John Cruse (1842-1864), possible grandson of Jeremiah Cruse and Elizabeth Harland

A continuing series on the possible children and grandchildren of Jeremiah Cruse of Madison County, Kentucky, and Vigo Couty, Indiana, and his wife Elizabeth Harland. This information courtesy of Marian Kay Abbott.

John Cruse was born about 1842 (1, 2) in Vigo County, Indiana (3) to David Cruse and Jane Jewell. He was the fifth child of seven known children of David and Jane. 

When John was about four or five years old, his father died. His mother continued living on their farm in Honey Creek Township. 

John was nineteen years old when the Civil War broke out. Three years later, on 16 February 1864 at Terra Haute he enlisted as a private in Company C, 31st Regiment of Indiana Volunteers under the command of Captain Thompson. He was mustered into service a week later on 24 February in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is recorded to have had black eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall (3). Older brother Zachariah Cruse was mustered into the same company on the same day also under the command of Captain Thompson (3). Older brother William Cruse also served in Company C, 31st Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, but under Lt. Conover. William also did not enlist until March of 1865 (4). 

John died on 5 August 1864 of fever at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is buried in the National Cemetery there (4). 

In 1866, John's mother, Jane (Jewell) Cruse, applied for a pension on behalf of her son John's Civil War service. Her son Jeremiah Cruse and her neighbors, S. S. Moore and Mrs. Eliza Jane Evans, provided written testimony in support of her request. They stated that John Cruse died leaving no widow or child, and that for the five years before John's death he worked as a farm hand and regularly supplied 1/2 of his widowed mother's support. He was seen on a number of occasions taking home various articles and groceries for her use. After he enlisted and received his pay, Mrs. Evans saw him give his other $50 for her support. At the time of the application, Jane owned 40 acres of land, a few household items, and one cow. The general consensus was that without his help, his mother would not live comfortably. In May of 1867, Jane Cruse was awarded a pension of $8 per month (5). 

Sources:

(1) 1850 U. S. Federal Census, Jane (Jewell) Cruse's household, Honey Creek Township, Vigo Co IN.

(2) 1860 U. S Federal Census, Jane (Jewell) Cruse's household, Honey Creek Township, Vigo Co IN. 

(3) File in Indiana State Archives regarding Federal Enlistment, transcribed and provided by Marian Kay Abbott.

(4) Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, Vol 5, 1861-1865, 1866. 

(5) Civil War Pension Records for Jane Cruse (John Cruse). 

.