ABRAM A. CRUM is one of the most liberal and public spirited citizens of Morgan County, who has been an important factor in bringing about its present prosperity as a great agricultural centre, and who is always active in promoting its highest interests. He is one of the most extensive and most successful of the farmers and stock raisers of this part of Illinois, and his large farm, embracing 600 acres in township 16, range 10, on sections 12 and 13 of the choicest and most fertile land in all this region, is under the highest cultivation, well fenced and divided into fields, capable of yielding extraordinary harvests. It has a substantial, well-built set of frame buildings, with other valuable improvements, and everything about the place betokens a skillful hand and master mind directing affairs.

The father of our subject, Mathias Crum, was born in Virginia, and when a young man he removed to Louisville, Ky., where he married Miss Margaret Spangler. Her father was an early settler of Kentucky, and was killed by the Indians on the present site of Louisville, and that place was the birthplace of his daughter. Soon after marriage, Mr. Crum removed with his young wife to near Albany, Ind., where they eliminated a farm from the primeval forests of that section of the country, and in their pioneer home their fifteen children were born, three of whom died quite young, the others growing to maturity, and six of them still surviving. In the year 1831 the parents of our subject became early settlers of this county, locating on a tract of wild prairie, where the father entered 160 acres of land, and here they spent their remaining days, the father dying March 8, 1841, and the mother April 22, 1852. During his residence here he was very much prospered, and became the owner of 400 acres of fine farming land which is now in the possession of his sons, with the exception of 120 acres. He was a shrewd, far seeing man, who stood well with his fellow pioneers and his death was a blow to the interests of his community, as it removed a wide awake citizen who was doing much for the development of the township and county. He was descended from sturdy German stock, and his parents, who were natives of Germany, came to America in colonial times, and had a son who served in the Continental army during the last year of the War of the Revolution. The maternal grandparents of our subject were also natives of Germany, but they were married after coming to this country, their wedding taking place in Kentucky. The grandfather had learned the trade of a blacksmith in the old country.

He of whom we write was very young when he accompanied his parents to this county, and here he was reared to man's estate on his present farm, growing with the growth of the country. When he first began farming on his own account the country roundabout was still thinly settled, and the markets were far distant, and he used to have to sell his hogs and farm products at St. Louis or at Beardstown. We have alluded to his property in the opening lines of this sketch, and the brief limitations of this biographical review forbids us tracing the steps by which he attained his present high position as a wealthy, influential farmer, whose word is as good as his bond, and whose honesty and honor have been preserved unsullied through all the year since he commenced life on his own account. In his busy career he has found time to materially aid all schemes for the public good, and his hand and influence are felt in every plan that is pushed forward for the benefit and advancement of the township and county. He is a whole souled, high minded man and his warm, generous heart beats responsive to the calls of the weak and helpless for assistance, and he is never unmindful of the sufferings of the poor. He also contributes liberally to the support of the churches and other public institutions worthy of his attention.

Mr. Crum is blessed with a good wife, who is also kind anc charitable, and cooperates with him in his benevolence. They were united in marriage in January, 1853, and of the children that have been born in their pleasant home, two survive, Lydia Ellen and Albert, the latter living in this township. Lydia married Hiram B. Baxter, and they live near Ashland. Mr. Baxter was a brave and faithful soldier in the late war, serving three years, and was wounded several times. Mrs. Crum's maiden name was Sarah Buchanan, and she is a daughter of one Thomas Buchanan, a pioneer of Morgan County, who came here from his old home in Kentucky in 1838, or thereabouts. She is a devoted member of the Christian Church, and her daily life is evidence of her earnest Christianity. Mr. Crum is deeply interested in the political situation of the day, and is at heart a true Republican, always giving that party his cordial support.