Pennsylvania Volunteers
in the Spanish-American War

1898-1899

PA Spanish-American War

Biography of a PA soldier, Thomas Critchfield

Jacob Albert Critchfield was born in Somerset county Pennsylvania, September 8, 1852. his wife, Mary Ann Wilson, in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, in 1855. They were married in Bedford county and about 1873 moved to Fayette county, where they now reside on a farm. Mary Ann, his wife, was a daughter of Adam and Rebecca Ann (Peck) Wilson, both born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, where Adam, a farmer and large land owner, died, and his widow yet resides, but married again to a Mr. Engle, and has John, Rachel, Anna, William, Reuben and Lucy by her second husband.

Children of Adam Wilson : Mary Ann (of previous mention); Amanda Ella, married Scott Rohm; and a son who died in infancy.

Children of Jacob Albert and Mary Ann (Wilson) Critchfield : Charles Wilson; Bertha Mae (of previous mention), first wife of Frederick Cooper Leighty; William Grover; Thomas B. , a veteran of the Spanish-American war, serving in the Philippines, where he was wounded in battle, but recovered; Edgar Monroe, enlisted in the United States navy, served his term and later was accidentally shot while hunting in Arizona.

John J. Critchfield is a son of William Critchfield, born in Somerset county, a farmer, and for many years a justice of the peace; he owned a great deal of land in Somerset county, and there lived and died; he had three children: 1. John J. (of previous mention), who was drafted and served in Company D, 28th Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. 2. Jesse, also served in the Union army, was captured in battle, and later released on parole. 3. Betsey, married John Baidagan, a farmer of Fayette county.