William H. Crowley

William H. Crowley, second engineer of the steamer Pathfinder, is yet a young man, one whose future in the marine world seems to be of no ordinary promise. He is the son of Michael and Mary (Cary) Crowley, both of whom were natives of Ireland.

Michael Crowley, father of our subject, came to America in his youth, and in New York learned the shipbuilder's trade, at which occupation he spent the greater part of his active life. From New York he removed to Detroit, thence after a time coming to Marine City, Mich., some thirty years ago, at which place he is still making his home. Here he bought a nice farm within the city limits, continuing his trade all along, however, being one of the pioneer shipbuilders of that city. He and his wife are now living in retirement in the enjoyment of ease and comfort, the reward of honest toil and judicious economy.

William H. Crowley, whose name introduces this sketch, was born on the homestead, in Marine City, December 12, 1872, and attended the public schools of the locality until he was sixteen years of age, and also working on the farm until 1890. At that time he commenced his marine life, to which he has since devoted his energies, going first on the steamer V. H. Ketcham (in the building of which his father had much to do), as wheelsman, which position he held one and one-half years, and then served as oiler on the same vessel for half a season. Later he spent part of a season on the steamer Pueblo as fireman, afterward going on the steamer Pathfinder as oiler, continuing as such until the spring of 1896, when he accepted his present position, that of second engineer on the same vessel.

Mr. Crowley is a brother of Capt. F. J. Crowley and Edward Crowley, both of whom have been sailing the lakes for several years, F. J. being at the present time captain of the steamer Maruba.

On January 18, 1898, William H. Crowley was married at Marine City, Mich., to Miss Johanna Antons, daughter of John and Pauline Antons, all of Marine City. Socially, our subject is a member of the M. E. B. A., at Marine City.

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Volume I

This version of Volume II is based, with permission, on the work of the great volunteers at the Marine Captains Biographies site. To them goes the credit for reorganizing the content into some coherent order. The biographies in the original volume are in essentially random order.

Some of the transcription work was also done by Brendon Baillod, who maintains an excellent guide to Great Lakes Shipwreck Research.