Peter Crocker

Peter Crocker (1843-1911) was born in Steuben County, New York, on July 16, 1843. He was a Civil War Veteran and a lighthouse keeper at Key West. He was married to Sophia M. Crane and had six children.

Civil War Service
When he was 18 years old, he enlisted as a private in the Volunteer Union Army and served two three-year terms. During the Civil War he served in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. His final discharge was at Key West, Florida, on February 9, 1867.

Personal Life
While stationed in Key West, he met Sophia M. Crane. They married on April 3, 1867, and moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1873. They purchased 20 acres of land for $1.25 an acre and built a home southwest of Bay Road and (currently) Tamiami Trail. Sophia had six children, only one of which survived (Fannie).

Crocker was chronically ill while living in Sarasota and attributed it to a bout of typhoid he had in the army. He suffered from chronic rheumatism and other ailments, which frequently left him unable to work. He received a disability pension starting in 1885 at $2 a month and was increased to $3 in 1890.

Crocker died December 21, 1911 and was buried by his home near his children.

Life in Sarasota
The Crocker Family arrived before the Scottish settlers, making them one of the first white families to settle the area that is now Sarasota. After spending some time in the community, Crocker established a church (Crocker Church) and cemetery (Crocker Cemetery), became a trustee for the Phillippi School, and the postmaster of the Crocker Post Office located in his house from 1909-1912. He was also appointed to a committee to help to plan the roads surrounding the Bee Ridge area.

Peter Crocker was also a farmer and the first person to grow tobacco and coffee beans in Sarasota.