The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-04-28
ONLY SURVIVOR
OF WAR OF 1872 L
Hiram Ctotlk Will Celebrate
1o5t1l Birthday in New
York Tomorrow.
PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION
Sons and Daughters Of War Of
1872 Will Send Dclega-
tions to Ava.
10 The Times Dispatch.)

Especial to The Times Dispatch)
NEW YORK, April N.--Ifirann cronk,
the only survivor Of the War OF 1872, Will
be los years old OH Saturday, and q pa
triotic celebration has been planned for
that date at his home at Ava, Oneida
county.
Arrangements have been made where
by every society in the United States OF
tho sons and Daughters OF the War OF
1872 will send a delegation to Ava on the
old soldiers birthday. AS Mr.. Cronk Is
very feeble this will probably be the last
time such an opportunity will present It
sell. IL Mr. Crofls was SO weak during the
winter that he was not expected 70 sur
vive. n. ,551 S8s
or sturdy Dutch stock. Hiram Cronk
was born In the town OF FRANKFORT Her
sklmer county, N. ", and soon after was
taken by his parents 70 Wright Settle
the familylived, Hiram attending school
and doing chores" about the farm. From
there they moved to the vicinity OF his
present residence. where since 1887 he has
now possesses was d wilderness when he
built his cabin from which has been
evolved the snug houe In which he and
b only living daughter sg Mrs. Sarah a..
When Hiram Cronk was born Thomas
Jefferson was President Of the United
States. j ohm Marshall Secretary Of State,
and Samuel Dexter Secretary Of War.
Although but a mere boy, his spirit was
aroused over the issues of the second war
1 with Great Britain, and, Joining his
sHarbor as a i, enlisted man In the army
serving for 100 days. So young and
slight. was lie that the other soldiers joked
With HIN, and advised his father to pick
SAT ty.s Their TESTING was soon turned to-
admiration, however, for In a skirniish
with the British the youthful patriot carr
sried himself SO well ands appeared to
such adyantage that Captain Davis, then
commanding the troops. complimented the
boy publicly and said that IL he had
regiment of such sold lers he could invade
Canada and fight the enemy on his own
ground. # IS. S 555 81 II
hen hostlitles Ind ceased young.
tssI3nk went, home witt. his father and
goh af fade
the footwear OF the people. He covered!
Eh his CIRCUIT twice !; 'ic year and stuck to
Canal, when he sought work there, and
Satterward upon the Black River Canal.
which joins the Erie mt Rome. cronkI
the canal in a barge ! Of State, and sin ms;
day. has witnessed the changing order OF
the land, almost since the time that 1T
earth. 9 4 ID
Tieds Mary Thornton, and for sixty ears
they lived happily together, her death
occurring in q S5:: Six chill renH were born
to them. One son gave his life to his
country III In # the Civil War. # Grand
children and great and great-great-t
grand children are counted to Hiram Silas
Cronks by the score. and Tomorrow q
small army 8of them arc expected to
visit the old ancestral home.
When Andrew Jackson was candi-l
date for the presidency. Hiram Cronk
voted for, him. In religio on he is a de-
sxout Methodist, and still able to carry
the tune of tho old, familiar hymns in
"a fairly good yoice< Although deaf. his
8eysesight Is . remarkab BILE, and he Is yet
able e, TO Aread clear print with the aid
tob 3a eco and chews almost constantly.
trary, Mr.; Cronk is; not able to plowi d
he saw and split ali the wood for the
family use, but he = is remarkably hale
for his years, walks with the aid OF a
cane and evlnces an interest In current
affairs. He is the only original pensoner
of 1912, dra wing s12 monthly until his
creased it to SIS Some years ago 60 the the
Legislature of New Y ork voted d him a
pension Of ls72 q month. and with All ad-
iditional small income from his farm, a he
mana ges to 1.-Two Very comfortably b
The story, Of the times of Iran Silas
.Cronk Is the story of tho development
/ OF the nation. lie is q the last OF the pa
trlots of 1872, the last link connecting tho
simplicity Of X Jefferson 8 day with 1.-The
strenuous cOmplexityt OF the present ~