Polk Co. IAGenWeb

CROCKER, GEN. M. M. — Deceased, was born in Johnson county, Indiana, in 1830. In 1844 he removed, with his father, to Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, and shortly after to Keokuk county, where a claim was taken and improved in the most beautiful part of the county, about two miles northwest of Lancaster. In 1846 young Crocker was called from the plow to accept a situation tendered him by Congressman Leffer, to the United States military academy at West Point. At the expiration of two years he was called back to the farm by the death of his father. In 1850 he entered upon the study of law, and the following year was admitted to practice and opened an office at Lancaster. Here he followed the practice of law until 1854, when he removed to Des Moines, and soon became recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the State. Upon the declaration, of war in 1861 he immediately responded to the call for volunteers, and raised the first company organized in Central Iowa. This company was incorporated in the Second Iowa infantry, of which Mr. Crocker first became major. Shortly after he was promoted to the office of lieutenant-colonel and given command of the Thirteenth infantry. At the battle of Shiloh he commanded a brigade, the commander having been wounded early in the engagement. He afterward was promoted to this rank of brigadier-general, which rank he held at the time of his death. His health failing toward the close of the war, he was sent to New Mexico. His health improving while there, he was, at his own request, transferred, and again became connected with the Army of the Cumberland. In August, 1865, he started for Washington, his health again having failed. Here he rapidly grew worse, and on the 26th of that month died.