Need Help With Info On Token

The Crooks drugstore was built in 1878 after the previous building was destroyed by fire. Also destroyed were Mrs. Foos' millinery and Dan Duree's grocery and the post office. Dr. Crooks had a bear named "Cuff" which he had mounted on an apple tree stub after its death and it presented an imposing picture in front of his drugstore back in the 1890's. Unfortunately this building, which was one of Bridgeton's historic treasures, was torn down in 1999.

http://www.bridgetonindiana.com/history/index.htm

this is george's father I think


Crooks Drug Store
Dr. James Crooks had this one story, clapboarded, gable front building erected in 1878. It replaced an earlier store house owned by Crooks which had burned. While under construction, Crooks ran his business from the second floor of his store house (building 2). The store front has the usual three part design: two large display windows with kick panels on either side of an entry. In this case the entry is recessed and has sidelights on the short perpendicular walls. The door has a single large light. The plain gable end has simple frieze boards and a ledge-like cornice implying a pediment.
In 1893, Crooks sold his stock to his son George B. and Frank Rogers. The building continued to serve as a drug store for many years. In recent years, it has been a restaurant, gift shop, and art studio.

I think this is the original building built before the fire. (
1874 park county atlas page 55


link to site where photo found:
http://www.ingenweb.org/inparke/187...ntyAtlas.htm

I have not come across any specific info on the coin itself yet, sorry abut that. But at least there is some background information in case you didn't have any.

malissa

just let me know when you wold like me to stop looking and posting. :)

Crooks Manor



Italianate Style Home — Built 1883

Currently the private residence of Bart and Debra Barnes. Built by Dr. James Crooks, Bridgeton's first physician----constructed from brick made on the premises. The walls are 14 inches thick and the original ornately patterned slate and tern-metal roof is still in place. The iron fence is a portion of the fence which surrounded the old courthouse in Rockville.

Dr. Crooks played a prominent role in Bridgeton history from 1856 until his death in 1908, including manufacture of proprietary medicine, operating a drugstore, and publishing a newspaper. He was a prominent Mason and was instrumental in getting the Masonic lodge organized in Bridgeton. The Lodge still exists to this day, housed in a building built by Dr. Crooks in 1869. His autobiography tells of extensive travels later in his life---always seeking additional medical and business knowledge. He was one of the true early pioneers and entrepreneurs in this area.

Later owners of Crooks Manor were George B. Crooks, Fred Jackman, Ralph Chezem, Clarence Stiles and Jack Hale. Merrill and Emma Thompson operated it as a guest house from 1987—1999. Much of the house remains as it was in Dr. Crooks' time.

OK sorry for the length of the following post. I figured if I just paste in the family information I found you may be able to sit down for a bit and link out who was who's ancestor. A little family tree may help your search better.

Charles CROOKS, senior member of the firm of Crooks & Cahill, general merchants at Bridgeton was born January 7, 1864 in Raccoon Township, about 1 1/2 miles north of the village of Bridgeton. He is the eldest of 8 children included in the family of William and Mary A. Martin Crooks. His father, William was born in New Discovery, Parke County August 17, 1833 and was the son of James N. and Annie Nevins Crooks. The great grandfather of our subject, Samuel Crooks, was one of the pioneers of Parke County and settled in New Discovery where he died many years ago. Grandfather Crooks died in the same place when his son, William was a young man. William Nevins, maternal great grandfather of our subject was one of the early settlers of Parke County but we have been unable to glean any information concerning the ancestry of this family. William Crooks, the father of our subject was the 3rd in a family of 10: Margaret, who married John N. Gailey and lives in Union Township; Mary Jane, Mrs. Alexander Nevins, who died leaving four children; William, who in 1857 married Mary Ann Martin, a native of Mansfield; Samuel, now residing on the old homestead in Union Township; James, also a resident of the home place; Martha, who married James n. Jerome and lives in Oklahoma Territory; Sarah, who die din her girlhood; John who makes his home in Missouri; Louisa, Mrs. Henry Wimmer, residing on a portion of the homestead and Franklin, better known as Doc, also a resident of Union Township. we are unable to give an extended history of the Crooks family from the limited facts furnished; suffice to say that their name is well known in the annals of our county; their fidelity to duty, courage, honesty and patriotism is universally admitted, and as pioneers they have contributed to the development of this part of Indiana. Our subject is the eldest of 8 children: Rosa B; Robert T; John; Margaret; Alonzo; Clara; Lucy and Claude, all living. The mother of these children passed away February 14, 1890, mourned not only by her immediate relatives but by all her associated and friends. Charles Crooks received a fair education in the common schools of his locality and in 1884 entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute; where he remained for two years. For a time after completing his education, he was unable to find a position in the mercantile business for which he had a liking and for a short time he worked at the carpenter's trade with an uncle. However, he had no intention of following that trade permanently but he was of an active, enterprising disposition and preferred any kind of work to idleness. For six months Mr. Crooks worked on the farm belonging to an Uncle, I. J. Glass in Christian County, Illinois, after which he returned to Bridgeton. Being a good musician, he joined the Bridgeton band and played with it during the campaign of 1888. Through the influence of his uncle Glass, he secured a position as clerk in a store operated by J. B. Fenner in Sharpsburg, Illinois and was soon promoted to the position of bookkeeper in the house, having entire charge of this branch of the business. There he remained for more than 3 years when in June 1891, through the recommendation and retail mercantile establishment of Osborn, Sharp & Company of Montrose, Colorado where he remained for some time. Upon leaving their employ he received a very high recommendation as a faithful and capable business man. Returning to his native city, Mr. Crooks found employment in the store of Pence & Holmes. In June 1892, having saved from his salary sufficient to warrant him in embarking in business, he formed a partnership with E H Cahill and opened a mercantile establishment. Their push and enterprise, coupled with square dealings and courteous manners, have aided them in building up an extensive and profitable business. The firm has gained success from its own capital for while the partners could have commanded money and backing from others, they have steadily refused to do so, determined to make their fortune by diligent work. Mr. Crooks socially, is prominent in the Mason fraternity with which he united in the winter of 1892 and is an office holder of the Bridgeton Lodge. In his political affiliations, he believes that the platform of the Republic party will best sub serve the interests of the people and accordingly gives his ballot and influence in support of its candidates and principles. - Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, Page 518

CROOKS, Gideon, was born March 7, 1813 and was the youngest son of Samuel & Margaret (RUSSEL) Crooks. His father was born November 8, 1775 and his mother August 19, 1785. Gideon was born in Kentucky, and came with his parents from Kentucky, first to Ohio , then, when he was 10 to Raccoon Township, Parke County Indiana and settled on Section 23. While a youth Gideon kept a canoe and busied himself in rowing people across the Big Raccoon Creek, for which he received small sums. At the age of 22 he was married to Hannah CODDINGTON of Montgomery County, Ohio . Immediately after marriage, they settled on the place now occupied by Mrs. Crooks, widow of the deceased in Section9. Mr. Crooks farmed up to his death which occurred on May 6, 1868. Mr. Crooks was a democrat, but one of extreme northern views. He cast his ballot each time for Lincoln, and sent two sons, James M. and Samuel H to fight on southern soil. Both sons returned to brighten his life for a short period. They are now in Missouri. Mr. Crooks received the commission of Capt. of the state militia May 3, 1848 signed by James Whitcomb, governor and John H. Thompson, sec. of state. Both he and his wife joined the Baptist church. They had 9 children: Margaret, William, James M, Samuel H, Lucinda, Mary E, George M, Francis M and Sarah E; of these, William, George M and Sarah E. are dead. The family are considerably scattered, but Mrs. Crooks clings to the home for which she and her husband toiled. Beadle, J. H. 1880 History of Parke County, Indiana (from Historic notes on the Wabash Valley and History of Vigo & Parke County) Chicago: H. H. Hill & N. Iddings, Publishers

Gideon CROOKS was born March 7, 1813 and settled with his father's family in Raccoon Township in 1823. While a youth he kept a canoe and rowed people across Big Raccoon for a small sum. He was drowned while crossing the same stream below the dam at Bridgeton in 1868. Mr. Crooks was a farmer and his daughter, Mary, widow of the late Captain Joshua I. Hayes resides on part of the old homestead. - Historical Sketch of Parke County, Indiana, 1816-1916, Page 119

CROOKS, John L., farmer, Bridgeton, was born April 27, 1854 in Adams Township, Parke County, and is the son of Thomas J. and Nancy K. (HALL) Crooks. John L. lived in Adams Township until 14 years old, then went to Keokuk, Iowa lived there 8 years and returned to Parke County He was married December5, 1875 to Mary CRABB, daughter of James and Barbara (WEBSTER) Crabborn She was born May 16, 1860 has had a common school education and is a member of the Methodist Church. They have one child, Lanorah Myrtle, born January 12, 1877. Mr. Crooks has traveled through parts of Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri; has been an Odd Fellow 6 years, and in politics is a democrat. He is a hardworking and industrious young farmer, and lives on the farm two miles south of Bridgeton. Beadle, J. H. 1880 History of Parke County, Indiana (from Historic notes on the Wabash Valley and History of Vigo & Parke County) Chicago: H. H. Hill & N. Iddings, Publishers



CROOKS, James, M.D., one of the leading physicians of this county, was born on a farm in Butler County, Ohio , on the 26th day of October, 1825. His father, who was also a physician, removed to Parke County when James was one year old. They settled on a farm near Bridgeton, where his father practiced his profession and farmed. Here they lived five years, when they went successively to Waynetown, Michigan City, and Lake County, living from two to three years in each place and finally, in 1838, returned to their original Indiana home, near Bridgeton. James was now thirteen years old, and having determined to adopt the practice of medicine as his profession, he began preparing himself. He received a good common school education and studied medicine with his father. In 1847, he began practicing. In 1855, he attended his first course of lectures at Ohio Eclectic Institute, and in 1856 graduated from the Ohio Eclectic College of Medicine. In that year he moved into the town of Bridgeton where he has since resided and practiced his profession. Dr. Crooks, by his skill and close attention to patients, has acquired a large and lucrative practice, and, in fact, has been so successful that no other physician has been able to compete with him. Dr. Crooks is respected not alone for attainments in his profession, but for his sterling integrity and his eminent social qualities. He is a very prominent Mason, having been master of the lodge to which he belongs for the past twenty years. In politics, Dr. Crooks has always been a Democrat, but has been too busily engaged otherwise to do much in politics. He was married in 1851 to Sarah J. Ward, of this county, by whom he has nine children. (Combined 1874 Atlas - 1908 Atlas - Isaac Strouse Centennial Memorial & Name Index of Parke County, Indiana) -CROOKS, James, A.M., physician, surgeon & druggist, Bridgeton, was born in Butler County, Ohio October 26, 1825. The progenitors of the Crooks family were genuine Scotch, and their earliest settlement was at Paisley, about 6 mi. from old Glasgow. The Crooks family were somewhat famous in the Presbyterian Church for their long, unbroken chain of ruling elders in that church. There is a memorial in that locality, Scotland, in the shape of a castle, called Crookston Castle. The late Ramsey Crooks of New York was of this line, and was for many years a distinguished member of the northwestern fur company of which John Jacob Astor was the great head. James W. Crooks, of Springfield, Massachusetts says that the immediate ancestors of the crooks family emigrated from Scotland to America about the year 1720, in company with many others and settled in the Old Bay State and New Hampshire. They stopped for awhile in Hephirton, about 30 miles from Boston, but soon went farther west and made a permanent settlement at a place they called Glasgow, on account of their good old Scotch predilections. This town was in the southwest part of Hampden County and was afterward called Ploneford. The original settlers of Ploneford emigrated to Western Pennsylvania, Maryland and other Western states. The names of John, James, William, Samuel and David have been very common in all the family. James Crooks, the great grandfather of Dr. Crooks, settled in Monongahela County Pennsylvania. He had 4 sons: Thomas, Richard, James and William, This third son, James, was the grandfather of Dr Crooks and at an early day emigrated from Pa. down the Ohio River as far as where the city of Cincinnati now stands. On their way down the river they were often shot at by the Indians who infested both sides of the river at that time. He there cut the first stick of timber used in the building of their fort and assisted in building a block house which the old citizens of Cincinnati say was built on the corner of Third and Broadway Sts. He remained here 3 years and then moved on down the river to Ohio Falls and stayed there three years and built another block house. From that place he moved somewhere into the interior of Kentucky, to a place called Bullet Lick and built another stockade. At this place they were greatly annoyed by the Indians. When they went out to work they had to strap their rifles on their backs and be on the continual lookout for the savage tomahawk and scalping knife. Some of his comrades were killed at different times while working in the fields. He remained here 3 years, and then, as the land in Ohio was coming into market, he concluded to return to that state. He sold his land and received continental money for the first payment, which immediately lost its value. In the middle of winter he, with others, started back to Ohio . They came to the Ohio River opposite Cincinnati, and it being frozen over they tore up a woolen vest and tied it around the horses' hoofs to keep them from slipping and crossed the ice. He settled in Butler County, Ohio on Cotton Run about 8 miles northwest of Hamilton. At this place Dr. Crook's father, William B. Crooks and his uncle, Thomas Crooks of Adams Township were born. He then moved to Franklin County, and his house stood within a few feet of the Ohio line. At this place Jacob Crooks and Hamilton Crooks were b and the father of the doctor was married to Martha C. JOHNSTON. The father of the latter was in the Revolutionary War. The father of the doctor was born in 1803. He was a successful physician, was justice of the peace, associate judge in Lake County, a friend to the poor, in politics a democrat and died in 1856 in Parke County The doctor's mother was born in Ohio in 1804 and died Parke County August 22, 1865. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, came with his parents to this county in 1826. They lived here 5 years, then lived successively in Waynetown, Michigan City, Lake County and returned to Bridgeton in 1838. The doctor's literary education obtained in school was limited, but by extensive reading, wide observation and travel, he has become a man of considerable literary attainments and culture. He read medicine with his father, and began practicing in 1847. He afterward attended lectures in the Ohio Eclectic College of Medicine, graduating from that institution in 1856. He obtained his education by his own exertions, and is now worth about $25,000 in land and other property. He has met with several severe losses and reverses. In 1865 he embarked in the dry goods business in Brazil, but by the recklessness of his partner, and the panic of 1873, he lost $16,000 interest and all amounting to about $20,000. March 13, 1868 his store building, worth about $1,200 was burned and July 6 his store with its contents and other buildings were burned. By this fire he lost about $4,000. The doctor was married January 13, 1850, to Sarah J. WARD, daughter of James Ward. She was born January 22, 1831 in Putnam County They have had 9 children: Lucinda A born January 7, 1851; Franklin P June 2, 1852 died February 26, 1853; Prudence J December 18, 1853; Charles W, August 4, 1855 died July 7 1856; James H March 9, 1858 died September 18, 1859; Clara MT July 19, 1861; George BM October 16, 1862; Alonzo July 14, 1864 died August 30, 1865; Robert M April 12, 1868. Since 1873 the Dr. has been in the drug business in connection with his practice. In the winter of 1879 he made a trip to Ark where he collected many geological specimens. These, with what he has obtained from other sources, make a valuable collection in which he takes great interest. Dr. Crooks is one of the prominent Masons of the state of Indiana. He joined that order in 1854 and has held all the offices in the lodge to which he belongs, being master for about 17 years and now holds that position. He has been rep. to the Grand Lodge at Indianapolis nearly every year and as a member of that body has served on some important committees. He was appointed grand lecturer for the state of Indiana and served one year. He has taken the chapter degrees in the Terre Haute Chapter and the commander degrees in the T H Commander No 16. He has been called to different parts of the county to assist in the burial of Masons and has buried in all 19. In politics the doctor is a Democrat, but cares more for business than for politics. He was a very intimate friend of Stephen A. Douglas. Dr. Crooks is not a member of any church, but he believes in the common brotherhood of mankind and in practicing the broad principles of humanity and Christianity as found in the golden rule. The Dr. has been a very successful practitioner and is a valuable and influential member of society. Beadle, J. H. 1880 History of Parke County, Indiana (from Historic notes on the Wabash Valley and History of Vigo & Parke County) Chicago: H. H. Hill & N. Iddings, Publishers

James CROOKS, A.M, MD, one of Parke County's most prominent physicians, as well as one of its most esteemed and wealthy citizens, has spent his whole life from early childhood in the locality where he now resides. He was born in Butler County, Ohio on the Indiana line, October 26, 1825. In order to give the readers of this volume a better idea of the man of whom we write, it will be necessary to go back into the remote past and see where the Crooks family came and what royal blood flows in the veins of the subject of this sketch. We find that the progenitors of the Crooks family were genuine Scotchmen, but it has been impossible for us to trace their history through all the centuries that have passed, for with the past are buried many interesting matters connected with this prominent family, but it is our sin to give here some reliable information, on which future generations may base a more complete history of the family. While many things may be lost from our view that would interest the present and future generations, our subject will be to give only such facts in this sketch as are strictly reliable and on which the future writer can base his history without the extended research that has been necessary in this article. The earliest settlement that we have been able to trace of this family was at Paisley, a small village some six miles from old Glasgow. In those early days the members of the family were noted for their piety and were well known in the Presbyterian Church, being Ruling Elders in that denomination. W e also find that there is in that locality a memorial to the name of Crooks in the shape of a castle called Crookston Castle. Leaving the family in Scotland, let us see what we can learn of them in this country. The immediate ancestors of our subject came to America about 1720, in company with many others and settled in the New England states, principally in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For a short time they sojourned in Hephirton, about 30 miles from Boston but soon went father west in the state and made a permanent settlement in Hamden County, calling the place where they located Scotland, on account of their good old scotch predilections. This town was in later years named Ploneford. The late Ramsey Crooks of New York was of this line and was for many years a distinguished member of the Northwestern Fur Company of which John Jacob Astor was the great head. The names, James, John, William, Samuel and David have ever been prominent in the Crooks family. The original settlers of Scotland (or Ploneford) migrated to western Pa, Maryland and other western states but it would be too great an undertaking to attempt to trace the various branches of this family; suffice to say that we give in this article the immediate progenitors of our subject. His great grandfather, whose name was also James, settle din Monongahela County, Pennsylvania. He had 4 sons: Thomas, Richard, James and William. The third son, James the grandfather of our subject, at an early day removed from PA down the Ohio River as far as where this city of Cincinnati now stands. On their way down the river they were often shot at by the Indians, who infested both sides of the river. After landing, James Crooks cut the first stick of timber used in the building of the fort and assisted in building a block house, which the old settlers of Cincinnati say was built on what is now the corner of 3rd Street and Broadway. He removed there 3 years and then moved on down the river to Ohio Falls, where he resided for about the same length of time. There he also built a block house and from there went to Kentucky, and helped to erect a stockade at a place called Bullet Lick. The settlers were greatly annoyed by the Indians and when they went into the field to work it was with their rifles strapped on their backs. While many of the pioneers were killed by savages, we have no information to lead us to think that any of the Crooks family lost their lives this way. The residence of Grandfather Crooks and his family in Kentucky was not altogether satisfactory, and after fighting the battle of life and the Indians for 3 years, they returned to Ohio. Prior to removing they sold their Kentucky property, taking continental money for the first payment. This money immediately lost its value and thus Mr. Crooks was deprived of his hard-earned property. He and others started back to the Buckeye State by team but when they came to the river opposite Cincinnati, they found it frozen and the ice so glassy their horses could not stand. They therefore tore up a woolen vest, which they tied around the horses' hoofs to keep them from slipping and in that way crossed the river safely. The next settlement was made on what is known as Cotton Run in Butler Co, about 8 miles NW of Hamilton, Ohio. At the last named place, William B. Crooks, father of the subject was born in 1803. A short time afterward the family moved to Franklin Co, Indiana where they resided in a house which stood within a few feet of the Ohio state line. Here William B. married Martha C. Johnson who was born in Ohio in 1804 and was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. In 1826, when our subject was a child of but one year, his parents came to Parke Co. and located at Bridgeton where the father practiced the medical profession for some 5 years. For the following six or seven years William Crooks lived successively in Waynetown; Michigan City and Lake County and in 1838 returned to Bridgeton where he continued to practice up to the time of his death in 1856. When he passed to that bourne whence no traveler returns, Bridgeton and Parke County lost one of its most influential citizens. He was a man of powerful will and any conclusion he had reached as being right, now power on earth could change. In politics he was a life-long Democrat, and while residing in Lake County, he served as Justice of the peace and Associate Judge. In him the less fortunate always found a friend, and no poor hand was ever stretched out to him that went away empty. His noble wife survived him several years and died n Parke Co August 22, 1865. Having given an outline of the ancestry of Dr. Crooks, it is but simple justice that prompts us to give to him whose whole life has been spent among the people whop rize him so highly a somewhat more extended sketch than is given to the generations that have gone before him. In some respects he might be considered a unique character. His peculiar traits cause him to make success out of what a less determined man would abandon as a complete failure. His literary education, which is far superior to that of many men who had far greater advantages for obtaining it than he, was not received within the walls of any of our great colleges; in fact, so far as schools were concerned, it was gained in the primitive schools of the pioneer days in Indiana, but he has ever been a thorough and constant student of that great school from which no man graduates until the battles of life have been fought. Dr. Crooks not only reads, but he retains what he read. An extended traveler and close observer, he has in this way stored up a knowledge of men and events that might well be envied by many a so-called classical scholar. His medical education was commenced under his father's instructions and in 1846 he commenced to practice with him. In 1856, he attended lectures in the Ohio Eclectic College of Medicine and was graduated form that institution 3 years later. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession at Bridgeton, although he has also been engaged in other business enterprises. In 1865, in company with others, Dr. Crooks embarked in the dry goods business at Brazil, Indiana but by the recklessness of his partner and the panic of 1873 he lost $20,000. He was for a long time in the drug business at Bridgeton. In March of 1868 his store building was burned, causing a loss of $1,200. The following July his store and contents were burned, causing a loss of $4,000. Aside from this, he has paid more than $5,000 in security debts. Thus it can be seen that he has lost a fortune. He was on the verge of financial ruin, and a less determined man would have gone down in a financial crash, but not so with the Dr, his tenacity asserted itself and the tide turned and he is today counted as one of the wealthiest men of Parke co. A few years ago the Dr. became much interested in the study of geology, and his knowledge of this subject is broad and far reaching. He has written and lectured on it and has several fine paintings his own work which he has produced with which to illustrate his lectures. He has also a very fine collection of geological specimens collected in his trips to Ark and the mountains, as well as many secure din his own locality or taken from the mines in Colorado, in which he owns an interest. Dr. Crooks joined the Masonic Order in 1854, and has held all the prominent offices in Bridgeton Lodge having been its master for nearly a quarter of a century and serving as a delegate to the Grand Lodge and member of important committees. He is a Royal Arch Mason and belongs to the knights Templar and served for one year as Grand Lecturer for the state of Indiana. Bob Morris, the poet, author and great Masonic worker, was his lifelong friend and often visited him at Bridgeton. The Dr. frequently recites in public the poems of this noted Mason, a volume of which was presented to him by Morris on his last visit to Bridgeton prior to his death. In politics the Dr. is a Democrat and was an intimate friend of Stephen A. Douglas. January 13, 1850, Dr. Crooks married Sarah J. Ward who was born in Putnam County, Indiana January 22, 1831 and died December 13, 1891. Their children were 9 in number: Lucinda A, born January 7, 1851 married George f. Smock and resides in Terre Haute. Franklin P, whose birth occurred June 2, 1852 died February 16, 1853. Prudence J. was born December 18, 1858 and married LJ Tennant of Brazil; Charles W was born August 4, 1856 and died July 7, 1856. James H, who was born March 9, 1858 passed from earth September 18, 1859. Clar MT born July 19, 1861 married Ira J. Harshbarger, a prominent miller of Milton, W Va. George BM who was born October 16, 1862, married Ellen Payne and they have two children. He is the proprietor of the Bridgeton Drug Store which was established by his father. He is also a prominent Mason and the present Master of Bridgeton Lodge. Alonzo, who was born July 14, 1864 died August 30, 1865. Robert M, born April 12, 1868 is a resident of Bridgeton. The second marriage of Dr. Brooks occurred March 15, 1893, and united him with Miss Delila Frances, daughter of the late Robert Martin and a native of Parke Co. In his pleasant home and surrounded by all the comforts of peace and plenty, he is spending the evening of his days and enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. The Dr. and two others have formed a scientific and historical society of Parke Co. Our subject is president of the society at present. - Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, Page 351

found this poem. Probably not relevant but interesting. lol
I love history and now all of a sudden I feel hooked on this family and town.

The following paragraph appeared in the Rockville Republican on December 10th, 1883

Looking North Down Main Street.Oh, the hog, the beautiful hog,
Curling his tail as he watches the dog;
Defying the law for his bread and meat,
Roaming at large over every street;
Hunting, grunting, nosing around,
Till the open gate is sure to be found,
With its hinges broken and ruined quite,
By the lovers who hung there last night.
It won't stay shut, it won't hang level,
It tempts the hog and he raises the--very
mischief with flower beds and gardens,
And will turn away undaunted
From the door of Dr. Crooks 'kitchen.
Such was life in Bridgeton!