Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

OUt his lifetime He was a fanner and
owned many acres of land, lie was the
father of Matthias, of whom further
(111) Matthias Croft. SOH of John Croft,
was horn in [809 in Putnam Valley, Putnam
county, New York. He inherited
lands from hi- father, and the will to do
from his grandfather, and with this heri-
tage he became one of the most succe
fill farmers of the valley He cultivated
many acre- and was prosperous. Mr.
Croft was keenly interested in civic mat-
ters and was a member of the Whig party,
later hecoming a Repuhlican at the time
of the organization of that party. He
was a regular attendant of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and for over half a
ENCYCU IPEDIA OF BK >GRAPHY
village where he has heen resident almost
continuously since, and where lie has been
the means of introducing many helpful
and beneficial measures to the life of the
community. Three years later he hecame
a minister of the Congregational church.
being ordained at Avon, Connecticut, and
his successive pastorates were at Torring-
ton, Watertown, Connecticut, and Terre
Haute, Indiana. In the latter place his
health, which had heen failing, obliged
him to discontinue his lahors, temporarily
at least, and resigning his pastorate Mr.
Croft returned to Simsbury. He did not
immediately take up any special lahors.
hut rested from the arduous cares of a
century he held an office in the church. pastorate in an effort to regain his health.
He married Maria Chapman, a native of A man of his temperament could not long
Putnam county, who died in 1883. After remain idle, however, and soon he hegan
her decease Mr. Croft retired from active to receive calls to preach in other pul-
cares and settled in Peekskill, New York, pit-. Mr. Croft has never since occupied
where he died in 1899. Mr. and Mrs. a regular pastorate, hut he has been most
Croft were the parents of the following active in many ways in performing many
children: 1. Mary Jane, married Reuben acts of goodness. A few years ago he es-
Smith. who is now deceased. 2. Harriet,
wife of Theodore Travis. 3. William 11.
4. Charles P.. of whom further. 5. Han-
nah, wife of Robert Strong. 6. Silas C.
7. Francis D.
(IY) Charles Pitnam Croft, son of
tahlished in Simsbury, a "Community
House." This house is equipped with
reading rooms, containing books and
other literature which interests the young
mind : it has rest room-, where members
may sit and entertain themselves and
Matthias and Maria (Chapman) Croft, their friends. Music is provided by the
was born in Putnam county. New York, guests, and altogether a general feeling of
where his forefathers had long dwelt, good fellowship pervades, which is the
He was a student at the Peekskill Mili- fundamental reason of the "house." It
tary Academy after completing his pub- fills a long felt need of some place for
lie school course. He next attended the the young people to gather and enjoy
Charlotteville Seminary at Charlotteville, themselves, and it remained for a man
Xew York, and in 1869 was graduated such as Mr. Croft to see and supply this
from the Wesleyan University of Middle- need. Mr. Croft is naturally possessed
town, Connecticut. In [869, which was of fine oratorical ability, and this trait
also his year ^i graduation, Rev. Mr. combined with his tine literary taste
Croft was called to the Methodist F.pis- makes him in much demand as a pulpit
copal church at Simsbury, Connecticut, speaker. He is a true friend, especially to
This was his tirst acquaintance with the the young man and young woman, and
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