Crum, Eben Ross MAGA © 2000-2014
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1915

Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.

Page 872

CRUM, EBEN R. - In the promoting of the agricultural 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 agricultural opportunities to the best advantage and of bringing about 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 stock raising 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. The 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 1908. 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 Spokane, Wash.; Mary (Mrs. William DeLapp), of Pasadena, Cal.; Obed, of Britton, Okla.; Eben Ross, of Cass County, and Thomas, of Cedaredge, Colo.

Eben Ross Crum attended the district schools of his neighborhood in his youth and was afterwards 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 addition 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, 1881, 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.


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