Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Sunday, 14 May 1905 HIRAM CRONK IS DEAD, Aged 105 Was Sole Survivor of the War of 1812 New York City Preparing to Give Aged Veteran Imposing Funeral, in Which State Will Participate Rome, N.Y., May 13. - HIRAM CRONK died at 6 a.m. today. AVA, N.Y. - HIRAM CRONK for years occupied a unique place in American history. As the last survivor of the first foreign war in which his country engaged after securing its independence he had been honored by the national government and by his native state as well. The veteran warrior also had another unique distinction. Months before his death and when he pronounced himself to be in almost perfect health despite his more than 104 years, he saw the legislative branch of the great- est city in the New World outline and practically per- fect elaborate plans for the disposition of his body after death. Signal honors were to be shown him ac- cording to these plans and even the spot where his body would find its last resting place was selected. Born at Frankfort, Herkimer county, N.Y., on April 29, 1800, HIRAM CRONK became a member of CAPTAIN EDWARD FULLER'S company of the 157th Infantry when only a lit- tle more than 14 years of age, by voluntary enlistment. His term of service was short, however - scarcely five weeks - and nearly all of it was spent in camp near Lake Ontario. He had hardly "smelled powder" up to that time. On the day following his discharge, however, while he was staying over at Watertown on his way to his home, there came the sounds of cannonading at Sackett Harbor, where a British warship was bombarding the fortifications. In less than a month he was back in the ranks serving with his father, JAMES CRONK, and his brothers, JOHN and CASPER, at Sacketts Harbor. There he served forty days as a private, assisting in the construction of barracks. In November, 1814, he was honorably discharged from the service. At the close of the war MR. CRONK learned the trade of shoemaker by which he gained a livlihood for many years. He was married in 1825 to MISS MARY THORNTON of Western, Oneida county, and they lived together for sixty years on the old farm in this town. They had seven children. "During the last years of his life MR. CRONK received from the state of New York a special pension of $72 per month in adition (sic) to the pension granted by the federal government to all survivors of the War of 1812. He was an honorary member of Fort Stanwix Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and also of the state and national chapters. Under a resolution passed by the Board of Aldermen of New York city in December of last year, the body of MR. CRONK will lie in state in the City Hall there and will be buried in Mount Victory, Cypress Hills Cemetery, in Brooklyn, where more than half a hundred of his fellow soldiers in the War of 1812 have been laid at rest. Albany - The Adjutant-General's office here was in- formed this morning of the death of HIRAM CRONK and at once set in motion preparations for the suitable par- cipitation of the National Guard in the ceremonies of the funeral of the sole known survivor in this state for the War of 1812. Adjutent-General HENRY has been notified of the death of MR. CRONK and he has opened communication with MR. CRONK'S family, with Major- General ROE, commanding the National Guard, the com- mander of the second brigade and the United States war departments, but could as yet give no details of the state's participation in the funeral. There would be undoubtedly, he said, participation by troops of the state as well as of the United States. New York - When the news of MR. CRONK'S death reached City Hall here, Alderman WIRTH, chairman of the commit- tee appointed by the board last December, called a meet- ing of the committee to arrange the final details of the cermonies to be held in this city. The committee will meet Monday and arrange for a public funeral. The City Hall is to be draped in mourning and the body of the veteran will be in state in the Governor's room on Wed- nesday. It will be guarded by an escort of the different G.A.R. posts of New York. All the military organizations as well as the G.A.R. posts will be invited to parade at the funeral. Governor HIGGINS has promised the attendance of the state militia and the general commanding the department has promised an escort and firing party of regulars. Military organi- zations from without the state have been invited to take a part in the ceremonies. ===========================================================================