My Genealogy Hound

CRESS, HENRY, farmer, Sec. 4, P.O. Greenfield, is a son of John and Nancy Cress, her maiden name was Broadmarkle. Both of John’s parents were in the Hessian army, and fought against the Colonists; the British had induced them to believe that the Americans “were a set of cannibals,” but after they saw for themselves and understood the situation, that Washington was fighting for liberty after the battle of Preston, N. J., they abandoned the Hessians and joined his standard. Henry, the subject of these lines, was born in Alleghany County, Md., Feb. 18, 1820. His parents dying when he was young, he was placed under the fostering care of his grandmother. At the age of 13, went to learn the blacksmith’s trade. In 1842 came West, first stopping at White Hall, remained there until 1846, when he came to Greenfield, which was then in its infancy; worked for Euen Johnson, staid with him until he built the shop now run by J. Broadmarkle, and set up business for himself, and continued at it for fifteen years; he then abandoned the anvil and forge and moved to the east side of town and began farming, and has since remained. Has 353 acres of land and 160 in Montgomery County. Dec, 30, 1851, was united in marriage to Nancy E. Benear, daughter of John S. Benear, she was born in Ohio, Dec. 16, 1827. Six children have crowned this union, but four now living: William, born Aug. 16, 1855; Joseph, born March 14, 1848; Everett, born Sept. 4, 1860; Norvel, born Oct. 25, 1867. Mr. Cress is a self-made man; been a hard worker and good manager; cast his first vote for James K. Polk; was always a Democrat until the war, since been Republican; is a member of the I. O. O. F., Greenfield Lodge, No. 195.