Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 158

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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Dr. E. L. Crouch, as a boy, was reared on his father's farm, and, after attending the dis- trict school, began the study of medicine in the Missouri Medical College (now Washington University), St. Louis, and graduated therefrom in 1891. During the same year he engaged in general practice in Mt. Vernon, Ill., continuing therein until 1897. In May of the latter year he was appointed to the position of Second As- sistant Physician on the East Side at the Jack- sonville Hospital for the Insane, later (1901) became Physician for the State Penitentiary at Chester, Ill., and in June, 1902, returned to Jacksonville and assumed his present position.

Dr. Crouch was married June 23, 1893, to Mary Hawkins, daughter of Joel Hawkins, of Jefferson County, Ill., who was one of the early settlers of that part of the State. He and his wife have one son, Joel Elmer, born December 3, 1899. In 1895 and 1896 Dr. Crouch pursued special post-graduate courses, and is a mem- ber of several medical societies, such as the

State Medical Association, Morgan County Med- ical Society, Southern Illinois Association and the Western District Medical Association of Jacksonville. He is a member of the Baptist Church and fraternally, a Mason.

CRUM, Albert, one of the foremost farmers of Morgan County, Ill., and one of its most worthy citizens, was born August 30, 1858, on his father's homestead near Literberry, in the county named. He is a son of Abram A. Crum, who was among the pioneer settlers of the county, and one of its most prominent and wealthy men. Abram A. Crum was born in Clark County, Ind., September 22, 1823. The paternal grandfather, Matthias Crum, was born and reared in Virginia, and when a young man taught school in Louisville, Ky. He was mar- ried to Margaret Spangler, who was born in Louisville when that city was merely a military post, her father, David Spangler, being killed there by the Indians. He was the owner of 1,000 acres of land where the city now stands. After his marriage Matthias Crum moved across the Ohio River to Clark County, Ind., and set- tled on a farm. He was fond of outdoor sports and was a noted hunter. In September, 1831, he brought his family by team to Morgan County, where he purchased 160 acres of land at $1.25 per acre. He bought the tract of Wil- liam Babb, who entered it as government land, and on this farm, which is now owned and occupied by his son, John W. Crum, Matthias Crum passed away in 1841. His widow died in 1852. On the place, at the time of the grand- father's purchase, stood a small, round log cabin. Besides the Babb claim, he purchased an additional 240 acres. Matthias Crum and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: William, who died when about eighty years old, in Clark County, Ind .; Christian, who died in Cass County, Ill., at about the same age; Polly, who married Leander Cobb, and died at the age of seventy years; James, who died when ninety-three years old in Cass County; David, who died in Missouri; Joseph, who died when about eighty years of age, at Paxton, Ill .; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Lewis O'Neil and died at the age of seventy-two years; Re- becca, who died when three years old; Isaac, who lives in Des Moines, Ia .; Samuel, who went to California in 1849; Abram A .; John W., a

S.W. Nichols.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

review of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume; and twins, who died unnamed. Samuel returned from California to Morgan County, but again located in that State to engage in prospecting and mining. He was noted as a successful hunter.

Abram A. Crum was eight years old when he came to Morgan County. He attended the prim- itive subscription schools of that period con- ducted in log school houses, his first teacher being Mary A. Rucker. When he was in his eighteenth year his father died, and he and his brother, John W., operated the farm and re- mained with their mother. She was a midwife, and it was customary for her to be absent from home for weeks at a time. In accordance with the request of their father before his death, Abram A. and John W. bought the interests of the other heirs of the paternal estate, conduct- ing the farm together until they divided the property in 1863. They were engaged in stock- raising on quite an extensive scale. Abram A. Crum was a very successful man. He was one of the first depositors in the old Ayers Bank- if not the very first. On the event of the mar- riage of his only daughter, he made her a pres- ent of land worth about $30,000. She became the wife of H. B. Baxter, then residing in the vicinity of Literberry, and a record of whose life may be found in another portion of this volume. Mr. Crum was equally generous with his only son, Albert, when the latter started in life for himself. Abram A. Crum was one of the most extensive landholders in Morgan County. On January 13, 1853, he was married to Sarah Buchanan, who was born January 18, 1834. Three children resulted from this union, namely: An infant, who died unnamed; Lydia Ellen, wife of H. B. Baxter; and Albert. In politics, their father was a strong and influen- tlal Republican.

Albert Crum was born and reared on the homestead farm. In boyhood he attended the common schools and afterward pursued a course at the Jacksonville Business College. On com- pleting his commercial studies he engaged In business with his father. In 1SS3, he moved to his present farm, on which he has made all the Improvements. He has developed it into one of the finest farms in Morgan County, owning in all $40 acres of as productive land as can be found in the State. He is engaged in raising standard-bred horses on what is widely known

as the "Wayside Farm," in partnership with his cousin, William H. Crum. and James W. Crum. They exhibited some of their horses at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, at St. Louis. in 1904, and at the State Fair, receiving eleven prizes amounting to $1,000, which sum fell mnuch short of the expenses of their exhibit. Mr. Crum is also a breeder and raiser of thor- oughbred Poland-China hogs and other stock, and conducts general farming operations. He is also one of the stockholders and Directors in Ayers' Bank of Jacksonville. His home is lo- cated two miles east of Literberry.

On December 6, 1882, Mr. Crum was united in marriage with Sally B. Murray, who was born in the vicinity of Literberry. Mention of the Murray family is made in connection with the sketch of H. R. Johnson. of Jacksonville, who, after the death of Mrs. Crum's father, married his widow.

In politics Mr. Crum is an earnest Republican. He and his wife are active members of the Christian Church. Both are very liberal in their contributions to church work and benevolent and charitable institutions. The impulse and purpose of their lives manifestly tend toward the accomplishment of all possible good with the ample means with which fortune has fa- vored them. Finally, Mr. Crum is one of the most extensive and successful farmers of Mor- gan County, his business qualities are of a su- perior order, and as a nian, his life has been dominated by strict rectitude and marked by broad beneficence.

CRUM, John W., one of the early settlers of Morgan County, and, for a long period, one of its most successful and influential citizens, was born in Clark County, Ind., December 25, 1825. He is a son of Matthias and Margaret (Spangler) Crum, natives, respectively, of Vir- ginia and Kentucky. When a young man, Mat- thias Crum located at Louisville, Ky., where he was engaged in teaching school. There he was united in marriage with Margaret Spangler, who was born in Louisville, when the city was only a frontier military post. David Spangler, her father, lost his life at the hands of hostile Indians, being the owner of 1,000 acres of land on the site of Louisville. Sometime after his marriage, he moved to the opposite side of the Ohio River, in Clark County. Ind., and bought 100 acres of land. He was much inclined to out-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

door sports, and was an ardent hunter. He cleared his 100-acre tract of timber and there carried on farming until 1831, when he moved to Morgan County, Ill., and purchased from William Babb a claim to 160 acres of Govern- ment land at $1.25 per acre. This farm is now owned and occupied by his son, John W. On it then stood a round log cabin, which the fa- ther used as a dwelling. He bought also 240 acres, besides the Babb claim, and died on this farm in 1841. Matthias Crum was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his wife, who died in 1872, was also identified. Their children were as follows: William, Christian, Polly, James, David, Gordon, Joseph, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Isaac, Samuel H., A. A., John W., and twins, who died unnamed. William was about eighty years old; Christian died at about the same age in Cass County, Ill., where James also died, aged ninety-three years; Polly, who was the wife of Leander Cobb, passed away when seventy years old; David died in Missouri; Joseph died when about eighty years old, in Paxton, Ill .; Elizabeth, wife of Lewis O'Neil, died at the age of seventy- two years; Rebecca was three years old when she died; Isaac lives at Des Moines, Ia .; Sam- uel, who went to California in 1849, returned to Morgan County, and subsequently made an- other trip to California, where he was occupied in prospecting and mining and was known as an inveterate hunter.

John W. Crum was in his sixth year when he came to Morgan County, and attended a sub- scription school, at first taught by Mary A. Rucker in a log school house. He was fifteen years old when his father died, and it was the latter's ante-mortem request that as soon as legally possible, he and his brother, A. A., should purchase the interests of the other heirs to the homestead. The paternal desire was fulfilled in time, and the brothers jointly con- ducted the farm, subsequently making an equit- able division of the property, which consisted of more than 1,000 acres of land, devoted to general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Crum now owns about 580 acres of land, on which he has made all the convenient and attractive improvements.

Mr. Crum has been thrice married. His first wife was Mary A. Coons, to whom he was wed- ded February 14, 1850. Their union resulted in the following children: Samuel H., an agri-

culturist living in the vicinity of his father's farm; Matthias M., who lives in the same neigh- borhood; William H .; James Alvin, who re- sides in St. Louis; Charles W., of Jacksonville; and one who died in infancy. The mother of this family died in 1877. In 1879 Mr. Crum was married to Mrs. Frances D. Eades, widow of Horatio Eades, and a daughter of William Orear. She died in 1889, and, on November 22, 1905, Mr. Crum was united in marriage with Mrs. Celia Cruse, widow of Thomas Cruse. The present Mrs. Crum is a daughter of Henry Humphrey, familiarly known as "Father Humphrey" about Jacksonville, where he locat- ed prior to the Civil War. He had charge of the conservatory of the Asylum for the Insane . in Jacksonville.

In politics, Mr. Crum is a firm Republican, and has creditably filled various local offices. Religiously, Mr. Crum is connected with the Baptist denomination, while his wife is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. Both are active in religious work, and Mr. Crum Is very liberal in his contributions toward the propagation of Christian doctrine and the promotion of char- itable enterprises. He is, in all respects, a rep- resentative of the best element in American agriculture, and a public spirited and exem- plary citizen.

CRUM, William H., a well known resident of the vicinity of Literberry, Morgan County, Ill., who is successfully engaged in the breeding of high-grade horses, was born on his father's farm near that place March 15, 1855. He is a son of John W. Crum, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. When a boy William H. Crum attended the district schools in his neighborhood, and afterward pursued a three years' course of study in the Illinois Wes- leyan University. Subsequently he entered Brown's Business College, where, at the age of twenty years, he acquired a thorough mercantile training. Two years later he assumed charge of his father's extensive farm, and was engaged in stock-raising and the breeding of Percheron and standard road horses until 1897, when he moved to his present farm.

In 1901, Mr. Crum formed a partnership with his cousin, Albert Crum, in the same line of business, under the firm name of Crum & Crum. At the St. Louis Exposition in 1904, they were awarded eleven prizes on their exhibits, aggre-

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gating about $1,000. Mr. Crum has also been a breeder of fine Berkshire hogs for about twenty years. In this enterprise, J. W. Liter and J. L. Campbell are associated with him, and the concern is known as the Morgan County Berkshire Association. Its transactions are of considerable magnitude, and it is widely and favorably known for the quality of its product.

On October 22, 1895, Mr. Crum was united in marriage with Martha Gilpin, and their un- ion has resulted in two children-Wilma, aged seven years, and Alta, two months. Politically, Mr. Crum is a supporter of the Republican party, and has creditably filled several town- ship offices. He is a man of sound judgment and excellent business qualifications, and com- mands general confidence by reason of these qualities and the absolute integrity of his char- acter.

DAUB, John M., dairyman and farmer within the city limits in the northern part of Jackson- ville, was born in Butler County, Ohio, Decem- ber 12, 1842, the son of Conrad and Catherine (Pfiel) Daub. His parents were both natives of Germany, the father being born in Hesse- Darmstadt, and emigrated from their native land to America in 1836. Conrad Danb had learned the trade of a cabinet-maker in the fatherland, and followed this trade for many years in Ohio, but later moved to the vicinity of Concord, Morgan County, Ill., where he en- gaged in farming. They had three children: Jasper, now a resident of Oklahoma; Mary Margaret, wife of Herman Lippert, a farmer of Morgan County; and John M. Conrad Daub continued to be engaged in farming until his death in 1878, at the age of seventy-two years- his wife, who survived him over two years, dying in 1881.

John M. Daub was reared as a farmer and a dealer in cattle, attended the country schools and began an independent agricultural career in 1863. He was married December 7, 1865, to Caroline Hackman, born in Cass County, Ill., and a daughter of George and Mary (Mey- ers) Hackman, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Daub six children have been born, one of whom died in infancy, and a son, John Wesley, dying at the age of five years. Those living are: Anna Irene, Mary Luella, William Arthur and Zella Marie. Anna Irene married George McGregor,

and has one child, Pattie Irene. In 1888 Mrs. McGregor graduated from the musical depart- ment of the Woman's College, and is now en- gaged in teaching her specialty at Jacksonville. Mary Luella, who is the wife of H. C. Brice, studied music and voice culture in the Illinois College and is a dramatic soprano, singing in public under the name of Lucille De Alberto. She has further pursued her studies with Bara- bino in Chicago, witlı Madam Julia Tallia- fero at the Illinois Conservatory of Music. Wil- liam Arthur married Wilhelmina Sibert, of Jacksonville, and assists in his father's busi- ness. Zella Marie is single and makes her home with her parents, but is studying music at the Illinois Conservatory.

John M. Daub continued in the farming busi- ness and in 1872 moved to his present house in Jacksonville. In 1879 he engaged in the dairy line, in which he has been very successful. He employs strictly modern methods, keeps from 30 to 60 head of Jersey cows, separates his cream by machinery and has fifteen acres of land within the city limits, besides renting considerable acreage. He is a Democrat in his political views and is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

DAVIS, John Robert, President of the John R. Davis Baking Company and Mayor of the city of Jacksonville, was born in his home city, May 23, 1864, a son of John and Fannie (Bonner) Davis. In 1848 his father emigrated to the United States from Scotland, his native land, coming direct to Jacksonville, where he at once engaged in working at his trade, that of a shoe- maker. When the news of the discovery of gold in California reached the East, he joined a company of men bound for the new Eldorado and started overland with his family, traveling by ox-team via Council Bluffs. His family at this time consisted of his wife, who was a native of Ireland, and to whom he had been married in Jacksonville. Mr. Davis remained in California for five years, operating in the gold fields of that State with a fair measure of success. Re- turning home by way of Cape Horn in 1854, he devoted the remainder of his life to his trade in Jacksonville. His death occurred in 1901, and that of his wife in 1902. Mr. Davis was one of the most highly respected residents of the city, a man whom others delighted' to honor. A consistent member of the Centenary

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

M. E. Church, he served as Steward and Trus- tee of that society for many years. During his residence in California he was made a Mason, and upon his return to Jacksonville became a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M. He was also a member of Illini Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of seven children, as follows: John, Mary and Sarah, all deceased; Albert R., a member of the John R. Davis Baking Company; John R .; George P., who is connected with the Railway and Warehouse Commission, of Chi- cago; and Mary, wife of Edward Kinney, of Jacksonville.

John R. Davis received his education in the public schools of Jacksonville. At the age of seventeen years he began learning the baker's trade, and for three years was employed at that vocation. He was then appointed Baker's In- structor in the Illinois Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, resigning at the end of nine years, upon the election of John P. Altgeld to the Gov- ernorship. At that time he established himself in the bakery business at Jacksonville, an un- dertaking in which he has been rarely success- ful. Upon his election to the Mayoralty in 1900 he received his brother, Albert R., and his sis- ter, Mrs. Kinney, into partnership with him, or- ganizing the company which now operates the industry.

Always actively interested in affairs pertain- ing to the municipal welfare, in 1898 Mr. Davis entered the City Council as Alderman from the Second Ward, and at once became recognized as an earnest champion of much-needed city im- provements. In 1900 he became the nominee of the Republican party for the office of Mayor of Jacksonville, and was elected by the largest majority ever accorded a candidate for the office up to that time. For the first time in the history of the city an unwritten law regarding second terms was violated, when he was re- nominated for the office and reelected by a ma- jority of 400 votes greater than that accorded him at the first election. On this occasion his candidacy was upon a platform of continued public improvements, which had been inaugu- rated on an elaborate scale during his first term.

On April 18, 1905, he was reelected for a third term by a majority of 302, after one of the most bitter contests in the history of the municipali- ties of Illinois, in which a desperate effort was

made to effect his defeat. During his adminis- tration the city of Jacksonville has witnessed the greatest era of municipal advancement dur- ing its entire history. Through his efforts a satisfactory system of street cleaning has been inaugurated for the first time, and has proven entirely satisfactory. The work of street im- provement has included the paving of the fol- lowing streets: Hardin Avenue, East Street, Lafayette Avenue, Prospect Street, Grove Street, Park Street, Westminster Street, Cald- well Street, Pine Street, Court Street, South Church Street, Fayette Street, Clay Avenue, Morton Avenue and the Public Square. The work accomplished during the period from 1900 to 1905 has been greater than all that had been done up to that period. He was also instru- mental in enlisting the support of Samuel W. Nichols in the work of enhancing the public park system of the city, the direct result of which was the gift by Mr. Nichols of $10,000 for the new park on Morgan Lake, and a vote by the taxpayers for its perpetual care and main- tenance. He also was instrumental in securing further park improvements, including foun- tains, the pagoda in the Public Square and the steel arches on the four sides of the square. When first elected he advocated the policy of taking the city cemeteries out of politics and placing their control in the hands of a non- partisan commission, a policy to which the Council, at the request of the citizens, agreed. In 1904 he succeeded in organizing a complete police and fire patrol system, which, with the fire engine purchased during his administra- tion, gives the city a fine fire service. With John A. Ayers he enlisted the cooperation of eastern capital in the movement for a more adequate water supply, with the result that the Council has granted a franchise to Mackey & Gardiner, of New York, enabling them to insti- tute a new waterworks system, with the Illinois River as the source of supply. Though the pub- lic improvements noted have entailed an ex- pense upon the city greater than during any similar previous period, all accounts against the municipality have been promptly met at the beginning of each month, and the city is in better financial condition than at any other time for a quarter of a century.

An ardent Republican, Mayor Davis has been actively identified with the workings of his party since attaining manhood. For several

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

years he has been a member of the Morgan County Republican Central Committee, and since 1900 has been its Chairman. In 1900 he was Chairman of the Morgan County delega- tion to the Republican State Convention, and placed Richard Yates in nomination for the Governorship. Just prior to his second election to the Mayoralty, he received the nomination for the office of State Senator, but was defeated by a majority of 121, though the district ordi- narily was almost overwhelmingly Democratic.

Mr. Davis is prominently identified with the industrial and financial interests of Morgan County. He was one of the organizers of the Ayers National Bank, in which he is a director; was one of the organizers of the Whitehall Sewer Pipe and Stoneware Company, a corpora- tion whose plant is located at Whitehall, Ill., though controlled by Jacksonville capital; and is a Director in the Whitehall Railway Com- pany. He is also a Trustee and President of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Central Hospital for the Insane, and a Director of the Odd Fellows' Orphans' Home at Lincoln, Ill. In Grace Methodist Episcopal Church he serves as Steward. In his Masonic relations he is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., Jacksonville Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., Hos- pitaler Commandery, No. 31, K. T., and Mo- hanımed Temple, N. M. S., of Peoria, 111. In Odd Fellowship he is connected with Illini Lodge, No. 4, in which he is a past officer, and has been an officer in the Grand Lodge of that order for many years, having served as Grand Marshal for two terms. He is also a member of Jacksonville Lodge, No. 152, K. of P., in which he has been an officer, and of Jacksonville Camp, No. 912, M. W. A. He was married Jan- uary 1. 1890, to Esther Woodall, a native of England, and a daughter of John and Mary ( Hall) Woodall, who settled at Winchester, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of two daughters-Lillian, aged twelve, and Esther, aged seven.

Though a comparatively young man, Mr. Davis has become recognized as one of the lead- ers in the spirit of progress which has char- acterizcd Jacksonville during recent years. In fact, it should be stated that he is the father of the modern city, with its varied improve- ments. A successful business man, with a pred- ilection for public affairs, he has been able to accomplish a vast amount of good for the city

of his nativity, and in all his operations in this direction has given evidence of the possession of a most unselfish public spirit. So firmly has he become intrenched in the confidence and af- fcctions of fair-minded and discriminating citi- zens that it is commonly said that no public trust can be too high to be reposed in his hands with any feeling except that of perfect security

DAY, J. A., M. D., who is in active practice in the city of Jacksonville, with office rooms in the Morrison Building, West State Street, was born in Palmyra, Macoupin County, Ill., October 29, 1869, and is the son of Dr. W. C. Day and Letitia A. (Allmond) Day. His father, Dr. W. C. Day, who was born in Arkansas, was educated in medicine in St. Louis, and served from 1862 to the close of the Civil War as Assistant Sur- geon in the Federal Army. After the close of the war he settled in Palmyra, Ill., where he practiced his profession until 1874, when he removed with his family to Greenfield, then to Peoria, and in 1881 to Winchester, Scott County, where he resided and continued in practice until the fall of 1905, when he moved to White Hall, Ill., and on account of broken health retired from active practice. He stud- ied medicine under the well known Dr. John T. Hodgen, of St. Louis. Dr. W. C. Day is a mem- ber of the Western District Medical Society _ and of the Scott County Medical Society. His wife died in 1879, and in 1881 he married Bessie E. Harris, a teacher in the public schools of Greenfield, Ill., but a native of Shipman, Ill.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 158

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286