AsaCrook's Photobucket Descendants of Theron Wells Crook and Asa Crook album media

My mother and my father in the old house

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:36 MDT

AsaCrook posted a photo

My mother and my father in the old house - LesJean.jpg

I have to admit this photo makes me want to gag. I do not want to see my parents in anything resembling a romantic moment. However, here is the newly married Jean Crook with Lester Crook. Much later they would raise a son, myself, and a daughter, Erin.

Lester Owen Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:35 MDT

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Lester Owen Crook - Lester.jpg

This is my dad as a sailor during WW2. Like his dad, he grew up in the "old house." After a while, the old house was showing its age (it would rock in the wind), so he and my mother built a new house next door where "Grandpa and Grandma Crook" lived out their lives. Dad was the first in the immediate family to graduate from college. He was also one of the few to move away from the Smith River/Gold Beach area. Whenever I go to Smith River, I always see cousins all over the place.

My aunt Evelyn

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:34 MDT

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My aunt Evelyn - Evelyn.jpg

Chester Asa Crook (aka "Grandpa") had a son and a daughter to my grandmother, May Owen Crook. "Auntie Em" is still a bundle of energy, and she is depicted here as a little girl.

Smith River General Store

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:33 MDT

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Smith River General Store - SRstore.jpg

This store is still standing on Fred Haight Drive. It was a general store when I was a boy, and then became a Mexican Restaurant. I do not know how it is used now. I believe I have some family members in this photo, although I do not recall who right now.

Smith River Elementary School

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:32 MDT

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Smith River Elementary School - SRelem.jpg

All grades were taught together. The last boy in the first row on the left (at the very back of the schoolhouse) is my grandfather, Ches Crook.

Old Smith River, California

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:31 MDT

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Old Smith River, California - SmithRiver.jpg

The light-colored building with the short tower in the center is the creamery on Fred Haight Drive where my grandfather, Chester Asa Crook, used to work. My dad worked there briefly crawling into the boilers and cleaning them out (he was young and wiry then). If you move diagonally at a 45 degree, you will see the "old house" with smoke coming from the chimney. Follow the street (First Street) and you will find the old Methodist church which would be burned down by an arsonist in the 1970s.

The "old house" on First Street, Smith River, CA

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:30 MDT

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The "old house" on First Street, Smith River, CA - oldhouse.jpg

This was actually two houses that were joined together at the center. It did not have supporting beams -- it was created of old growth redwood (2-3 foot wide boards!!!) that stretched from the first to the second floor. Its "insulation" consisted of layers of wallpaper covering layers of newspaper. When the house burned down accidentally in the late 1970s, the firemen noted finding newspapers covering the walls dating from the 1860s. The house was kept in Ellen Crook's name -- apparently Asa Crook was good poker player, but Ellen worried that he might lose the house if it was in his name.

Greeting at the gate of the "old house" in Smith River

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:29 MDT

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Greeting at the gate of the "old house" in Smith River - oldhousegreeting.jpg

This looks like my grandmother Ellen Crook in later years with possibly William Crook coming to visit.

Ellen Lockwood Crook (Asa Crook's wife)

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:28 MDT

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Ellen Lockwood Crook (Asa Crook's wife) - EllenCrook.jpg

Ellen (or "Mrs. Crook" as my grandmother used to refer to her) on the long pathway to the "old house" on First Street in Smith River, California. She would raise my grandfather, Chester Asa Crook, after Catherine Woodruff Crook's death.

Crook Ranch, Pistol River

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:27 MDT

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Crook Ranch, Pistol River - PRCrooks.jpg

I cannot identify the persons in the center, but I can identify my great grandfather, William Crook, on the left and John Crook on the right.

Pistol River area and the Crook Ranch

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:26 MDT

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Pistol River area and the Crook Ranch - PistolRiver.jpg

Rumor has it that at one time this was the largest privately held property on along the West Coast (aka beach front property). It was originally a sheep farm, and then supplied timber. My grandfather and his brothers at one time had a half baked notion to burn out the forest to make room for more sheep. My dad put out the fire. Later, when timber became exponentially more valuable, my dad's uncles told him that it was probably a good idea that he stopped that fire when he did.

John Crook as a boy on his horse

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:25 MDT

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John Crook as a boy on his horse - JohnCrook.jpg

John Crook and Jane

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:24 MDT

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John Crook and Jane - JohnJane.jpg

I feel certain that his photo was taken on First Street in Smith River, CA. I remember the house in the background, and it was still standing until around 1990 when the family decided to let the local volunteer fire department burn it down (I know, you Smith River history buffs are cringing too).

John Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:23 MDT

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John Crook - john.jpg

John is either the son of Asa Crook or Theron Crook, Sr. My family history is fuzzy on this one, but I tend to think that he would have been Theron Crook, Jr.'s brother and therefore Theron Sr.'s son. This Theron Crook never likely set foot in Prophetstown, IL. He is the son of Theron who was born in 1816 (due to his facial features, I think that it is he who is identified as "Asa Jr." in another photograph. UPDATE: The better bet is that John is Asa H.'s son. From the internet I learned that Nancy was 20 years older than Theron (This may be why a younger wife named Ida is identified in a previous photo) Contemporary sources identified their children as Asa Crook, Mary E. Crook, George A. Crook, Adelia E Crook, Lucy F Crook, Adam R Crook, Edward Crook, and Edwin Crook. No John is mentioned. It is possible that John is the brother of Theron Jr. and the son of Asa H. Crook.

Clara Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:22 MDT

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Clara Crook - Clara.jpg

Clara left all of her belongings with the Crook family, including this beautiful sketch of her.

Clara Crook (on the right)

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:21 MDT

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Clara Crook (on the right) - Clara2.jpg

The disappearing Clara provides good fodder for another family mystery. Family lore has it that General George Crook was a great uncle who stayed in touch with Theron Sr. and family. However, there is no known genealogical connection with General George and my Crook family. Clara's story provides an interesting coincidence. General Crook was stationed in Oregon at the same time as Theron was raising his family. Clara moves to Arizona around the same time that General Crook is stationed in that state. My dad always said that Crooks like to move in packs, so maybe there is some truth to the family legend.

Clara Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:20 MDT

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Clara Crook - ClaraCrook.jpg

Clara Crook, my grandfather's aunt and daughter of Theron, is an enigma. After she married and took off to Arizona, no one in the family heard from her again.

Ollie Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:19 MDT

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Ollie Crook - Ollie.jpg

Yet again, I do not know any history of Olivia Crook. However, she was obviously beautiful and likely a daughter of Theron Sr.

Ed Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:18 MDT

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Ed Crook - EdCompany.jpg

I believe that this is one of two twins to Theron and Nancy Crook. From our glorious internet, I find the following: Nancy Alvira Hamilton born May 6, 1816; m Theron Crook March 3, 1836 (Knox Co IL). Children Are: Asa Crook, Mary E. Crook, George A. Crook, Adelia E Crook, Lucy F Crook, Adam R Crook, Edward Crook twin, Edwin Crook twin

Ed Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:00:17 MDT

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Ed Crook - EdCrook.jpg

I know nothing about Ed. He kind of looks like my cousin John. I believe he would have been one of Theron Sr.'s sons. UPDATE: I believe that this is one of two twins to Theron and Nancy Crook. From our glorious internet, I find the following: Nancy Alvira Hamilton born May 6, 1816; m Theron Crook March 3, 1836 (Knox Co IL). Children Are: Asa Crook, Mary E. Crook, George A. Crook, Adelia E Crook, Lucy F Crook, Adam R Crook, Edward Crook twin, Edwin Crook twin

Theron Crook, Jr. and a friend

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:47 MDT

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Theron Crook, Jr. and a friend - Theronfriend.jpg

This photo was likely taken in the Gold Beach, Oregon area. Theron was a butcher. He never married and had no children.

Theron Crook, Jr.

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:46 MDT

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Theron Crook, Jr. - theron.jpg

This Theron Crook never likely set foot in Prophetstown, IL. He is the son of Theron who was born in 1816 (due to his facial features, I think that it is he who is identified as "Asa Jr." in another photograph. UPDATE: Theron Jr. MAY be the son of Theron Sr. From the internet I learned that Nancy was 20 years older than Theron (This may be why a younger wife named Ida is identified in a previous photo) Contemporary sources identified their children as Asa Crook, Mary E. Crook, George A. Crook, Adelia E Crook, Lucy F Crook, Adam R Crook, Edward Crook, and Edwin Crook. No Theron Jr. is mentioned. It is possible that Theron Jr. is the son of Asa H. Crook.

Chester Asa Crook as a boy

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:45 MDT

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Chester Asa Crook as a boy - Chester.jpg

"Grandpa Crook" lived with his grandmother for all of his adult life until he married my grandmother -- and then he only moved to the next nearby house. His father, William Crook, traveled about 40 miles north to the Gold Beach, Oregon area where the Crook Ranch was situated on the Pistol River. He married Julia (my great-grandmother's cousin) and raised a second family on the Ranch.

Ches Crook as a baby

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:44 MDT

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Ches Crook as a baby - Chesterbaby.jpg

This is my grandfather as a baby. After his mother died, my grandfather was taken care of by his grandmother (Asa Crook's wife) in the "old house." He never lived more than 3 houses down from the "old house" in Smith River. An interesting family story relates that grandpa was not supposed to live beyond age 40 due to a perceived sickly nature brought on by the death of his mother. In reality he smoked like a chimney and died at age 82.

Chester Asa Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:43 MDT

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Chester Asa Crook - ChesCrook.jpg

Ches Crook is my grandfather and is pictured here in his WW1 uniform. He worked in the manufacture of airplanes during the war -- no combat. He was a game warden, hunter, trapper, worker at the Smith River creamery, etc. He wore a lot of hats in addition to the one he is wearing here. He lived most of his life in the "old house" on First Street in Smith River.

Catherine Woodruff Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:42 MDT

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Catherine Woodruff Crook - Catherine.jpg

This is the only known photograph of my great grandmother. It is from her death card. To my eyes, my twin cousins Laura and Lori bear the greatest resemblance to her. Catherine married Will Crook at age 15. By age 16 she was pregnant. At age 17 she bore my grandfather, Chester, and died two weeks later from complications. Times do change; it would be scandalous now for any teenage bride to marry and bear children. Will went on to marry Catherine's cousin, Julia.

William Crook (as a baby)

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:41 MDT

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William Crook (as a baby) - babyWill.jpg

This is my great grandfather, and Asa's son, William Crook who live in Smith River, California and Gold Beach, Oregon for the rest of his life. Family rumor has it that the Crook Ranch on the Pistol River was the largest privately held property on the West Coast at one time.

Asa Jr. (?)

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:40 MDT

AsaCrook posted a photo

Asa Jr. (?) - AsaJr.jpg

This photograph was labeled "Asa Junior," but I am not familiar with anyone in the family that bore the first name "Asa" after Theron's son. These are notes in a very old family album and should be viewed with caution.

Theron Crook's son, Asa Crook

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:39 MDT

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Theron Crook's son, Asa Crook - Asa.jpg

Like his grandfather from Prophetstown, Asa Crook was a successful rancher and public figure in Del Norte County, California/Gold Beach, Oregon area. He even represented Gold Beach in the Oregon State House of Representatives. An interesting fact from the internet: Asa H. was born on December 12, 1836, almost 9 months to the day that Theron and Nancy were married. So -- Nancy may have been 20 years older than Theron, but they sure wasted no time in having children.

Theron Crook Senior and his wife, Ida.

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:57:50 MDT

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Theron Crook Senior and his wife, Ida. - TheronIda.jpg

Genealogical records state that Theron Wells Crook was born on March 12, 1816 to Asa Crook Sr. and Mary Dustin of Prophetstown, IL. He married Nancy Hamilton. However, this photograph identifies his wife as Ida. I have no information concerning Nancy or Ida in family lore. UPDATE: From the internet I learned that Nancy was 20 years older than Theron. This may be why a younger wife named Ida is identified in this photo. Nancy is listed as having died in 1853 in Illinois. In other words, she may never have made it out to Oregon or California. [Nancy Alvira Hamilton born May 6, 1816; m Theron Crook March 3, 1836 (Knox Co IL).]

A mystery . . .

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:57:49 MDT

AsaCrook posted a photo

A mystery . . . - ukn11.jpg

Like most families, the Crooks rarely date or identify their pictures in any way. We think we will live forever to do so. Sadly, I have scans of many unknowns. Judging by the style of clothes and type of photograph, this is the oldest unknown I have come across. Is this a Crook? Is this Theron Sr.? Could it even be Asa Sr.? It seems to predate the Crook family's arrival on the West Coast, so perhaps someone knows its history. Until then, the mystery continues.

Smith River neighbor, Agnes Maris

AsaCrook — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:57:48 MDT

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Smith River neighbor, Agnes Maris - AgnesMaris.jpg

Nope, she is not a Crook. However, Agnes was an early pioneer of Smith River and continues to have the distinction of building the oldest extant house in Smith River, California. "Mrs. Maris' house" on First Street has always been in various states of repair when I have seen it, but the last time I was in Smith River, I seem to recall it looked like someone was trying to fix it up. That is a good thing -- the house dates to at least the 1860s and should be preserved as an important California monument.