Lucien B. Crooker

Lucien B. Crooker was born in Barnard, Vermont on November 12, 1839. About 1847 his family moved to Illinois, settling on the prairie near Grand De Tour, later moving to Paw Paw, Illinois and about 1858, Mendota, Illinois.

On April 19, 1861, 21 year old Crooker enlisted, at Mendota, Illinois, for three months and was part of Company B, 12th Illinois Infantry. After his three months expired, he re-enlisted for three years and was made Orderly Sergeant of Company I, 55th Illinois Infantry. In March 1862 he became 1st Lieutenant and in December 1862 he was promoted to Captain and transferred to Company F. After being  seriously wounded at Vicksburg, Mississippi, while leading an assault, he resigned his  commission and returned to Mendota on August 3, 1863.

Lucien was elected mayor of Mendota in 1875. In 1876 he was elected to the State Legislature, House of Representatives from the 17th District, and re-elected in 1878. Among other notable accomplishments, he was the author of many laws, one that created the Illinois Appellate Courts. This law was approved on June 2, 1877.

Captain Henry Crooker co-authored The Story of the 55th Illinois Infantry, published in 1887. He wrote the first four chapters.

Lucien Crooker died in his home in Mendota, Illinois on October 14, 1926 and is buried at Mendota's Restland Cemetery.

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