John F. Cromley

John F. Cromley - We have with us today a youngster who will celebrate his 95th birthday anniversary December 17th, and who is also this community's only surviving Civil War Veteran.

'Neighbor' cromley was born in Sandusky county, Ohio and moved to Indiana when he was nine years old. For five or six years he lived on a farm near Monterey and then came to Culver

. After operating a meat market. Mr. cromley served 15 years as town constable, and one term as deputy sheriff.

He was 17 years old when he joined the 53rd Indiana Volunteer Infrantry Company H, and served for two years. with the boys in blue. His service ranged along the Atlantic seaboard, from Washington D.C. to Charlestonw, S. C.

'Neighbor' carried his years well and is sill more active than many a man 30 years his junior. his favorite hobby is fishing and his skill has earned him the title of Culver's no. One angler.

The above picture was unposed, and was taken as Mr. cromley was sunning himself in the front yard of the home of his son, Roy Cromley, with whom he makes his home. From One townssteryears:

"Neighbor" CROMLEY homestead, gone now, which stood on Main Street where RECTOR's Pharmacy is now. It was still there around 1898, as a number of people recollect, an old frame house, which sat back from the street a bit and had a yard a round it. The yard was fenced. -

Of the five children, John F. known in later years as "Neighbor" CROMLEY, was the senior. He was born December 17, 1845, and in 1934 is still living. At the time this is written, he approaches his eighty-ninth birthday, which will be celebrated in December. Although he has just been through a spell of disability in the hospital, his physical condition is promising and his indomitable spirit is unshaken. For he is made of the real old pioneer stuff. He resides on Lake View Street in Culver. "Neighbor" CROMLEY is one of the of the veterans of the Civil War in this part of the county, and practically the last remaining in the township. Only two answered the roll call in 1934.

Wednesday, March 12, 1941 Rochester Sentinel

Plymouth, Ind., March 12. - died yesterday of pneumonia. Born in Ohio, he moved to Culver at age ten. He operated a meat market at Culver for many years. Three sons survive.