Squire A. Cruse

PERSONAL:Born February 29, 1796 in Kentucky where he lived his first 16 yearsLived, married and had six children in Tennessee 1812 – 1833 Arrived in Tejas/Texas at age 50 in 1834Had seven more children, fought in two wars and developed 2 leagues of landDied. May 24, 1877 and buried in Cruse Cemetery at Emilee near Wolf Creek Community

NATIONAL SCENE:1796 – George Washington was concluding his second 4-year term of office and declined a 3 rd term(More info to give a brief backdrop for Squire’s 81 years)18191833-34war for independenceMexican American WarWar between the statesReconstruction

The Noblest Work of God, An Honest Man

Born in 1796, When Tejas stood wild and scrappy,

Squire Cruse began his life of adventureIn the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

His American roots held strong and true; Grandpa fought for Virginia’s soil.

Revolutionary battles raged across the land, But God’s grace repaid that toil.

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Strong and handsome Squire grew as a man; A farmer and blacksmith by trade.

Wanderlust lured him to rivers and rafts, To Tennessee where a new home he made.

An honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, Squire looked at each task and then did it.

That ethic paid off when he wanted to courtThe lovely Miss Piety Pruitt.

Her slender, dainty and demure appearanceCaptured his heart at first sight;

Her eyes, like pools lined with golden brown leaves, Reflected the lantern light.

In 1819, she became his bride; Together they managed their farm.

First came John (called Jack) then two more sons, Making the home happy and warm.

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Now in the 1820’s Tejas remained untamed, But thrilling yarns did abound.

Rich farmland and low prices enticed brave investors; Wild game was plenteous all ‘round.

Such accounts caught Squire’s adventurous spirit, But Piety declined to go.

In time, she relinquished, they planned for the journey; First the harvest, and then westward ho!

Then a dream spread fear into Piety’s heart.Oh, wait. She began to rave;

I saw our raft wrecked, our children drowned, The Mississippi a watery grave.

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As time went by Piety’s fears grew dim; Squire’s hope sprouted brave new seeds.

And the Cruse family added three little girlsWhile Tejas tales blossomed like weeds.

At last, a wagon stood packed to the brim; Two mules hitched up for the trip.

A cow, six children and mom and dadStruck out for the great Mississip.

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‘Twas the fall of 1833; Squire’s troup reached the muddy riverside.

There they camped to construct their floating homeAnd load up their goods for the ride.

With mules and wagon, children and cow, Squire cast off and hugged the east bank.

Father and sons took turns on the pollsWhile distance to Tejas shrank.

They could float down to Vicksburg to board a real shipHeaded west for the shoreline of sand.

Then they’d roll along to the Sabine River bank, Gateway to the promised land.

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Moonlight and dark clouds took turns in the sky; Lunging logs caught their boat unaware.

Fierce impact, bonds shattered, raft flying asunder, Dark water held most in its snare.

Jack rescued his mom, and Squire survived; Piety’s nightmare alas did repeat.

All five young bodies recovered, laid to restWrapped with kindness in homespun sheets.

Merciful angels in a lone cabin atop the bankGave promise to attend each small grave.

A cedar tree planted at the head of each moundWould stand for decades, faithful and brave.

What to do? Where to go? Turn homeward or forge ahead?Squire gently put the question to Piety.

With grief stricken hearts they made a clean start; To Tejas with help from the Almighty.

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In March of 1834, Again the Cruse expedition set out

With new wagon and fanciful cast iron stove, Fresh supplies and tools, too, no doubt.

At first, Bevil District and a labor of land; “Twas good, but not the best.

The Wolf Creek Settlement offered more, A league of land to test.

Quite sure that Wolf Creek was his final home, Squire took care to build each part.

Log cabin and smokehouse, barn and pens, He formed each structure with heart.

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As Texicans, they found a fertile land of riches, But fear drained much of the fun.

A cruel Mexican government threatened the peace; Many settlers wanted to run.

Ben Milam requested volunteers for a fight; To remove Santa Anna, the goal.

Squire Cruse and Sam Belt replied to the call; With others who joined the Muster Roll.

Leaving Piety, Jack and new baby William, Squire took off to defend his new land.

“Twas 1836; the Alamo fell; Dark days were surely at hand.

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“You must RUN, RUN AWAY!” Piety heeded the shouts; Food left on her stove, fire red.

Jack gathered their neighbor with her newborn babe; Gentle horse, babe in basket they all fled.

A rider reached the travelers ‘fore they spotted the Sabine. “Turn back! Good news from out yon.

Sam Houston and his men have defeated the foe.Texas’ War for Independence is won.”

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Ah, peace at last and time for his land; Squire’s blessings stacked up quite tall.

Another baby daughter came in a year; Clementine brought joy to all.

Years of prosperity marched along; Two more daughters added their sound.

Squire’s service in War earned another league of land; Near Woodville he broke new ground.

For Squire’s final foray away into battle, He joined the Mexican American War.

His efforts there earned a pension for his lifetime, For service in fields near and afar.

Now three more sons were born to the unionOf Squire and Piety Cruse.

Counting five tragic deaths, thirteen children all told, Each birth considered good news.

In 1877 Squire Cruse took final rest, His 81 years made a mark.

Through tragedy, war and glorious peaceHe kept his adventurous spark.

His descendants are many; his legacy strong, And his final resting place can be found

At Cruse Cemetery, near his beloved Wolf Creek; With cherished loved ones placed all around.

A fitting epithet marks his grave: The Noblest Work of God, An Honest Man.