Find A Grave Memorial# 84755285
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Veteran War of 1812
George Lennox Crookham known as Big George was born of English parents, James Crookham and Hannah Perry. James fought in The Revolutionary War as a Gunner in Col. Flowers Regiment of Artillery Officers. George was born during the war on November 18, 1779 in Carlisle, Cumberland Co, Pa. George qualified himself as a teacher. He moved to a new settlement in the Ohio Territory called Salt Lick Town, and he was the first teacher in the area. He also worked in the salt furnaces to supplement his income. On January 19, 1808 he married Sarah Ann Lake who was from Boone's Lick, KY. Her father, Asa, owned a salt furnace. The Crookhams had 16 children and school teaching is how he supported his family. George became known as the best-educated individual in the county. George bought land in Lick Township and built his home and a school. "The Jack Oak College". He taught a young man, John Wesley Powell, who went on to become the second most famous explorer in the history of the USA and the head of the USA Geographical Survey. George Crookham was also a soldier in the war of 1812. He died on February 28, 1858 at the age of 77 years 3 months and ten days. This man's life, helping to settle a wilderness, at the same time providing an education to those who braved unknown conditions in the Ohio Country, is remarkable.
(Information taken from The Jackson Historical Society article on George L. Crookham)