Asa Crook was born in Rutland county, Vermont, in 1790. When nineteen years of age he moved to Erie county, New York, where he remained until 1831, when he came to Indiana, staying there only a year, and then moving to Michigan. His residence in the Wolverine State was of three years duration, and in May, 1834, he came to Prophetstown, and made a claim adjoining the present village. He then returned for his family, and going by the way of Knox county, engaged a Mr. Benjamin Brown there to go up to Prophetstown to do some breaking for him. He arrived with his family on the 4th of June, and as the breaking had been completed, planted it to sod corn, which produced a good crop. Mr. Crook erected a log house that season, and lived in it until1839, when he built the large two-story frame house now owned by W. A. Taylor. In this house he entertained many travelers. He was probably the first Justice of the Peace in the county, having been elected to that office in August, 1835. He was also Postmaster early in 1836. He was always a farmer, but like many other of the early settlers, made some money in selling claims. Mr. Crook's family was a large one, and endowed with strong constitutions. The children are all still living, and enjoying excellent health. Mrs. Crook is with her son Timothy D., in Nebraska, and is now 84 years of age. Mr. Crook died in Sharon, Henry county, in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Crook, the latter being a Miss Mary Dustin, were married in 1811. Their children have been: Theron, who married Miss Nancy Hamilton, and lives in Oregon; Timothy D., who married Miss Elizabeth Barker, and lives in Nebraska; Charles, living in Iowa; Asa Jr., who married Miss Lucy Cole, and lives in Herry county, Illinois; Lydia, who married Norman B. Seely, and lives in California; Mary, who married Mr. Penwell, and after his death, Andrew T. Bracken, and lives in Portland; Cynthia, who married David Brown, and lives in Iowa; Lucy, who married Robert Woodside, and lives in Portland; Sarah, who married P. Bacchus Besse, and lives in Portland; Laura, who married Benjamin Mattson, and lives in Henry county, Illinois; and Caroline, who married David Vader, and lives in Iowa.

History of Whiteside County, Illinois/ Edited by Charles Bent. L. P. Allen, Printer and Binder, Clinton, Iowa, 1877. page 375

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