Silas Crocker
Silas Crocker, farmer, P. O. Shalersville, was born April 3, 1799, in Chelsea, Vt, His father, David Crocker, was born in Norwich, New London Co., Conn., March 23, 1760, and came to Ohio in 1828. He was married to Sarah Jones, in New Hampshire, where she died, having blessed him with seven children: Charles, Jesse, Candace, David, Jabez, Silas and James H. Silas Crocker received his education in the country schools. In the spring of 1805 his father's family moved to Lebanon, N. H., and in 1808 his mother died, the family moved back from New Hampshire to Chelsea, Vt., in 1809, and in 1811 our subject joined the Thompson family at Williamstown, Vt. In the month of February, 1814, the Thompsons started for Ohio, young Silas going with them, and March 18, 1814, they arrived at Shalersville. They came via Buffalo, which at that time had but one house, the city having been destroyed by fire by the British. There were sixteen families in Shalersville when they arrived, and were all living in log-cabins. Streetsboro was yet unknown to settlers, and, together with Freedom Township, served for hunting grounds for a number of years. Mr. Crocker remembers having seen, as a result of a pioneer hunt in Freedom Township, twenty-five dead bears and nine wolves. He remained with the Thompson family until twenty-one years of age, when he began life for himself. He applied himself to his books during evenings, and obtained a practical knowledge of surveying. As the county became settled, he did considerable business in dividing lands and surveying roads. He also worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade for many years. He learned the distilling business, and followed it for three years. In the fall of 1824 Mr. Crocker returned to his native country to visit his relatives, and 
his expressed satisfaction with the Western country induced them to locate here later. February 4, 1827, our subject was married to Cynthia, daughter of Jonas and Eleanor Goodell, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively, and the parents, of Dianthia, Linda, Carlton, Polly, Cynthia, Samuel, Sophia, George and Frinda. To Mr, and Mrs. Crocker were born two children: Homer, born February 4, 1828, killed by the kick of a horse April 13, 1839, and Sylvia, born August 10, 1835, married December 6, 1857, to Lyman T. Hine, and died of consumption June 28, 1860. Mr. Hine has one son, Horace L., born February 26, 1859, who has lived with his grandfather, our subject, since he was three years old. He is an energetic young man, full of pluck and honesty, and ere long will be the possessor of a fair estate, the result of Mr. Crocker's labors. It is for him that our subject has inserted a portrait of himself and wife in the History of Portage County, and he will assuredly appreciate it as a gift "more precious than gold." Mr. Crocker voted first for Monroe, in 1820, for President, and has cast seventeen Presidential votes. He is an enthusiastic Republican. He is an A. F. & A. M. In 1881 he built a barn, doing the carpentering himself, and in 1883 he did the carpentering on a sugar house. He has been one of the Directors of the First National Bank in Ravenna since its organization in 1864. He never used tobacco in any form, and drinks no intoxicating liquor. Silas Crocker's connection with Portage County has been one of honor and integrity, and coming generations will review his worthy career with sincere gratification.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885