USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 50
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After the death of James Crawford his widow remained on the home farm until 1910, when she purchased the residence in Virginia, Ill., which she has since occupied. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford had the following children: Fannie, who lives at home, William, of New London, Iowa; James, of Virginia, Ill .; Henry C., who died in infancy ; Margaret, who is engaged in educational work and lives with her mother; Thomas E., who died in infancy, and Floy, who is also engaged in educational work, dwells under the home roof. The family is greatly respected wherever known. All are members of the Presbyterian church.
Politically, James Crawford supported the principles of the Democratic party, although not active in partisan campaigns. Throughout his long and useful career he was considered the very ideal of honor, and his memory is revered by all who knew him.
CRAWFORD, James .- A representative of the progressive and enterprising agricultural ele- ment of Cass County, James Crawford has met with well deserved success in his ventures, and has brought himself to a position of prominence through consecutive effort and steadfast appli- cation to the vocation which he has made his life work. Still in the prime of life, with his best years before him, he has achieved a suc- cess which many men would consider accept- able after a lifetime of labor, and while his private interests have been large, he has still found the time and the inclination to contribute to the advancement of his community. Mr. Crawford was born on a farm two miles south of Virginia, Ill., October 29, 1872, and is a son of James and Jane (Elliott) Crawford, the former a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and the latter of Cass County, Ill.
James Crawford was given good educational advantages in his youth, attending the public schools and the Virginia High school, and was reared in the atmosphere of the farm, which decided him in his choice of a career. He re- mained under the parental roof until his mar- riage. September 11, 1894, to Miss Emma Funk, of Monroe Precinct. Cass County, daughter of Conrad and Fredericka (Stoner) Funk. she being a native of Texas. After his marriage Mr. Crawford moved to his 120-acre farm located one mile south of Virginia, and there resided until 1895, when he erected a fine residence at Grand Villa, and in addition built barns and
structures for the shelter of his equipment, machinery and stock. He now has sixty acres in his home farm, thirty-five acres in an ad- joining tract and 125 acres one mile west of Cass Siding, and cultivates all of this land, rais- ing corn, wheat and oats, and being a large breeder of cattle and blooded horses. His ven- tures have proved very successful, and he is justly accounted one of the substantial men of his community. A Democrat in politics, he has served capably as road commissioner for three years, and has at all times endeavored to ad- vance the best interests of his place of residence. Mrs. Crawford is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford : Reta, who resides at home ; and Gean, who died at the age of two and one-half years.
CRUM, David Marion .- Among the prominent residents of township 17, range 10, in Cass County, Ill., no one is more deserving of credit- able mention than the well known farmer whose name constitutes the caption of the following biographical narrative. He and his estimable family have been long known among the people of this vicinity, and its head is looked upon as one of the prime movers in all that pertains to the welfare of the community. The title to the land which he cultivates has been for more than two generations in the Crum name and the pres- ent owner has worthily upheld the traditions of an honorable ancestry.
David Marion Crum was born in Arenzville Precinct, December 25. 1853, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Robinson) Crum, natives of the state of Indiana. The grandfather on the paternal side, also of Indiana, was Mathias Crum. Christian Crum and his wife located, when young, in Cass County, where their mar- riage took place, after which they settled in Arenzville Precinct, where Christian Crum owned a large tract of land which he had entered from the government, and he also had considerable land in Virginia Precinct, and raised and fed stock on a large scale. Chris- tian Crum died in 1SSO, his widow passing away in March, 1881. The children of Christian and Mary Crum were as follows: John W., who died in, 1886: James Robert, of Bedford, Iowa: Wil- liam W., who died December 22. 1912; Mary Ellen (Mrs. Samuel W. Dunwiddie). of Liter- berry. Morgan County. Ill., Martha Ann. (Mrs. Stephen D. Epler), of Pleasant Plains, Sanga- mon County, Ill .; Cyrus N., of St. Louis, Mo., David M., of Cass County ; and George A., of Oklahoma.
David M. Crum lived with his parents until his marriage. on November 24. 1875. to Henrietta B. Payne, who was born in Harrisonville, Mo., a daughter of William B. and Elizabeth ( Alen- dar) Payne. who were natives of Lexington, Kentucky, After he was married, David Crum moved to township 17. range 10. Cass County. where he owns a farm of 140 acres, which was then but partly improved. He now has a fine farm. All the present buildings on this farm
872
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
were erected by him, including a frame house of eight rooms, a barn, and four other build- ings used for tools and grain, He has carried on general farming and stockraising since put- ting the place in first class order.
The primary education of Mr. Crum was ob- tained in the public schools, and later he attended the State Normal School at Normal, Ill., and Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Crum have had the following chil- dren namely : Bessey Lee (Mrs. D. A. Piatt), of Birmingham, Ala. ; Vida V., at home ; Mabel B. (Mrs. John Boden), of St. Paul, Minn .; and David Christian, who died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Crum is a Democrat and served from 1894 to 189S as deputy assessor, and since 1906 has served continuously in the same office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lodge No. 544, A. F. and A. M., of Vir- ginia, Ill.
CRUM, Eben R .- In the promoting of the agri- cultural prosperity of Cass County, Ill., and especially of that portion of the county in which the town of Virginia is located, various members of the well known Crum family are entitled to a good share of the credit. Some of them were early settlers in this section of the state, and are noted as having used their agri- cultural opportunities to the best advantage and of bringing about the most satisfactory results in farming enterprises that intelligence, energy and thrift are capable of producing. Their names are identified with extensive operations in land cultivation and stockraising and are held in honored remembrance as among those public benefactors who have given the county its present enviable status.
Of the younger generation of this family Eben Ross Crum. who has always lived on the farm which was his birthplace, is not the least worthy of creditable mention. This farm lies in township 17, range 10 W., Cass County, Ill., where his life began October 9, 1879. He is a son of Thomas J. and Sarah A. (Henderson) Crum, natives of Morgan County, Ill., the mother being born in the vicinity of Arcadia. The paternal grandparents were James and Christina (Ream) Crum, and the maternal, who were natives of Ohio, were William and Lucinda (Turner) Henderson, all of whom were early settlers of western Illinois. Thomas J. Crum was the owner of a farm of 520 acres in Cass County, which was his home until 190S. In that year, he moved to Virginia, Ill., where he passed away June 30. 1911. His widow is still living in Virginia. The living children are named: Charles E., of Mckenzie, N. Dak. : Theresa (Mrs. Edward Summers). of Colorado Springs, Colo. : Oscar. of Virginia, Ill. ; William, of Ohio: Ollie (Mrs. Frank Strong). of Spo- kane. Wash. ; Mary (Mrs. William DeLapp), of Pasadena, Cal .; Obed, of Britton. Okla .: Eben Ross, of Cass County, and Thomas, of Cedar- edge. Colo.
Eben Ross Crum attended the district schools
of his neighborhood in his youth and was after- wards a pupil in the Jacksonville High school. On reaching maturity he applied himself to the cultivation of 158 acres of the homestead, which he had bought and on this has continued to carry on general farming successfully, In addi- tion to this he is engaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs.
On July 29, 1903, Mr. Crum was united in marriage with Arizona Downs, who was born in Schuyler County, Ill., April 12, 1SS1, and is a daughter of John and Elvira (Lawler) Downs, natives of Illinois, who are now living with Mr. and Mrs. Crum. Mr. and Mrs. Crum have the following children, viz. : Marguerite Esther, Eben Jefferson, and Susan Abigail. In politics he acts with the Democratic party, and has rendered efficient public service as a school director. He is looked upon as one of the best farmers and one of the most substantial and reliable members of the community.
CRUM, Marquis L., president of the Petefish- Skiles Bank, of Virginia, and formerly one of the heaviest landowners of Cass County, is one of the substantial men of his community. He was born in the south central part of Cass County, Ill., January 16, 1851. a son of James and Christina (Ream) Crum, the former of whom came to Cass County in the spring of 1830. from Clark County, Ind. Here he took up 160 acres of government land and made it his home until his death in 1899. when aged ninety-three years. His wife died in 187S, aged sixty-four years, and both are interred in the family lot in Greenwood cemetery at Union church. Their family consisted of twelve chil- dren : David M., Thomas J., and James F., all of whom are deceased ; Sarah M., who is Mrs. J. F. Wilson of Tallula, Ill. ; Mary E., who is deceased, married W. Howard Thompson ; John M., who lives at Newton, Kans. ; William M., who is deceased; Amanda C., who is of Okla- homa, married W. Henry Thomson ; George W., who lives in Cass County ; Marquis L .: Charles P., who was killed in a railroad accident : and Oscar M., who is deceased. The father of these children was a member of the Methodist church. His homestead of 160 acres is now owned by his grandson, Arthur E., son of Marquis L. Crum.
Marquis L. Crum was educated in the schools of Cass County, and at the Wesleyan Univer- sity. Brought up on the farm, he learned farm- ing, and for many years followed an agricul- tural life. At one time he owned 1,600 acres of land. and still has farming interests, although he has divided much of his property among his children. On September 25, 1913, he was elected president of the Petefislı-Skiles Bank, of Vir- ginia, and still holds that office, his name giv- ing the institution added stability.
On March 30. 1875, Mr. Crum married Frances Stubblefield, who was born September 17, 1853. a daughter of John and Ellisannah ( Houser) Stubblefield, and four children were born to them. as follows: Edith, who married
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CRUM, Marquis L., president of the Truthch- Sil- Bank of Virgin, and formerly on it hej .. Iminsters of Dass County, is on of the sub-rural med of his community. He was born in the south central part of t'as- und Christina than Orum, the former of pon gue to tes county in the spring of 130, fred Clark (ou. 19. Her I took if you. tes of prominent land and male i Lis E me hofa Mis deitt in 1509, when aged ninety Three sens His wife d'ed it IS ared Servefon . Jeers, and Loth ne intered in the anifoot in the lword . merry at Union chard. 'Ip ir family consisted of twelve chil- Tren David M .. Thomas J., and Jannes F., and of whom are deceased : Sarah M., who is Mi- J. I. When et Talula. Il .: Mary E. who i ducesa married W. Hayar Thompson ; John M. who live at Newton, Kaus ; Willin M.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Lee Skiles, and they have two children, Helen and Marquis O .; Arthur E., who married Nina G. Swope, and they have two children, Mary F. and Josephine; Oral, who was accidentally killed by a fall at San Francisco, Cal., on June 23, 1912, when thirty years old; and Rena, who married Harry W. Sinclair, and they have one son, Marqnis C. While he takes a public-spir- ited interest in local affairs, Mr. Crum has never entered the political arena.
CRUM, Reuel G .- When William Marcellus and Mary E. (Graff) Crum, the parents of Reuel G. Crum, settled soon after their marriage, on the place where the latter now lives, the land was almost a wilderness. Of the S00 acres which was theirs, between 200 and 300 were covered with timber. All the buildings were put up by the father and all the other improvements were made by him, and he cleared all the timber land except fifty acres. He was one of the largest raisers of cattle, horses and hogs in Cass County, and also owned and operated 300 acres of land in Morgan County. He was a native of Cass County and his wife of Morgan County. William Marcellus Crum died April 1, 1905. The paternal grandparents were James and Christina (Ream) Crum, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter reared in Cass County, on this tarm. David Ream was the maternal grandfather. After the death of Wil- liam M. Crum, his widow lived on the home farm until February, 1910, when she married again.
Renel G. Crum was born on section 17, range 10, w., Cass County, 111., September 30, 187S, and in early youth received his educational training in the neighborhood schools, afterwards attending Jacksonville Academy and Illinois Col- lege. After his father's deatlı, he conducted half of the home farm for two years, or until the estate was divided, when he was awarded 250 acres, although he continued to operate his mother's land. The following were the other children : Alma C. (Mrs. Dr. C. M. Hubbard), deceased; Jessie F. (Mrs. George Phillips), of Spokane, Wash .; Amanda, deceased; Elton M., of Virginia, Ill. ; Luke, who married Anna Frei- tag : and Mary M. (Mrs. Howard Stribling), of Spokane, Wash. Renel Crum is engaged in rais- ing registered Percheron horses, mnles, and also black Angus cattle. He feeds cattle extensively and breeds Poland-China hogs. He owns 350 acres of land at Little Indian, in the same town- ship, and conducts operations altogether on 1150 acres. In Morgan Connty he also rents and operates 320 acres.
On February 1, 1911, Renel G. Crum was mar- ried to Lulu Woods, born June 11, 1885, in Fancy Creek Township, Sangamon County, Ill., a daugh- ter of Charles M. and Martha J. (Carpenter) Woods, the mother born in Sangamon County, and the father in Albemarle County, Va. The grandparents of Mrs. Crum are Sampson Lock- hart and M. H. Durrette Woods, natives of Vir- ginia ; and Samuel and Martha Jane (Short) Carpenter, born in Cass County, Ill. Mrs. Crum
attended the high school in Springfield, Ill., and the Betty Stuart Institute. Mr. Crum is a mem- ber of the Christian church while his wife is a Methodist. He has served as school director and is interested in general education. Frater- nally he is affiliated with the A. F. and A. M., of Virginia, Ill., and the B. P. O. E. No. 682 of Jack- sonville.
Reuel G. Crum is one of the most extensive and prosperous farmers in western Illinois, and one of the most intelligent and honorable mem- bers of the community in which he lives.
CRUM, Thomas Jefferson (deceased) .- The late Thomas Jefferson Crum, who, for many years was engaged in farming and stockraising in Cass County, was a man who exemplified in every step of his career the fact that honest effort, sturdy industry and well-directed man- agement conduce to ultimate success. He worked long and faithfully, but his rewards were commensurate with his labors, and he was successful not only in a material way, but in winning the respect and esteem of those among whom he lived so long. A native of Cass County, Mr. Crum was born July 9, 1835, and was a son of James and Christina (Ream) Crum. His father was born September 22, 1806, in Clark County, Ind., a son of Matthias and Margaret (Spangler) Crum, natives of Mont- gomery County, Va. James Crum came to Cass County in 1830 and settled near Arenzville, being followed by his parents during the next year, and there they died. James Crum was mar- ried Jannary 31, 1833, to Christina Ream, who died May 1, 187S. His second marriage was to Mrs. Eliza Beam, whose husband had met a soldier's death during the Civil war.
Thomas Jefferson Crum was reared on the home farm, and during the short winter terms secured some educational training in subscrip- tion schools. He was married March 11, 1857, to Sarah A. Henderson, who was born in Mor- gan County, Ill., May 7, 1840, daughter of Wil- liam and Lucinda (Turner) Henderson, natives of Ohio. They were early settlers of Morgan County, Ill., where they were married, and where Mrs. Henderson died. Mr. Henderson subsequently married Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, and moved to Henry County, Ill., and there passed away in 1874.
After his marriage Mr. Crum moved to a farm near his old homestead, and there con- tinued to reside for many years, constantly add- ing to his holdings nntil he had accumulated 550 acres of land. a large part of which was in timber. Hle carried on general farming. in which he was very successful, and was also known as one of the leading raisers of cattle, logs. horses and sheep in this part of the county. Mr. Crum retired from the activities of life in November. 1910, at which time he moved to Virginia, and there resided with his wife and son Oscar, until his death, June 30, 1911. His life record is one that is worthy of a place among the representative men of this part of the state, and he is still remembered as one of
874
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
the helpful, useful and honorable men of Cass County. He held large interests in the Cen- temmial Bank, of Virginia, of which he served as vice president, and had other extensive hold- ings. Ilis religious faith was that of the Protes- tant Methodist church, and his political belief that of the Democratic party. Mr. Crum for a number of years was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was valued by his fellow members.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crum, namely : Charles E., a resident of North Dakota ; Theresa M., who married E. D. Sum- mers, of Colorado Springs, Colo .; Oscar M., who resides with his mother at Virginia ; William MI., of Hilton, Ohio; Ollie E., who married Frank Strong, of Spokane, Wash. ; Mary L., who married William Delapp, of Pasadena, Cal .; Henry O., of Britton, Okla. ; Eben R., residing on the home farm; Cecil and Cecelia, twins, who died on the day of their birth ; and Thomas Austin, a resident of Cedaredge, Colo.
CRUM, William W. (deceased), for many years was a highly respected man and successful agri- culturist of Cass County. He was born in this county, January 1, 1839, a son of Christian and Mary (Robertson) Crum, and died on his farm in township 17, range 9, on December 23, 1912, and was buried in Yatesville cemetery in Mor- gan County. Christian Crum was born in Ken- tucky and left there on account of the outrages of the Indians, and went to Indiana, but in 1831 came to Morgan County, Ill. He was there married to Mary Robertson, who was a native of Indiana. After marriage they settled a few miles distant from Virginia, Ill., it being Mr. Crum's intention to engage in chopping wood in the timber, during the winter, but his plans were frustrated as that was the winter made notable by the "big snow." so much snow fall- ing that the people could do little but remain at home. On the original homestead Christian Crum and his wife passed the rest of their lives and reared a family of eight children.
William W. Crum was the third born in his parents' family and lived at home until his mar- riage. in the meanwhile, during the winter months. attending the Union district school. Following marriage he settled on a farm in township 17. range 9, having 314 acres in Cass County, and 108 acres in Morgan County. the farm buildings standing on the latter tract, which. when he located there, was covered with timber. At present it is all cleared and under cultivation, except fifteen acres. 'Mr. Crum made improvements and thereby increased the value of his land many fold. He devoted him- self to general farming and stock raising. cach year turning ont many horses, cattle and hogs. He conducted his affairs along practical, com- mon sense lines and was successful.
On February 5, 1862. Mr. Crum was married by Rev. John Dale of Virginia, to Miss Anna Mary Clark, who was born in Cass County, Ill., April 4, 1843, and is a daughter of John and Martha (Bane) Clark, and a granddaughter of
Lawrence Clark. The grandfather came to Cass County about 1834 and was one of the early surveyors. His brother-in-law, William Clark, settled in Cass County early in 1820. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crum: Laura and Frank. both of whom are deceased ; Lillian, now Mrs. William Cleary, of Morgan County. has three children, Anna. Crum and Lillian : Edward and Mary, both of whom are deccased : Martha, now Mrs. George E. Coudy, of Granite City, Ill., has had three children, Martha Ann, living, Elizabeth, de- ceased, and George W .; Bertha, who resides at home : Edwin and Edgar, twins, both of whom are deceased ; Edna, now Mrs. George Witt- linger. of Menard County, Ill., had one son, Michael C .. deceased ; Edith and Alma, both of whom reside at home; and John, who is de- ceased. Mr. Crum was a Democrat in politics. Since his death Mrs. Crum has managed the farm industries and has proved to be a capable business woman. She is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
CUNNINGHAM, Archibald .- Among the intelli- gent and industrious farmers and stockraisers who have made Cass County favorably and widely known for the enterprise and good judg- ment manifested in the conduct of its agricul- tural operations, is Archibald Cunningham. whose parents were among the early settlers of this part of the country. They also were farming people, having come from Edinburgh, Scotland. when very young, and started out to improve their fortunes in western Illinois. They were Thomas and Euphemia ( Wilkie) Cunningham, who, emigrating with their respective families as children, located in Cass County, grew up to mature age. were married. and settled down to farm life along the edge of a timber tract. at the northwest corner of township 17, range 9. This they subsequently sold, and moving to township 18. range 9. bought an eighty-acre farm, where the father died December 1. 1900, and the mother passed away in the city of Vir- ginia. where she had made her home. January 20. 1914. The children of Thomas and Euphemia Cunningham were as follows: Ellen (Mrs. Alex- ander Newman). of Cass County : Jennie (MIrs. Link Mathew), also of Cass County : Effie (Mrs. Albert Bell). of Clarence. Shelby County, Mo .; and Archibald.
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