My Genealogy Hound

Thomas D. Criner, one of the oldest settlers in Marion Township, was born May 7, 1819, in Madison County, Ala., a son of Joseph and Ellina (Ingram) Criner, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. Joseph Criner was born in 177—, a son of a Revolutionary soldier, of German descent. Joseph Criner was an old Alabama planter, owning some 500 acres of land, and about fifteen slaves. He died in Alabama about 1842. He was married to the mother of our subject in 18—; she was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., of Irish descent. She died the same year as her husband. They were the parents of eleven children, only two of whom are now living, viz.: The subject of this sketch, and Sarah (now Mrs. Gurley, widow of William Gurley, of Madison County, Ala.). Mr. Criner commenced farming for himself on part of the old homestead before he was twenty-one years of age. In 1842 he left Alabama and came to this State, locating in this county (then a part of Union County), where he entered a tract of land, and later added to it until he owned 1,100 acres. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1863, in Crawford’s regiment of mounted infantry, in which he served until the close of the war, serving as sergeant of his company, and engaged in the battles of Mark’s Mills, Poison Springs, Jenkins’ Ferry, Mount Elbe and the battles fought during Price’s raid through Missouri, in which he took an active part. He reached home in May, 1865. Mr. Criner was married in 1839 to Miss Sarah Walker, a native of Alabama, born in Madison County, in 1820, a daughter of William and Patsy (Jones) Walker. Mrs. Criner died in 1863. She was the mother of ten children, six of whom are still living, viz.: Martha J. (unmarried and living at home), Joseph W. (a farmer of this township, and also tax assessor and owner of 300 acres of land), Anna Eliza (now Mrs. Smith, of Smackover Township), Idella (now Mrs. Jordan, of Clay County, Tex.), Sally (now Mrs. Wright, of this township), and George T. (a farmer of this township). Mr. Criner is the owner of 600 acres of land, with about 100 acres under cultivation; principal crops, cotton and corn. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the County Wheel. He is Democratic in his political views, and is highly respected by all who know him.