Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-12-02
Reunion of Ran and Wife after
Separation of over Eorty-seven Years.

From the Burlington, (Iowa1 Hawkcye Nov. T.
T Sometime during the month of February
last, Alessrs. Shepard & Overton, Attorneys at
Law in this city, were applied to by son of
Mrs Crull, of Louisa county in this State. to-
if possible, obtain for her dowry in certain
lands, supposed to be part of the Military
Tract of the State of Illinois. This tract of
land the reader will recollect, embraces large
part OF the western part of that State, and was
set apart by the T. s., as part compensation
to the soldiers of the war of 1912. That
her husband was a soldier in that war,
having enlisted in the army while on visit of
business to the city of Philadelphia, his resi-
dence 1ag few miles out Of the city, and
in the s..te of Pennsylvania. Since his en-
listuent, Mrs. CrulI has heard nothing from
him, except a mere rumor that he was killed
in an engagement with the enemy near Lake
Champlain, and, as Mrs. Crull had never mar
ried again, she would as bis widow, be entitled
to at least dowry in any lands her husband
might be entitled to as such soldier.
Nj ssrs. s. s o. Immediately set themselves
to find the land to which her right Of dowry
would attach. After q long and thorough
search among government, State and county
records, they ascertaincd that the land in ques-
ton was situated in Hancock county Illinois,
and that it had been entered with land war
by Mr. crull himself, in the year 1878 thus
plainly showing that he was not killed, Us
ported and that perhaps he might still be alive.
They consequently set about finding the lost
man but no further trace of him could they
make out from government or county records,
as his wife nor any other of his acquaintanccs
had ever heard from him, further than the
cords showed ; it seemed pretty clear that he
was not alive. But his death was not suffi-
ciently established for their purpose. Messrs.
s. & o. addressed letters to their numerous
correspondents in the States of New FORK
and Vermont, near where Crull's company
would be likely to have been stationed during
the war, making inquiries for him. Among
the many answers received by them, was one
from Irwin w. Near, Esq, of Clayton, Jeffer-
son county, \. Y, containing a letter from the
long lost man, stating that he was yet alive and
in good health, and was surprised and nearly
overcome with joy to learn that his wife and
children were still alive. This settled the ques
ton of the dover, as well as the receiving by
Messrs. S. & o., the fees for obtaining it for
Mrs. Crull. Although disappointed in the, to
IA lawyer, best part of a good or bad case, the
reception Of a snug fee, they were determined
not to give it up, but went to work in earnest,
to bring about a reunion of the now ancient
and long lost couple for lost they really were
to each other. This was easily effected, as nei-
thersef the parties had married again. although
both suppos, d each other long since dead. 1t
seems that soon after the enlistment of MIR.
Crull. Mrs. Crull finding it difficult to support
herself and her two children, one a babe re-
moved 70 another part Of the State. and there
heans,l:5 that her llushspd was killed, made no
further efforts to Led of him. And he, after
his discharge, returned to the town where he
formerly resided, and was there told that his
wife and children had moved away, and since
died. Believing himself alone in the world, he
left forever his old residence and associates. and
took up his abode in Jefferson county, n. Y,
where he has since resided, ever cherishing in
fond remembrance his now to him, forever lost
family. After years of hard toll and success
full effort, and the marriage of her only daugh-
sor-n-law, moved to this State, and settled in
W5ppe!lo, Louisa county. where she has since
resided in the family of her daughter.
\ few days since Mr. Crull arrived in Wap-
pello eager to see her, whom he had mourned
as dead and once again behold bis children.
But what change forty-seven years had
brought about. A formal introduction was
needed to acquaint those who should have
spent their lives together.