Sacramento Bee
Sacramento, Sacramento County, California
Monday 8 January 1906

E. J. CROLY, for many years a contractor in this city, died at his home at Twelfth and P Streets Saturday night, aged 70 years. Mr. Croly was born near Toronto, Canada. He was educated in the schools of Cleveland and at Oberlin College, Ohio. At the age of 17 he began to learn the trade of carpenter. In 1865 he located in Chicago, and then coming to California took up his home in Sacramento in 1867.

In 1899 Mr. Croly was the victim of a murderous assault, from which many of his friends believe he never entirely recovered. His house was entered by two burglars, Leroy and Seright, who supposed Mr. Croly was not at home. But he was, and arising from his bed he, without weapons, attacked the two burglars and drove them out. They fired several shots at him, two of which took effect. He hovered between life and death for a long time, but finally was able to attend to his usual duties. The burglars were captured and sent to prison.

Mr. Croly’s wife survives him. He was a member and Past Master of Sacramento Lodge, No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of Sacramento Commandery, No. 2, K. T.; Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M.; Capital Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F. and Pacific Encampment No. 2 of the same order.

In 1868 Mr. Croly formed a co-partnership with Silas CARLE, and together they built many of the important edifices of the town. Under Mayor HUBBARD he served two years as City Superintendent of Streets. Mr. Croly was a man of much force of character, and of rugged qualities which, while naturally arousing enmities, nevertheless won for him many admirers and friends.

Of late years Mr. Croly was not actively engaged in business. He was a Director of the People’s Bank at the time of his death.

The funeral of Mr. Croly took place at 3 o’clock this afternoon from his late residence, and was largely attended. Services were conducted at the home of Rev. W. W. CASE, of the Sixth Street M. E. Church, of which the deceased was a member. Sacramento Commandery and Sacramento Lodge of the Masonic Order conducted the services at the cemetery. The pall-bearers were: E. C. ATKINSON and W. M. PETRIE for the Masons; William BECKMAN and G. W. LORENZ for the People’s Bank; J. L. HUNTOON and P. BOHL for the Sixth Street M. E. Church; M. McKENZIE and John HOUSTON for the Builders’ Association, and N. WILCOX and Charles COLQUHOUN representing friends of the family.