Born in near Louisville, Kentucky. Graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1810. Married Serena Livingston May 1816.

Fought in the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811; promoted to captain March 12, 1812. Served as aide-de-camp to William Henry Harrison; promoted to major March 30, 1813. In August 1814 he conducted the defense of Fort Stephenson and was later breveted lieutenant colonel. He resigned from the Army in 1817. Served as postmaster in New Orleans in 1824. He served in the Army again in Mexico and the battle of Monterey.

Croghan was honored by Congress with a gold medal (Julian MI-12) for the defense of Fort Stephenson. Dies were by Moritz Furst. The medal was not struck until 1837. The Mint sold modern copies (USM 420).

He died in New Orleans. legal ref: Resolution of February 13, 1835, 4 Stat. 792

bio: ApCAB; DAB; Drake; Failor; Loubat; NCAB 4; TCBDA; WWWA-H