. After a twelve months' service, he returned home and engaged in farming till the breaking out of the civil War while he was in the Legislature in Springfield and upon the adjournment that body, he hurried home, staying only one night with his family and then enlisted in the Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Regiment, Company G. Here is an example of true patriotism worthy of imitation and reward. He enlisted as Private, but was elected First Lieutenant and from that was promoted to Captain, and after the fall of Maj. EATON at Shiloh, he was promoted to Major, which office he occupied till July, 1864, when he was compelled to resign on account of sickness, and wounds received in different engagements, of which the main ones were Fort Donelson and Shiloh.
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