Crowder, Mark
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
DESCRIPTIVE OF ITS SCENERY,
AND
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
Published by Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia
1879
Page 121
MARK CROWDER the present city marshal of Carlinville, was born in Breckrenridge county, Kentucky, February 24th
1826. Mark Crowder, his father, was a native of Virginia; he came to Kentucky, and settled near
Lexington in 1809. He married Rosanna Phillips; she was a native of Washington county, Kentucky.
Fifteen children were born to them, eleven of whom have survived the parents. Mr. Crowder came to
Madison county, Illinois, and settled near Alton, in 1829, where he remained until 1854, when he came
to Macoupin county, and died here Oct. 18th, 1868. His wife died in July, 1866. The subject of our
sketch spent his boyhood days at work upon the farm and attending school in the winter season. At the
age of nineteen years he practically started in life for himself. He then went to school for the purpose of
improving his education, after which he entered Shurtleff College at Upper Alton, where he remained
nearly four years. He maintained himself at school by working at the cooper trade during vacations.
By this means he succeeded in getting a good education. After this he commenced teaching in the old
school house where he had been a pupil. This was in 1849. In 1850 he came to Macoupin county and
taught school on Bear Creek, after which he returned to Madison county, and taught school in his old
home. The next year he taught in the Forks of Woodriver, after which he removed to Alton to finish his
education at Shurleff College, but an opportunity offered to teach in an academy, and he accepted the
situation. During that time his wife died. As soon as his school closed he came back to Carlinville,
where he followed the profession of teaching until 1854, when he rode deputy under assessor Snow,
and canvassed eighteen townships out of twenty-four. In the fall he became the candidate to fill the
vacancy of assessor occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Snow, but was defeated, owing to there
being four candidates in the field. In the fall of 1855 he was a candidate for the regular term, and was
elected; he served two years. He was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated. He then resumed
teaching, at which he continued until 1862, when he enlisted in Company "A", 122d regiment, Illinois
Vols. He entered as a private, but was subsequently promoted sergeant. At the battle of Parker's
Cross Roads he was wounded in the thigh, and was disabled for further duty, and was therefore
discharged February 3d, 1864. He returned home and engaged in mercantile business, in which he
remained one year. Was then elected city marshal, and remained in office two terms, after which he
again taught school. He was elected city collector in 1879; since that time he has been engaged in
teaching and farming, until 1879, when he was appointed city marshal, and at the present time holds
that office. On the 29th of January, 1851, he married Miss Martha Walker, by whom he had two
children, one of whom is living. His wife died March 3d, 1853. On the 5th of April, 1854, he married
Parthena C. Clark, who is a native of North Carolina, but was a resident of Macoupin county at the
date of her marriage. Four children have been born to them, two of whom are living. In politics Mr.
Crowder is a republican. He joined the Christian Church in 1843, and subsequently he attached himself
to the Baptist organization.
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