Henry H. Crapo

Henry Howland Crapo (pronounced "Cray-poe") (May 24, 1804 – July 23, 1869) was Governor of Michigan during the end of the American Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction. Crapo was born to Jesse and Phoebe Crapo in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He spent his early years on his father's farm and then as a teacher in Dartmouth before moving to New Bedford, where he became a land surveyor, and occasionally acted as an auctioneer. He was elected To... more

Henry Howland Crapo (pronounced "Cray-poe") (May 24, 1804 – July 23, 1869) was Governor of Michigan during the end of the American Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction. Crapo was born to Jesse and Phoebe Crapo in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He spent his early years on his father's farm and then as a teacher in Dartmouth before moving to New Bedford, where he became a land surveyor, and occasionally acted as an auctioneer. He was elected Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Collector of taxes, which office he held until the municipal government was changed, about fifteen years. Upon the inauguration of the city government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector of taxes, a position which he held two or three years. He was also Justice of the Peace for many years. He was elected Alderman of New Bedford, and was Chairman of Council Committee on Education, along with involvement in the whaling industry. A barque built at Dartmouth, of which he was part owner, was named the H. H. Crapo in... less