Henry H. Crapo
| Henry H. Crapo | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 14th Governor of Michigan | |
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In office January 3, 1865 – January 6, 1869 |
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| Lieutenant |
Ebenezer Grosvenor 1865-67 Dwight May 1867-69 |
| Preceded by | Austin Blair |
| Succeeded by | Henry P. Baldwin |
| 5th Mayor of the City of Flint | |
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In office 1860–1861 |
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| Preceded by | William M. Fenton |
| Succeeded by | Ephraim S. Williams |
| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 24th district | |
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In office 1863-1864 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Henry Howland Crapo May 24, 1804 Dartmouth, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 23, 1869 (aged 65) Flint, Michigan |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mary A. Slocum Crapo |
| Relations | William Crapo Durant, grandson |
| Children | Rebecca, Rhoda CrapoWilliam W. Crapo |
| Residence |
Grassmoor, Gaines Township Flint, Michigan |
| Occupation | Lumber, railroad |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Religion | Christian |
Henry Howland Crapo (pronounced Cray-poe; May 24, 1804 – July 23, 1869) was the 14th Governor of Michigan during the end of the American Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction.
Henry Howland Crapo was born to Jesse and Phoebe (Howland) Crapo in Dartmouth, Massachusetts on May 24, 1804. Jesse was of French descent and a farmer. Crapo took every opportunity to learn especially new words. He self-taught himself how to be a land surveyor from a book. After working as a surveyor, he became a teacher at the village school at Dartmouth. With a new high school, Henry passed the test to be principal of the new school.
He moved to New Bedford in 1832 at the age of 28 years. There, he returned to being a land surveyor, some times an auctioneer and entered the whaling business. He soon was involved in the town's government, being elected to various positions, Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Collector of taxes. He continued as Collector for 15 years until New Bedford became a city, then served the city as Treasurer and Collector of taxes for two or three years.
He was also Justice of the Peace for many years, he was elected Alderman of New Bedford; was Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and as such prepared a report upon which was based the order for the establishment of the free Public Library of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if not in the world. The Boston Free Library was established, however, soon afterwards. While a resident in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticulture, and to obtain the land necessary for carrying out his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here he started a nursery, which he filled with almost every description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took great pride. He was a regular contributor to the New England Horticultural journal, a position he filled as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indication of the wide reputation he acquired in that field of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an affecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the President of the National Horticultural Society at its meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. A fine barque built at Dartmouth, of which he was part owner, was named the "H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him.
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