Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

OSHUA M. CROGHAN, one of the representative farmer citizens of Wright Township, is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 12, 1846, a son of James Croghan, also a native of Ohio. The Croghans are of Irish descent. The mother of our subject was nee Catherine Munson. She was born in Germany, a daughter of Thomas Munson. Her education was obtained in her native land, and she came to the United States at the age of fourteen. She was a woman of much intelligence and refinement, and after coming to this country was engaged in teaching the German language in the schools. Her husband, James Croghan, was also a successful teacher for many years. In 1853 they moved to Rochester, Cedar County, Iowa, becoming early pioneers of that county. Her death occurred that same year. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Croghan spent the residue of his life in Cedar County, and died September 18, 1870, in his seventieth year. He was a mason by trade, but for many years had followed the profession of teaching. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of the Gray beard Regiment of Iowa, and served in his regiment two years and seven months as Second Lieutenant. While in Ohio he was a member of the "Hardsbell" Baptist Church, but after coming to Iowa he united with the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Croghan were the parents of fourteen children. Benjamin, their first born, is a resident of Allen County, Kansas.

Joshua was reared in Cedar County, Iowa, on a farm, and when he grew up learned the harness-maker's trade at Wilton Junction, Muscatine County, same State. During the great Rebellion he enlisted, in 1864, in Company B, Second Iowa Infantry. The regiment was on its noted march to the sea under General Sherman. Mr. Croghan joined them at Atlanta, Georgia, and from there marched with them to Savannah, then up through the Carolinas and to Richmond. After the surrender of General Lee's army they marched on to Washington, and were present at the grand review. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and at Davenport, Iowa, received his final discharge and was paid off.

The war over, Mr. Croghan returned to Cedar County, Iowa, where he resided six years. He then removed to Clinton County, same State, and after remaining three years returned to Cedar County. Five years later, in 1879, he came to Pottawattamie County. In 1880 he purchased forty acres of wild land, which he has since improved and brought under a high state of cultivation. He has a comfortable home, a good barn, modern wind pump, a grove and orchard of four acres, and other substantial improvements. Everything, about the Croghan farm shows thrift and enterprise. At present Mr. Croghan is cultivating 240 acres of land, and is feeding twenty-eighty head of cattle and a large number of hogs.

February 25, 1868, and Clinton County, Iowa, are the date and place of Mr. Croghan's marriage to Miss Mary Jane Dale, a, native of Crawford County, Ohio, daughter of Samuel and Mary Dale. Her father died in 1864, and her mother is a resident of Muscatine, Iowa, where she has three sons. Mr. Croghan and his wife have seven children: Mary C., the oldest, died in 1870; James F., Phillip, Sina A., Charles, Colbert and Sherwood M. Mr. Croghan is a charter member of Washington Post, G. A. R., No. 9. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church.

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This page last updated: Friday, 01-Jan-1999 09:00:22 MST.