Thaddeus E. Cromley
Hon. Thaddeus E. Cromley, A.M., the former popular, enterprising and useful Representative from Pickaway County to the Sixty-eighth and Sixty-ninth General Assembly of Ohio, is at present residing in Walnut Township. He is a native of this county, having been born in the above-named township, June 21, 1843. His parents, William and Sarah E. (Staige) Cromley, were natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Pickaway County, this State. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Richard Staige, entered from the Government the land whereon the Hon. Mr. Cromley makes his home at the present time.
William Cromley emigrated to this State at an early day, from Lehigh County, Pa., and located with his father, Conrad Cromley, in Walnut Township, where the latter-named gentleman passed the remainder of his life. To the parents of our subject two children were born: Thaddeus E., and Mary J., who is now the widow of William H. Morris, of Ashville, this State. Mr. Cromley was very prominent in local affairs and served Walnut Township in the capacity of Trustee for several years. In his political belief, he was a Democrat and was warmly interested in all measures advocated by his party. At his death he left an estate of eight hundred acres of valuable land, a sufficient proof of the fact that he was a successful business man and a good financier.
Thaddeus E. Cromley was reared on his fatlier's farm and attended school in a little log cabin, with a puncheon floor, slab seats, etc., until about twelve years of age. Four years later, he entered the Circleville Union Schools, there preparing himself for college, and in 1861 became a student in Kenyon College, at Gambier, this State. He took the full collegiate course and was graduated in 1865 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him.
Owing to close application to his studies while in college, Mr. Cromley 's health failed him, and instead of choosing a professional life he preferred outdoor employment and became an agriculturist. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters and served as a member of the School Board for a number of terms He has been the recipient of various official positions, for a number of years being identified with the Town Council of Ashville, and Trustee of Walnut and Harrison Townships. He has been an active worker in the ranks of Democracy, and in 1886 was selected by that party as a Representative from Pickaway County. On the expiration of his term of office, he was re-elected, in 1888, serving until January, 1892. In 1890, he was nominated for Secretary of State, but was defeated by about ten thousand votes.
October 6, 1870, our subject was united in marriage with Mary R., daughter of Isaac D. and Sarah A. Miller, the former of whom is deceased and the latter makes her home in Harrison Township. Mrs. Cromley was born in the above-named township and in her youth was given a good education. She is a most estimable lady and has many warm friends in this locality. Her parents were early settlers of Harrison Township and were born in the Old Dominion.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cromley have been born eight children, all of whom are living with one exception. They bear the respective names of Charles E., Alvah M., Metta M., Amy L., Annie G. (deceased), Willie C, Anna M, and Thaddeus R. Mr. Cromley is the proprietor of a magnificent estate of eight hundred acres which bears excellent improvements in the way of buildings and machinery, for the owner believes that the best methods and latest improvements bring him in the largest returns.
The Hon. Thaddeus E. Cromley is a member of the Grange and the Knights of Honor, serving the latter order as Dictator of Lodge No. 3005. While in the Legislature, he was Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, and was Chairman, pro tern, of the Committee on Agriculture. He was the framer and author of a Farmers' Institute Bill, making the Farmers' Institute a permanent organization in different counties. He was also identified with the development and with the practical work of the Ohio Experimental Station, at present located at Columbus. These two bills, especially, gave him a State reputation and were the means of securing him the nomination for Secretary of State. As a Legislator, he reflected great credit upon himself and his constituents, the welfare of the public always being held in view by him in the light of patriotism. He is a cultured and educated gentleman, of high financial and social standing, enjoying the entire confidence of the public. The biographer found him to be genial, hospitable, entertaining and thoroughly conversant with the leading topics agitating the body politic to-day. We are, therefore, pleased to be able to place before our readers the life sketch and portrait of so honorable and influential a gentleman, who is widely and favorably known throughout the State as a man of uprightness and thorough honesty of heart.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]