Simon Crites was born on December 24, 1842, the son of Daniel and Catherine (Benell) Crites, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Daniel and Catherine had eight children; Simon (1842), John (1844), Wesley (1847), William (1848), David (1850), Sylvanus (1852), Albert (1853), Jesse (1856).

In the 1850 Census Federal Census, Daniel and Catherine and their children are located in Salem, Tuscarawas, Ohio. They have six children living with them; Simon, John, Wesley, William, David and Ann. Ann is twelve years old and it appears that she is the daughter of George Crites, a niece to Daniel and Catherine. I do not see her listed with Daniel in later Census records.

In the 1860 Federal Census there appears to be a bit of confusion on the part of the Census taker. Two families are listed as one with the head of household listed first as Paul Crites, a wife Catherine and the names of all the Crites children; Simon, John, Wesley, William, David, Sylvanus, Albert, Jesse. Then listed under that same dwelling number and family number, they list Daniel and Catherine Crites with all of the same children. In my Crites research I do not have a Paul associated with my Crites line during this time period so I really think that this is an error on the part of he census taker. Daniel and his family have moved from Salem, Ohio to Halbert, Martin County, Indiana. Simon and John appear to be helping their father Daniel on the farm and are no longer attending school.

On December 31,1861, Simon joins Company B, Regiment 20, of the Indiana Infantry as a private in the Civil War in Lafayette, Indiana. This regiment was organized in July of 1861 in Lafayette Indiana and muster out to Indianapolis on July 22, 1861. They were a very active infantry participating in many battles in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia. On October 6, 1864, Simon is discharges after being wounded near Alexandria, Virginia. He was declared disabled by the military and sent home to heal from his wounds. He returned to Martin County, Indiana where he married Sarah Elizabeth Manning on December 10, 1865.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah are found in Perry, Martin County, Indiana. Simon is doing some farm labor. They have one son, Thomas Daniel who was born in 1867. By the 1880 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah have moved to Summit, Kansas. They have two children; Thomas (1867)and Simon (1879). Simon (Sr.) lists his disability in the Census and refers to it as damage to his shoulder.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah are in Summit Kansas. They have their son, Simon who is twenty years old Simon and a granddaughter, Athena (1895), living with them. Athena is the daughter of Thomas Daniel and Cynthia Belle (Carpenter) Crites.  In the 1910 Federal Census, Simon and Sarah have a grandson named Albert living with them. He is eight years old. They live in Milton, Kansas. Albert is the son of Thomas Daniel and Cynthia B. Crites.  He was also counted with his parents in Holton, Kansas.

By the time of the 1920 Census, Simon and Sarah have two boarders living with them. They are Ray and Alice Sins. They are listed as boarders so I assume there is no family connection. Simon and Sarah are now 77 years and 73 years old respectively. By the 1930 Federal Census, Simon is widowed. He is 87 years old and lives alone in Burns, Kansas.

Eighty six years ago, on January 22, 1933, Simon Crites died. He is buried at Summit Cemetery in Burns, Kansas.

Eighty six years ago, on January 22, 1933, Simon Crites died. He is buried at Summit Cemetery in Burns, Kansas.

Rest in peace, Simon!

Love, Jan

Simon is a second cousin four times removed.