McCrea - Edward T.
Source: H. W. Beckwith, 1881 History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: Hill) p 520
Edward T. McCREA, New Richmond, was born April 20, 1836 in Shelby County, Indiana and is a son of John & Elizabeth (Templeton) McCrea. John Mc Crea was a native of Saratoga County NY and his wife of Virginia. They moved to Ohio and in 1835 to Shelby County, Indiana where she died in 1852 and he in 1859. He was a farmer, and also kept a tan yard. In politics he was Whig & Republican. There were 10 children in the family, 3 boys & 7 girls; all of whom are living, the youngest being 36.
Edward T. was raised on the farm and in the tanyard when not at school. He entered Franklin College at 16, where he remained 3 years. He then attended Hanover in Jefferson County, Indiana 1 and 1/2 years. Returning home he raised a company of men in Shelby County for the civil war. His company was known as Co. D 33 Indiana Infantry of which he was Captain. For a long time he acted as Col. in place of Col. John Coburn who acted in a higher position. Mr. McCrea served in the battles of Wild Cat Kentucky; Franklin, Chickamauga, Buzzard's Roose; Resaca, New Hope Church; Dallas Woods, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee, Marietta, Big Shanty, Peach Tree Creek, Rough & Ready, battles around Atlanta & many more. He was at Thomson's Station where one half of his regiment was captured and taken to Libby prison. He was neither wounded nor captured. He was discharged Sept 24, 1864 and returned home.
In 1867 he settled in Coal Creek Twp, Montgomery County, Indiana, where he now lives. Mr. McCrea is foremost in the political affairs of his township, yet never seeks office. He is an Odd Fellow. Mr. McCrea was married July 30, 1867 to Jessie L. Draper, daughter of Jesse Draper of Monroe County, Indiana. She was born in Monroe Feb 2, 1845. Both Mr. & Mrs. McCrea are Methodist. They have 3 children: Edward H; William and John. -- typed by kbz
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Source: Bowen, A.W. History of Montgomery County, Indiana, Coal Creek Township, P. 1121
The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Montgomery County, for Mr. McCrea has been actively identified with the agricultural interests of Coal Creek Township for many years and has been interested in public affairs. His well directed efforts in the practical things of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgement have brought to him prosperity, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition who is not afraid of work and has the ambition to continue his labors, even in the face of seemingly discouraging circumstances. Mr. McCrea has been content to spend his long life in the Hoosier state, and he is truly a product of pioneer days, for having been born here more than three quarters of a century ago, he has lived through the wonderful epoch of change that has taken place, and he recalls many interesting incidents of his early life in the woods when practically everything was different from what it is today. He is now living practically retired from the active duties of life, merely overseeing his fine farm in a general way, the actual work being done by renters, and his declining years are singularly free from wants and cares. He is one of our honored veterans of the Civil War that rendered conspicuous service to the Union. Ed T. McCrea was born on April 20, 1836 in Shelby County, Indiana. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Templeton) McCrea. The father was born in the state of New York in 1787, and his death occurred in Indiana on March 18, 1859. He was a Tanner by trade, and he also followed farming. He spent his early life in his native state, finally removing to Shelby County, Indiana, where he established the future home of the family. The mother of our subject was born in 1805, and her death occurred in March, 1852. Ten children were born to John and Elizabeth McCrea, six of whom are still living. Ed. T. McCrea grew to manhood in Shelby County, this state, assisting with the general work about the place, and he received a common school education.
On July 30, 1867 he was united in marriage to Jessie L. Draper, who was born on February 22, 1846. She is still living. Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely Edward, H., who is the possessor of natural talent as a musician, lives at home: William, who married Mary Copeland, lives in Greentown, above Korona: John married Mary A. Hadley, and they live in Coal Creek Township, this county. Mr. McCrea worked with his father in the Tanning Business for some time when a young man, later launching out in the general merchandise business which he was engaged in at the commencement of the Civil War.
He gladly left a growing business and the comforts of home and went out amid the horrors of War in order to do what he could toward suppressing the hosts of treason, and he endured the hardships of camp, march and battle. On August 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Shelbyville, and was at once elected captain of that company. He served in Kentucky and Tennessee, then from Cumberland Gap returned back north to the Ohio River. He was engaged in fifty-five battles and skirmishes. He was honorably discharged on September 16, 1864, having proved, according to his comrades, a very faithful soldier for the government. After his career in the army Mr. McCrea returned to Indiana and took up general farming and stock raising, making a specialty at one time of Polaugus Black Cattle, he having been the first man in Montgomery County that raised this popular breed for sale, and he became widely known in this way. Owing to the superior grade of his cattle they found a very ready market. Mr. McCrea is now the owner of one of the finest farms in Coal Creek Township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, all tillable and under a high state improvement. He gave each of his children forty acres and at one time owned for hundred acres. He is now retired and rents out his land. Politically, he is a Progressive and is much interested in the new movement. He has long taken a leading interest in public affairs, and has wielded a potent influence for good in his locality in a civil way. He was a trustee in his county for one term, and was a representative to the legislature two terms, during which he did much for the permanent good of his locality and won the hearty commendation of his constituents. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic Order of New Richmond. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being a trustee in the same. - typed by kbz
Note: See also his obituary