The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1900-06-08
Ghs4smnrraf-S Star
LAST OF 1872.
HE HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED THE
ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
Buffalo Express.

Buffalo Exprcss.
Over 200, 900 men were enrolled in the
American armies during the war OF
1912. or this vast host one mao re-
mains on the pension rolls OF the
United States. The lonely veteran is
Hiram Cronk, OF Dunn Brook, Oneida
county, a mar 100 years old.
MI. Cronk was born on April 20. 1900,
at a humble home In the town of Frank
fort. Hcrkimer county. He came OF
sturdy Dutch stock, OF a family which
has won fame through litigation to re-
gain the CrOnk estates IN the father.
land. In the early childhood of Hiram
the family removed to Wright Settle
ment, about two and a half miles from
the city OF Rome. There the family
lived about ten years, the boy attend.
ing school and helping about the
chores. From Wright Settlement the
CrOnks migrated to a farm In the town
OF Western, then practically in the
wilderness, and 10 that neighborhood
Hiram Cronk has spent the greater
part Of his life. In 1887 he bought
about ITO acres Of land, on which he
erected the house wherein he now lives,
with his only living daughter, Mrs.
Sarah A. Rowley.
Before Hiram was fifteen years old
his spirit was aroused over the issues
Of the war, and with his father and
his two brothers, John and Jeptha, he
enlisted 10 the United States army
and went to Sackct's harbor, where he
served about 100 days. Hiram was so
young and Of such slight build that
the other soldiers tried to joke with
him, eaying that II need be his fathor
could pick him up and carry him to a
place OF safety. But such an act was
unnecessary, for 10 a skirmish with
the British the youthful soldier car.
ried himself SO well that Capt. Davis,
who had command OF the troops, said
II nc had a regiment OF such soldiers
he could 60 into Canada and fight the
enemy On their own ground. For his
services In the war OF 1912 Mr.. Cronk
gets a pension OF IS a month.
After the war the Cronks went home,
and Hiram took up tile trade of timer.
ant shoemaker. going about the coun.
tryside and repairing the footwear of
the people in their own dwellings. He
generally made the trip twice a year,
and thus kept the farmers boots in
condition for wear. When the Erie
canal was dug Mr.. Cronk was employed
on the work, and later he helped in the
construction of the Black River canal,
which joins the Erie canal at Rome.
When twenty five years OF age Hiram
met his fate and married her 10 the
person Of Mary Thornton. For sixty
years they lived happily together. She
died In 1885. Six children were born
10 them. Five OF them are living. Une
son lost his life IN the civil war. or
Grandchildren and great grandchildren
Mr.. Cr0nk has about a score.
To reach a great age seems to be the
NILE In the Cronk family. or a family
OF nine children. one sister died at 0S
and four brothers at the age OF IS, 81,
% and 81, respectively. Mr.. CrOnk is
still hearty in appearance and gets
about the home as easily as many men
thirty years his junior. He cast his
first vote for Andrew Jackson and has
voted the Democratic ticket eyer since.
His last vote was cast for Cleveland.