Martin McCrea was born in Kentucky May 31 1806. His father died when he was but 10 years old and Martin was brought up in the family of an uncle in Indiana. He married Margaret Ann Crum, January 1, 1835. he had 3 sons and 3 daughters. He was a peculiar man. Brought up on the extreme Western frontier, he was deprived of almost all the advantages of common schools. His associations were with the dwellers in the log cabins; he hated intensely what he understood to be a mean act. If he made up his mind to be a man's friend, he would stand by him until the death. On the other hand, if he became possessed with the idea that a man was dishonest, he would so fearlessly. He often indulged in veins of wit and sarcasm, and was incapable of revenge. During a cold winter he was making his way on foot to Harvey's store, at Empire, to purchase a pair of winter boots. His feet being very large, he had spoken to Mr. Harvey to bring on some extra sizes. On his way he met a neighbor, who had just come from the store. He hastily inquired if the Bush family had been at the store since the boots had come, and, being told that they had, he turned around at once and started for home, remarking that if the Bush family had been there, there would be none left for him.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 227
