Submitted by Gloria Brinkmeier, gr-gr-granddaughter.
Samuel Criswell was born in Sherrard, Marshall County, West Virginia on September 28, 1844, according to the Belmont County Death Records, Vol. II, 1881-1893, page 38. It lists Samuel dying of Brights Disease at the age of 48 years, 6 months, 2 days on March 30, 1892 in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He was the son of Lloyd Criswell and Emma Jane Marple Criswell.
During the Civil War, Samuel served with Company "B" of the 126th Ohio Infantry Volunteers. On page 456 in the Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1866, Vol. VIII, Samuel is listed as entering the service as a private on August 8, 1862 at the age of 19; he mustered out three years later in Washington, DC as a full corporal on June 25, 1865.
Samuel Criswell and Emma Jane Marple were married on October 25, 1866 by Isaac Mayes, J.P. in West Alexander, Pennsylvania, per Marriage Records of Squires Isaac and Joseph F. Mayes, page 50.
Samuel and Emma Jane had two sons: Robert Ellsworth, born July 8, 1867; married Henrietta Venora Smith; died December 29, 1935. Hillas Webster, born October 10, 1869; married Florence Fryman; died 1944.
1870 Census, Union District, Marshall County, West Virginia
#32/32
Samuel Criswell, 26, farmer laborer, b WV
Emma, 23, b WV
Richard E., 3, b WV
Webster H., 1, b WV1880 Census, District 23, Martins Ferry, Belmont County, Ohio
#131/153
Samuel Criswell, 35, Works in rolling mill, b WV -- --
Emma, 33, k. house, b WV WV NJ
Elsworth, 12, at school, b WV WV WV
Webster, 11, at school, b WV WV WV
The Belmont County Ohio Civil War Soldiers of the 1890 U.S. Census, page 65, shows Samuel incurred disabilities: "eye and feet frozen, severe, unsuited for physical labor."
Samuel and his wife were willed property, Lot #7, in Marshall County, West Virginia, through the estate of his father, Lloyd Criswell.
Samuel's obituary appeared in the Evening Times, Vol. II, No. 26, Martins Ferry, Ohio, Thursday, March 31, 1892:
DEATH OF SAMUEL CRISWELL -- Mr. Samuel Criswell died at his home, corner of 5th and Washington Streets last night about eight o’clock in the forty eighth year of his age. He has resided here fourteen years and came from West Virginia. He has not been in good health for some time, and for the past year has been able to do little or nothing, but when in better health worked in the rolling mills. While his death was looked for almost any time, it caused surprise to many as he was able to be about the room until yesterday. He leaves a wife and two married sons. The funeral services will be held at the house tomorrow afternoon at one o’clock. Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, back of Wheeling.
Samuel Criswell applied for a government pension on July 22, 1891. His certificate is #594604. Following his death, Emma Criswell applied for a widow's pension on May 5, 1892. Her certificate was #359371.
Samuel is listed in Audra Rickey Wayne's 1991 book, Burial Records United States Veterans of the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia - Counties of Brooke, Hancock, Marshall and Ohio, Vol. I, page 39: Criswell, Samuel Co. B 12th (should be 126th) Ohio Inf., Mt. Olivet.
Samuel’s great, great grandfather, Richard Criswell, served in the Revolutionary War under Capt. Owens' Company in Colonel Lux’s Regiment of the Baltimore County Militia.