Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-24

DEATH or \ LrNEAL DESCENDANT OF
OLIVER CROMWELL, CAPTAIN JOSEPH
HOWARD CnoMwELL.-The following obit-
uary notice is from the Cincinnati Daily
Commercial of Feb. LIST. As the widow of
Capt. Cromwell formerly lived in this viii
lage, and was well known to many of our
readers in this place as Melissa Hyde, and
also in Guilford, where we believe she was
born, Il will he read with interest.
Captain Joseph Howard Cromwell died,
Jan. 3lst, at his residence at Yellow Springs,
Ohio, aged eighty-tvc years. lie was one
of our oldest citizens, and for forty years,
one of the most prominent and useful. lie
was believed to be lneal descendant of
Oliver Cromwell. A grandson of Henry,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, third son of
the great Cromwell settled in Maryland in
the eighteenth century, and of one of his
grandsons came the subject of our sketch.
lie was born on Il farm near Baltimore in
May, 1856. Before reaching his majority
he shipped before the mast on merchant
man, running away from home for that
purpose. After making II voyage or two,
he became mate of vessel, and finally
walked his own quarterback as Captain of
the "Chasseur,' a tlect-sailing merchant
man. In the war of 1872 this vessel became
privateer, with Captain Cromwell still in
command. Her career was short, rs she
was captured by a British man-of-war.
Captain Cromwell's captivity was not of
long duration however. In 1919, having
married Miss Margaret Parrish, he came to
this city and made ii his home. His first
transaction here was a flour speculation,
buying and shipping to New Orleans,
! which turned out to he financial disaster.
| In 1921 he moved into and reopened the old
Washington Hall, hotel on Front street,
| between Main and Walnut. Here he re-
NAMED until ls2S, when he took charge of
| the old Cincinnati Hotel, where the Spen-
Ger House now stands. lie conducted the
Cincinnati Hotel successfully for ten years,
gaining an enviable reputation as land
lord in those early days in Cincinnati hos
| telries and then took charge of the then
grand hotel of the city, The old Broadway,
which he managed until lSG2, when, hav-
ing acquired an ample fortune and raised a
large family, he retired to a pleasant place
| at yellow springs, Wnere ne relllalheu uh-
til his death His health for two o. three
years past had been very poor and at times
he has been great sufferer. Death, how
ever, came to him like the approach of a
gentle slumber. and he doubtless welcomed
it.
Captain Cromwell leaves five daughters
and son. The latter, a man of family,
lives in Indiana. Four Of the daughters
are married, one living in Europe and the
others in this city. His grandchildren
number twenty or more; and there is enc
great erondchild The Captains children
were all by his first wife, we believe. His
second wife who survives him, (born Miss
Hyde of Brattleboro, Nermont,) he married
in 1910. Deceased was a grandson, also, OF
Violet Gest, sister of National Gcst, who
was a noted officer in Braddocl' S army al
the time of that Generals defeat.
Captain Cromwell was well known, and
the announcement of his death will recall
his name and familiar face to thousands o
his old friends and guests. He was an up
right and useful citizen, kindly liberal anC
honorable, leading IA hlameless life and
leaving spotloSs reputation.