Was born in South Carolina and reared upon a farm. Moved to Cherokee County Alabama in the fall of 1851. In Alabama he was the overseer of a large plantation until 1863. During this time his industry and economy enabled him to acquire a capital sufficient to purchase a smell farm. He had become convinced that slavery was wrong and his abolition principles awakened the bitter opposition of the slave-holding people among whom he lived. For some time he had to remain in hiding else his life would have been taken by the rebels. All the building and improvements upon his farm were destroyed, and in 1865, selling his land at a great sacrifice, he came north and rented a farm near Pleasant Hill, Miami County Ohio. There he lived until 1872, at which time he moved to Ansonia, Darke County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1900 he was a hale and hearty men of sixty-eight years. In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Republican and a member of the Christian church. He first married Melvina Patty a native of Albany, who died at thirty-eight years of age, leaving four children. After his first wife Melvina passed away he remarried Anna Cruey. He and his second wife Anna had twins George C. and J.Clifford born July 25, 1872. Philip received his Masonic degrees in Pleasant Hill Lodge #361. Initiated 8/14/1872, Passed 8/28/1872, Raised 3/26/1873. He was one of 16 Master Masons who petitioned The Grand Lodge of Ohio in the fall of 1874 to start a new Lodge in Ansonia Ohio. He was the first Tyler of Ansonia Lodge #488 in 1874. His second wife Anna passed away in 1914. He was admitted into The Ohio Masonic Home January 25, 1918. Buried in section B Lot 4-2 OMH Cemetery. This information was researched and comes from several sources: 1) A letter from Doris Carey to Don & Maryanna Cromer 12/15/1979; 2) Application for Admission to The Ohio Masonic Home; 3) Response to a letter sent to Robert Barnum of Ansonia Masonic Lodge #488. 4) Response to a letter sent to Vernon E. Musser Grand Secretary; 5) An article on his son Peyton E. Cromer, M.D. from 1900 genealogical and Biographical Record of Miami County Ohio. Research from 9/13/1991 through 7/28/1992 by his Great-great grandson Bill C. Cromer and twice Past Master of Huber Heights Lodge #777.