Asbury B. Crocheron has spent almost his entire life in Owyhee County and is now a leading resident of Silver City. His prominence in this locality is indicated by his long retention in public office, and at the present writing, 1899, he is filling the office of county sheriff. A native of Oregon, he was born in Eugene, that state, on the 25th of October, 1860. The family is of French origin and was founded in America at a very early period in the colonial history of the country. A settlement was made in New York, and when British oppression forced the colonies into insurrection, the great-grandfather of our subject entered the service and, with the rank of captain, participated in the struggle for freedom. J. H. Crocheron, the father of the sheriff, was born in New York City, and when gold was discovered in California made his way to the Pacific slope. Subsequently he removed to Oregon, where he was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Crow, and in 1864 he brought his family to Idaho, locating in Idaho City, where he engaged in mining for about three years. In 1867 he came to Silver City, and in 1872 turned his attention to farming, his home being on Sinker creek. There he has since carried on agricultural pursuits, and, although now seventy-two years of age still superintends the operation of his land. His wife also is living, and they have three sons and two daughters, the family circle yet unbroken by the hand of death.
Asbury B. Crocheron, the eldest child, was educated in the public schools of Silver City, and for many years has been engaged in the stock business with his father, acquiring a wide reputation as one of the best riders and “ropers” in the county. He is an excellent judge of stock and his efforts in the line of this industry have been crowned with a high degree of success. His time of late years, however, has been divided between his private interests and his public service. He allied himself with the Republican Party on attaining his majority and supported its men and measures until 1896, when, differing radically in regard to the money plank of the national platform, he has since been a silver Republican. His fitness for public office has several times led to his selection for important service in the interests of his fellow citizens, his duties being in connection with the offices of county assessor and tax-collector, to which he was elected in 1890. So capably and acceptably did he serve during that term that he was reelected without opposition in 1894, and filled the position until 1896, when he was elected county sheriff. Over his public record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and men of all parties speak of him in the most commendatory terms.
On the 14th of October 1897, Mr. Crocheron was united in marriage to Mrs. Millie Walston, nee Stanford, a niece of Senator Stanford, of California, now deceased. They now have one son, and their hospitable home in Silver City is a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Crocheron is past noble grand of Silver City Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and is prominent in the fraternity, having the warm regard of the brethren. Such in brief is the life history of one whose career has been one of close connection with the interests of Owyhee County, and as a representative citizen of Idaho he well deserves mention in this volume.
