California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 BENJAMIN HAMILTON CROW. Another pioneer resident of Stanislaus county may be found in the person of Benjamin H. Crow, an octogenarian, who for more than half a cen- tury has been identified with the agricultural interests of California. It was in Mercer county, Ky., that Mr. Crow was born February 27, 1824. His father, Walter Crow, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, left his native state, Kentucky, in 1828, and settled in Pike county, Mo., near Bowling Green. He followed farming in that locality until 1849, when, like thousands of others, he swelled the tide of immigration toward the Pacific coast, crossing the plains with ox-teams. He and his two companions were accompanied by two negroes, named Marion and Sam. Arriving in California Mr. Crow spent some time in the mines at Hangtown, and subse- quently returned to Missouri by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Accompanied by four of his sons, William H., James A., Benjamin H. and Alfred M., Mr. Crow again crossed the plains in 1850, driving a herd of eight hundred cattle. At Junction City, in Trinity county, on the Feather river, Mr. Crow became seriously ill with typhoid fever and died. The sons took the cattle to the San Joaquin valley, and in Stanislaus county they took a squatter's claim to one hundred and sixty acres of government land. They afterward pur- chased a land grant in the same county and became prominent citizens. The mother, who was known in maidenhood as Susan Pritchett, was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Abraham Pritchett, a native of Virginia, and a pioneer of Kentucky. Mrs. Susan Crow died in Pike county, Mo., in 1833, when about thirty-five years of age. She became the mother of nine children, eight sons and one daughter, as follows : Isaac, William H., James A., Benjamin H., John Brad- ford, Alfred McDowell, Lewis, Pike and Susan. The latter became the wife of Capt. James W. Smith, and with her family resides in Stockton, Cal. All of the sons eventually came to California. Benjamin H. Crow was the recipient of only a limited education in his youth and this was gleaned from the common schools of Pike county, Mo., but nevertheless the results accom- plished in his life challenge the admiration of all. After the death of his father, in 1850, al- though still retaining his interest in the cattle business in the San Joaquin valley, he followed mining during the years 1851, '52 and '53. In 1854 he located in Stanislaus county on Ores- timba creek, among the foothills, and there followed ranching until 1869, in which year he removed to his present home, three miles east of Crow's Landing. At that day Crow's Land- ing was a place of considerable importance, as all shipping was done by boat, and the landing and postoffice were located near Mr. Crow's ranch. It was in 1870 that he built the home now occupied by himself and wife. His possessions aggregate nearly four thousand acres of land, of which about one thousand acres are under the West Side ditch. In addition to carry- ing on general farming, he has paid considerable attention to the raising of cattle, mules and sheep. Owing to advanced years Mr. Crow has rented his land for a number of years, which insures him a comfortable income. By his marriage October 10, 185S, Mr. Crow was united with Miss Emma Patchett, who was born in Chester county, Pa., a daughter of John and Esther (Passmore) Patchett. John Patchett was a native of Lincolnshire, England, and in an early day immigrated to the United States. His marriage occurred in Pennsylvania, in which state he conducted a brewery for a number of years. Going to Iowa in 1836, he resided in Van Buren county on the Des Moines river, for some time. In 1850 he came to California, locating in Napa valley, near Napa, in which vicinity he acquired a large amount of land. He died in 1875, when eighty years of age, surviving his wife a quarter of a century, her death occurring in November, 1850, soon after their arrival in Eldorado county. She was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Crow have no children. Politically Mr. Crow supports the Democratic party. Both are esteemed residents of the community in which they have made their home for so many years, and in comfort and plenty, the result of economy and good business ability, they are passing their declining years. Surrounded by hosts of friends, they are familiarly known as Uncle Ben and Aunt Emma, and by all who share their acquaint- ance are loved and revered. The story of their lives, with its lessons of honesty, frugality and high principles, will be read with interest by coming generations.