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The Alaskan Territory was purchased from Russia in the later part
of 1867, and Ulysses S. Grant was next in line for the White House, serving
2 terms until 1877.
The 1870 Fayette County Census finds the Crotser family again
in the listings. The area in which they were residing is now known as Sharon
Township, with Vera being the location of the Post Office. Nancy is listed
with 4 of her children- Henry-25, Gilbert-19, Mary A.-16, and Caroline-14.
The census taker spells their last name as Crotzer in this record. As one
can see, Henry had by this time returned from his duty in the Civil War.
This census listed both Henry and Gilbert as being farmers, Mary as going
to school, and Caroline as being at home. Why she was not attending school
at this time is unknown.
By this time David Campbell was married to Samantha Hollingshead.
The marriage took place on June 18,1968 in Fayette County. David was also
known by Campbell and even, on occasion, just as Cam. It appears that he
may have continued to use the spelling of Crotzer. It is seen this way
in the Illinois Marriage Index and in the Abstract of Estate of Benoni
Hollingshead, Samantha's father (Fayette Facts Vol. XVIII, No. 4, page
35).
Jacob also now appeared to be on his own. He eventually lived
in the Ramsey, Illinois area and passed away on February 7, 1918. He is
buried in the Ramsey Cemetery.
1871 brought the disastrous great Chicago
fire. Most of the city was destroyed, and hundreds of people lost their
lives. In the same year, the Mormon Church again became a center of controversy
when their leader, Brigham Young, was arrested for practicing polygamy.
1876 brought the invention of the telephone by Alexander Bell. Rutherford
B. Hayes was named President on March 2, 1877 by the Electoral Commission
although his opponent, Samuel Tilden, had more popular votes. 1878 brought
about the invention of the phonograph by Edison.
By 1880 the population of the country had reached 50,000,000,
and there were a total of 38 States.
The 1880 Census was the first to be handled by the Census Office
in Washington D.C., and the procedures of the count were greatly improved.
The records for this year showed Nancy, then age 59, and son, Gilbert,
living at the same residence as David Campbell. David's children, John
Henry and Sarah Caroline, are also listed in this household. David's wife,
Samantha, is not listed. Although the date of her death is not known for
certain it may have been right around this time. It is also not known if
David and his children were living at the home of his mother, Nancy, or
vice versa. David was, however, listed as the head of the household. They
were all still residing in what is now known as Sharon Township. Sharon
also then included what is now Shafter Township.
There is no other account of Caroline, but 1872 saw the marriage
of 2 of the other children. Mary Ann married David Custer on October 14,
1872 in Fayette County, and Henry was united with Sarah Ellen Hollingshead
on April 25, 1972 also in the same County. Sarah was the sister of Samantha,
David Campbell's wife- 2 sisters married 2 brothers.
The 1880 Census shows Henry, wife Sarah, and 4 year old son,
William Henry, now having their own home in Sharon. Henry was farming.
William was born February 25, 1876 in Vera. At least one more child was
born to this couple, John Homer, 11 years later in 1887.
James Garfield was then elected President defeating Winfred Hanncock
by only about 9000 popular votes. Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881 and
died in mid-September. The country was basically without a functioning
leader for this 90 day period. After his death, Chester Arthur was sworn
in as the 21st holder of the office. Charles Guiteau was convicted of Garfield's
assassination and executed in June.
Grover Cleveland next took the office in November of 1884, the
first Democratic President