PFC Estler Crosson (1904-1927)
BUTLERVILLE BOY KILLED IN BATTLE
Radiogram Tells of Death of Estler Crosson in Managua Battle
An official announcement from Marine headquarters at Managua, Nicaragua,
Monday, told of the death of Estler Crosson, 22, of Butlerville, a member
of the Marine Corps
stationed in that country.
Five marines were killed and twenty-three were wounded in a severe engagement
with rebel forces on the outskirts of Quilali, Nicaragua, last Friday,
and it was in this engagement that Crosson was killed. The marines were
aiding Nicaraguan Nationalist forces in ridding that country of outlawry.
The young man who met death in service of his country was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Otto Crosson, Butlerville, and a grandson of the late Matilda
Hicks, of Blanchester. He joined the Marine Corps at Cincinnati in June,
1925, and from there he was sent to the Marine Base at Quantico, Va.,
from which place he was sent on the mission that resulted in his death.
The parents did not receive word of the death of their son until early
Monday morning, when a radiogram transmitted through Washington was sent
to them. Later advices from headquarters stated that all of the boys killed
in battle Friday were buried at Quilali because of climatic conditions
and the lack of transportation facilities. The body will be brought to
this country as soon as practicable.
Mrs. Crosson, who has been an invalid for some time, suffered severely
from the shock of the sad news. To add to the troubles of the family,
word was received of the death of Mr. Crosson’s father, Martin V.
Crosson, of Degraff, Ohio, early Friday morning.
Surviving the young man, besides the parents, are two sisters and one
brother all living at Butlerville with their parents. He is also a nephew
of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Whitacre, of Lebanon.
Source: "Butlerville
Boy Killed in Battle," Estler Crosson obituary, unnamed paper
date 5 Jan 1928
Copy from the Obituary Collection at the Warren
County Genealogical Society,
by
Arne H Trelvik
18 July 2013
JAMES, CROSSON
A Prominent Citizen Born in Warren, Dies in Clermont.
The announcement of the death of Hon. James Crosson,
which took place at his home in Wayne township, Clermont county, on Sunday
morning, May 3, is made and will be received with regret. He had been
steadily declining in health and strength for the past two years, so that
at any time during that period his death would not have been a surprise
to his friends. He himself noted the lengthening shadows, the indescribable,
almost imperceptible haze, that begins to make itself manifest just after
middle life, and felt the chill that comes with it, just as after the
middle of the brightest summer we are warned by many signs and portents
that a change is approaching, that something that was beautiful is fading,
that something that was fragrant is losing Its sweetness, that something
which we cling to is slipping from our grasp - not oppressing us with
much regret, because we know that the autumn will develop new beauties,
and that though the gayest scenes of the year have passed there is a tender
sweetness in the note of Bob White, who takes the place of bright songsters,
and that forest and sky, meadow and bottom lands, hill top and valley,
the stream, and the roadway that ends at the old home gate, will ever
be beautiful, no matter in what garb nature may dress them.
Mr. Crosson noted these changes, and often during his
visits to Batavia he spoke of them and of the death of men with whom he
had been familiar, and of the coming in of the new, the going out of the
old, and the decline of all things that can never seem, in the eyes of
the aged, as good, as bright, as perfect, as the things of the good old
days when we were boys. On each visit the pallor of the old gentleman's
face seemed to have grown more intensified. His voice took on a childish
treble, his once hearty laugh had thinned down to a silent smile, and
his footsteps grew more tremulous as
they approached the end. Often we wondered if he could live to get home,
and often as he came his friends were saddened by the indications of rapid
decline. And now that he is gone the writer feels to pay such tribute
to his memory as only poor words can give to one who was honorable in
his dealings, manly In his manhood, just and charitable In his conclusions,
true to his friends, generous to his foes and fair to all his fellows.
He was a friend to the poor, giving aid without question, and sympathy
without reserve. By reason of his easy good nature, his generous heart,
genial disposition, he was loved by his fellow men, politics being obliterated
in the better and purer light of friendship. He has passed from the scene
that was enhanced by his action in it, and the gavel has fallen on a life
that was a blessing to many another life.
James Crosson was the second son of William
Crosson, who settled in Morrow in 1806. He was born June 12, 1823,
and thus lacked but a few days of having reached his 68th year. He was
married in 1847 to Miss Michel Butler, of Warren county,
and settled on a fine farm in Wayne township in 1848. He had by his wife
one son, who died at the age of 22, in 1874. His wife died in 1876. Deceased
was an old line Democrat, and in 1852 was elected township assessor, and
later justice of the peace, in which office he served six years. In 1861
he was elected sheriff of the county, and re elected in 1865. In 1877
his friends sent him to the legislature to represent the county, which
he did in a manner acceptable to his constituents and to the public satisfaction.
He was, however, defeated for the second term by a small majority. He
was a prominent member of the masonic order, and was a charter member
of Batavia chapter 112 royal arch masons. He was buried yesterday from
his home on the old farm, which was cleared and cultivated by his own
hands. No man who ever knew Mr. Crosson but will sincerely breathe a heartfelt
sigh to his memory and a whispered peace to his dust. -
Clermont Courier.
Source: "James Crosson," obituary,
Lebanon (Ohio) Gazette 14 May 1891
Copy from the Obituary Collection at the Warren
County Genealogical Society,
by
Arne H Trelvik
18 July 2013