Resided in an old home on Salt Creek north of Holmesville and engaged in farming and raising livestock. In national affairs he was very zealous, taking an active interest in operating the Underground Railroad that ran through several routes in Holmes County north to Canada. One of the stations of this Underground Railroad is visible to this day near Salt Creek on State Route 83. It was a rocky cavern concealed by brush that often sheltered twelve to fifteen Negroes during daylight, having been brought there by some friendly person the night before. Mr. Croco would feed and care for them through the day and then drive them north at night to the next station. The zeal of Mr. Croco and his brother John caused them to have numerous enemies. They were even shot at and John was assaulted by a mob that captured him and crushed his skull. Surgeons covered his brain with a gold plate and gave him little chance of survival. But his healthy constitution and physique made for a full recovery. He continued in his friendliness to Negroes.
Keifer died at the old homestead. The tract of land now known as the Prairie Cemetery was a gift from Keifer Croco. At his death and settlement of the estate of Keifer Croco, there were forty-five heirs.
Keifer and Belle had no children, but they took in Edith Belle Ewing as their own. She shows up with them in the 1870 Census as Edith Ewing. In the 1880 Census she is listed as their daughter Eddith Croco. She married in 1887 to William Thomas Courtwright and moved to KS. Keifer died in 1895 and Isabelle moved out to KS to live with Edith and William where she shows up in the 1900 and 1910 Census. Isabelle, Edith Belle Ewing/Courtwright and William all died in Sedan, Chautauqua Co., KS.
Keifer died at the old homestead. The tract of land now known as the Prairie Cemetery was a gift from Keifer Croco. At his death and settlement of the estate of Keifer Croco, there were forty-five heirs.
Keifer and Belle had no children, but they took in Edith Belle Ewing as their own. She shows up with them in the 1870 Census as Edith Ewing. In the 1880 Census she is listed as their daughter Eddith Croco. She married in 1887 to William Thomas Courtwright and moved to KS. Keifer died in 1895 and Isabelle moved out to KS to live with Edith and William where she shows up in the 1900 and 1910 Census. Isabelle, Edith Belle Ewing/Courtwright and William all died in Sedan, Chautauqua Co., KS.
Resided in an old home on Salt Creek north of Holmesville and engaged in farming and raising livestock. In national affairs he was very zealous, taking an active interest in operating the Underground Railroad that ran through several routes in Holmes County north to Canada. One of the stations of this Underground Railroad is visible to this day near Salt Creek on State Route 83. It was a rocky cavern concealed by brush that often sheltered twelve to fifteen Negroes during daylight, having been brought there by some friendly person the night before. Mr. Croco would feed and care for them through the day and then drive them north at night to the next station. The zeal of Mr. Croco and his brother John caused them to have numerous enemies. They were even shot at and John was assaulted by a mob that captured him and crushed his skull. Surgeons covered his brain with a gold plate and gave him little chance of survival. But his healthy constitution and physique made for a full recovery. He continued in his friendliness to Negroes.
Keifer died at the old homestead. The tract of land now known as the Prairie Cemetery was a gift from Keifer Croco. At his death and settlement of the estate of Keifer Croco, there were forty-five heirs.
Keifer and Belle had no children, but they took in Edith Belle Ewing as their own. She shows up with them in the 1870 Census as Edith Ewing. In the 1880 Census she is listed as their daughter Eddith Croco. She married in 1887 to William Thomas Courtwright and moved to KS. Keifer died in 1895 and Isabelle moved out to KS to live with Edith and William where she shows up in the 1900 and 1910 Census. Isabelle, Edith Belle Ewing/Courtwright and William all died in Sedan, Chautauqua Co., KS.
Keifer died at the old homestead. The tract of land now known as the Prairie Cemetery was a gift from Keifer Croco. At his death and settlement of the estate of Keifer Croco, there were forty-five heirs.
Keifer and Belle had no children, but they took in Edith Belle Ewing as their own. She shows up with them in the 1870 Census as Edith Ewing. In the 1880 Census she is listed as their daughter Eddith Croco. She married in 1887 to William Thomas Courtwright and moved to KS. Keifer died in 1895 and Isabelle moved out to KS to live with Edith and William where she shows up in the 1900 and 1910 Census. Isabelle, Edith Belle Ewing/Courtwright and William all died in Sedan, Chautauqua Co., KS.
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