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CRAIG, Samuel C. Dr.
White Oak Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 715
Samuel C. Craig, physician and surgeon, was born March 2, 1850, in Harrison County, Indiana, and was the son of P. R. Craig, who was born March 3, 1806 in Virginia. He was in early life a cooper by occupation, but abandoned his trade for farming. After leaving his native state, he moved first to Ohio, while a young man, and then to Indiana, where he settled as an agriculturist. In 1827 he married Miss Elizabeth Hiestand, born in Pennsylvania in 1809. By this marriage they had seven children, four of whom are living, our subject being the youngest. He was early educated in the common schools of Iowa; but fixing upon the practice of medicine as his profession, at the age of nineteen he commenced attending a course of medical lectures at Ames, Story County, Iowa. His preceptor was James Bradley. In 1877 he came to Lucas, Henry County, Missouri, and commenced the practice of medicine, and since that time has remained there with a constantly increasing patronage. Dr. Craig was married March 8, 1877, to Miss Mary Shaw, of Ames, Iowa. They have one daughter, Winona Florence.
CRAMER, R. S.
Deer Creek Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 800
R. S. Cramer, a prominent business man of Lewis and the present postmaster of the place, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and was born at Fredericksburg September 24, 1854. His father, H. A. Cramer, originally from Pennsylvania, removed to Ohio with his parents and settled in Wayne County, where he was married to Miss Margaret Riddle. In 1854 the family located at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and were among the pioneer settlers of Webster County. R. S. Cramer grew to manhood in that county, receiving his primary education at the public school, supplemented with three years' attendance at the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa. After completing his studies he entered a store and clerked at Fort Dodge for about three years. He was married at that place December 19, 1875, to Miss J. A. Fleming, who was born in Pennsylvania and is a daughter of Thomas Fleming. About one year after his marriage Mr. Cramer removed to the Indian Territory, where he had charge of a store at McAlister for the Osage Coal Mining Company, remaining there two years. In the fall of 1877 he came to Lewis, Henry County, Missouri, purchased the stock and business of Thomas Terry, and has since continued in business at this point. He carries a complete and well assorted stock of general merchandise and is doing a good business. He had the misfortune to be burned out in September, 1882, but has since erected a good building, 24 x 60 feet. He was appointed postmaster at Lewis in September, 1877. He and his wife have four children: Rolla T., Floyd A., Jennie and Bessie. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
CRANDALL, B. F.
Windsor Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 565
B. F. Crandall was born at Crystal Lake, Illinois, May 25, 1838, and was the son of Beman Crandall, who was born near Hartford, Connecticut, in October, 1795, emigrating from his native state with his parents about the year 1801, and settling near Syracuse, New York. He married Miss Polly Tuttle, who was also born near Hartford about the year 1802, and she likewise went with her parents and settled near Syracuse. They were married about the year 1822, and had ten children, eight sons and two daughters, seven of whom are still living. The senior Crandall was among the early pioneers of Northern Illinois having moved to that state from New York about the year 1832, when he located in what is now McHenry County, at Crystal Lake, which town was founded by him. He was president of the Virginia settlement, an organization made up by the earliest settlers for their own government and protection, that portion of the state being unorganized at that time, which office he held until McHenry County was organized, when he was elected the first magistrate. This position he held successively for twenty-five years. Emigrating to Missouri in October, 1859, he settled in Saline County, where he resided for two years, when the civil war breaking out, he abandoned the farm and returned to Illinois, where he lost his wife in 1864. After the close of the war he again came to Missouri, and made his home with O. A. Crandall, Esq., of Sedalia. He is still residing in Missouri with his daughter, Mrs. William Parsons, at Blackburn, Saline County, and now at the ripe age of eighty-eight, is active in mind and body, and a fair specimen of the hardy American pioneer. B. F. CrandalI was the youngest of seven sons. He commenced his early education at Crystal Lake, Illinois, in an old log house, and at the age of seventeen left school with a fair English education. He came to Missouri with his father's family, and was engaged in farming and stock raising until 1862, when owing to the civil war, he discontinued it and engaged as a clerk in the commissary department under Captain J. E. Howard, chief commissary of the Central District of Missouri. In 1864, he went to Louisiana, and was interested in the culture of cotton for five years. In 1868, he returned to Missouri and commenced the study of law with Crandall & Sinnett, of Sedalia, Missouri, and after a thorough course he was admitted to the bar, practicing in all the courts of the state. Not suited with the profession he turned his attention to a mercantile life, in which business he embarked in 1871, and this he has steadily pursued. He is now in the employ of Albert Mayer & Bros., of Cincinnati, looking after their interests west of the Mississippi. In politics he is a Republican. He was married January 12, 1870, to Miss Jessie Hopkirk, of Windsor, Missouri. They had three children: Clarence H., Edward Oscar, and Nellie Josephine. The former two died in infancy. Nellie J. is now a bright little girl of six years. Walter Hopkirk, the father of Mrs. Crandall, was born February 18, 1821, in Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scotland. At the age of sixteen years he emerged from the schools with not only a good English education, but as a classical scholar. His father, William Hopkirk, a shoemaker by trade, was born December 25, 1780, and worked at his trade for the most of his life. His mother, whose maiden name was Isabella Home, was born in 1782 in Hornecliffe, England, being the last in the line of lineal descendants of the house of Home. They were married in 1804 and had eight children, four of whom are living. Both of his parents died in Scotland. Mr. Hopkirk emigrated from his native country to America in 1837. On arriving here he apprenticed himself to the cabinet trade, serving five years in Steubenville, Ohio He afterward worked at the same place as a journeyman for eight months and then went to Burlington, Iowa, where he worked as a journeyman for one year and six months. Next he removed to Bonaparte, on the Des Moines River, and was there established in business for eight years. December 25, 1858, he married Miss Mary E. Moffitt, of Lexington, Iowa. They had six children, five of whom are still living, two sons and three daughters. He remained at Bonaparte for three years after their marriage, when, in 1851, he joined a company, and, taking the overland route, went to California. He was engaged in mining for four years, when he returned to his family, who had accompanied his wife's father to Henry County, Missouri, where they bought landed property.
CRAWFORD, James K.
Deepwater Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 608
James K. Crawford, farmer and stock raiser, section 34, was born December 11, 1844, in Medina County, Ohio, being the son of William and Rebecca (Smith) Crawford, natives of Pennsylvania. The former moved to Ohio with his parents, who were among the pioneer settlers of Medina County. J. K. grew to manhood in his native county on the farm and received a good common school education. Coming west to Missouri in 1867, he located first in Bates County, where he lived for three years. He was married in Montrose September 15, 1870, to Miss Lucy May, of Kentucky birth, but who was reared and educated in Bureau County, Illinois, and is a daughter of Thaddeus May. After his marriage he bought land and improved the farm where he now resides. He first purchased 160 acres and afterward bought sixty acres adjoining this, now constituting a fine body of land, all enclosed with a good hedge. There are thirty acres devoted to tame grass. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have three children: William B., born June 24, 1871; Mary Belle, born September 5, 1874, and Jessie, born May 15, 1877. Mr. C. makes a specialty of raising, feeding and trading in stock.
CRESS, Leroy Linn Dr.
Clinton, Clinton Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 343
Dr. L. L. Cress, a well-known and successful veterinary surgeon of Clinton, Missouri, is a native of North Carolina. He was born at Salisbury March 9, 1878, and is a son of Adolphus and America (Cody) Cress, both natives of North Carolina, and now residents of Salisbury. The Cress family is of Holland descent, members of whom settled near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, probably about 1700. Many descendants of these early Pennsylvania pioneers are scattered throughout the East, including Ohio and Illinois. The great-grandfather of Doctor Cress went to North Carolina and the Southern members of the Cress family are descendants from him. Many members of the Cress family served in the Revolutionary War in Washington's army. Americas Cody, mother of Doctor Cress, comes from a long line of Southern ancestors who suffered severe losses during the Civil War. The late William F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill," was a cousin of Doctor Cress' mother. Doctor Cress was one of a family of ten children all of whom are now living. He received his early education in Rowan County, North Carolina in an old log school house near Salisbury. Doctor Cress is a young man but he has experienced the atmosphere of the log school house. His early life was spent on his father's farm and in 1898 he came to Missouri and located at Clinton. Here he was employed by a veterinary surgeon, and young Cress soon discovered that he had a liking for the profession of his employer and under the preceptorship of his employer began the study of veterinary surgery, and at the same time getting considerable actual practice. He was thus employed for eighteen months when he entered the Kansas City School of Veterinary Surgery and after studying there two years, entered the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, where he was graduated in the Class of 1904. He then returned to Clinton, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Doctor Cress has met with well-merited success in his chosen profession and is one of the capable veterinary surgeons of the State, and is recognized as such. In 1910, Doctor Cress was united in marriage with Miss Pearl Hawkins of Clinton. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Doctor Cress is a man who has read a great deal and traveled much He has been in the East, the West and the South, but as he expresses it himself, after he returned to Missouri from a trip, he feels like "jumping up and cracking his heels together, and saying that he is glad he's back home."
CREWS, Charles Floyd
Big Creek Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 811
Charles F. Crews, a progressive farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, who is farming 110 acres of land, is one of the leading farmers of this County. Mr. Crews is a native of Henry County and was born in 1882 at Windsor, Missouri. He is the son of Samuel P. and Clara (Snelling) Crews, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Samuel Crews was born in 1852 in Boone County, Missouri, and his wife is a native of Henry County. They are engaged in farming in Shawnee township. They have the following children: Darrell, Huntingdale, Missouri; Essie, the wife of Nathan Gilliam of Big Creek township; Charles F., the subject of this sketch; Snelling, farming in Shawnee township; and Raymond, of Big Creek township. Charles F. Crews received his education at Huntingdale schools, Huntingdale, Missouri, and since early manhood, he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is one of the successful farmers of Big Creek township. Mr. Crews was married May 9, 1906, to Martha McQuitty. She is a daughter of W. G. and Martha McQuitty, of whom extensive mention is made in this volume; see biographical sketches of George and William McQuitty. One daughter, Dorothy, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Crews. Mr. Crews is one of the substantial men of Henry County and comes of pioneer Missouri stock. He is public spirited and one of Henry county's foremost citizens.
CREWS, James W.
Clinton, Clinton Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 824
James W. Crews - The automobile business has increased by leaps and bounds in the past fifteen years and Mr. Crews, a member of the Clinton Auto Company, has been personally interested in the motors since their introduction in the county. The first automobile in Henry County was built by the Bragg Brothers of Clinton. It was a steam-propelled motor and a year or more after it was built it was purchased by Mr. Crews. He was the envy of all the men and the most looked for man throughout the county as he went by in the first "horse-less carriage." This machine was later exchanged for a one-cylinder Cadillac at Kansas City, Missouri. The second car owned at Clinton was a two-cylinder Oldsmobile, purchased by Garland Covington; the third one was a one-cylinder Cadillac owned by E. T. Montgomery; then a Ford, owned by Mr. Patterson, and a two-cylinder Buick by Dr. Marseilles came into the community at the same time. Thus has Mr. Crews seen the automobile evolve from a cumbersome slow, heavy-moving vehicle to a swiftly moving thing of beauty and an everyday necessity. James W. Crews was born at Huntingdale, Missouri, August 3, 1878, and is the son of Floyd and Mary (Freeman) Crews. The former was a native of Illinois who came to Huntingdale, Missouri, where he made his home for many years. His wife, Mary (Freeman) Crews, was born near Huntingdale, Missouri. She was laid to rest in 1900. They are the parents of nine children as follow: James W., with whom this sketch deals; Garrett Allen, of Kansas City, Kansas; Clyde, death occurred at sixteen years of age; Sallie, died at six years; Bessie died at seventeen years; Ruby and Ruble twins, deceased and Mary deceased. The early education of Mr. Crews was received in Huntingdale, Missouri, and Montrose, Missouri. For a good many years he was employed as an electrician and also dealt in music and pianos. In 1916 Mr. Crews was made a member of the Clinton Auto Company and has since confined his efforts to the automobile business. Claude Lingle is the senior member of the firm and they are located on North Washington street. At the beginning of their business relations they handled the Studebaker automobile, which they continue to handle and also the Chevrolet. The work rooms are fitted up for repair work and accessories of every sort for the automobile industry. The building is 50x120 feet on the west front and a building 50x90 feet in which they keep their new cars stored. The marriage of Mr. James Crews and Maude Eleanor Barnes of Golden City, Missouri, was solemnized May 5, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Crews are the parents of one son, Jule Garrett, who is at home with his parents. Mr. Crews is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Travelers Protective Association. He is a progressive business man and thoroughly alive to the best interests of his city and county.
CREWS, Samuel Perry
Shawnee Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 812
Samuel P. Crews, a well-known farmer and stockman, is a native Missourian. He was born in Boone County, Missouri, in 1852, a son of Erasmus and Elvira E. (Crosswhite) Crews, who were pioneers of that county. They came in the flush of youth to conquer the wilderness and convert its wild fertility to cultivated fields of wheat and corn. They moved to Windsor, Missouri in 1870 and later moved to Huntingdale, Missouri, where they spent the rest of their lives and are laid away in the Carrsville Cemetery. Four children, all of whom are living and successful in their several vocations, were born to them as follows: William, the first born, is in Reno, Nevada; Samuel P., the subject of this sketch; Floyd J., in Kansas City, Missouri; and Everett, resides in the State of Washington. Samuel Crews received his education in the public schools of Windsor, where his parents settled in 1870. In 1883, he purchased a farm of fifty-five acres in Shawnee township, which he has improved and successfully farmed to the present time. In 1874, Samuel Crews and Clara E. Snelling were married and five children have been born to them as follows: Darrell, a farmer of Huntingdale, Missouri, who has one daughter, Fay, and a son, Samuel; Estelle E., now Mrs. N. F. Gilliam of Big Creek township, Henry County; Charles F., of Big Creek township, Henry County, has one daughter, Dorothy; Snelling E., a farmer of Shawnee township, Henry County, has two daughters, Wilma and Estelle; and Raymond, who is a farmer of Big Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Crews are members of the Carrsville Baptist Church and are loyal workers of the same. The Crews family are well known in Pettis County and stand high in the community.
CROLEY, Jesse D.
Garland, Honey Creek Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 635
Jesse D. Croley, a well-known Henry County educator, now at the head of the Garland schools, is a native of Henry County, and belongs to a pioneer family of this county. Mr. Croley was born in Walker township, June 30, 1884, in an old house that was built August 10, 1861, the day of the battle of Wilson Creek. He is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Short) Croley, both natives of Henry County, the father being born and reared in Bethlehem township. He died in 1887; he was a son of Berry Crowley, who was a very early settler in Henry County, locating near where La Due now stands at a very early day. Joseph Croley served in the Union Army during the Civil war and participated in the Battle of Wilson Creek. Rebecca Short, his third wife, was born in Bates County and also belongs to pioneer Missouri stock. Her parents were William D. and Susan Jane Short. Joseph and Rebecca (Short) Croley were the parents of the following children: Jesse D., the subject of this sketch; Thomas A., deceased; and Ada May, now the wife of Walter S. Schroeder, Urich, Missouri. Joseph Croley was married three times. By his second marriage were born the following children: Albert Henry, Olney Springs, Colorado; and Alice, now Mrs. Seaman, Chicago, Illinois. And to the first marriage were born: William James, Lawson, Missouri, and Charles Edward, Brookfield, Kansas. Jesse D. Croley was educated in the public schools of Henry County and the Urich High School. Later he took a commercial course in a Kansas City business college. He has been engaged in teaching in Henry County for fifteen years, his first school being in American school district, and for the past six years he has taught at Garland district No.33. He is one of the well-known and successful teachers of Henry County, and has taught twelve terms in Honey Creek township. He received his first certificate to teach from Uel W. Lamkin, the editor of this work. Mr. Croley was united in marriage May 12, 1908, to Miss Clara Horrell, a daughter of C. W. and Viola (Mitchell) Horrell of Clinton, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Croley have been born two daughters, Dorothy May, and Clara Bernice. Mr. and Mrs. Croley are well known in Henry County, and have many friends.
CROME, William F.
Clinton, Clinton Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 290
Photos: William F. Crome
William F. Crome. Personal achievement of moment and consequence to the community in which the individual under review has succeeded in his life work is deserving of more than casual mention. The late William F. Crome, founder of the William F. Crome and Company, wholesale grocery company, of Clinton, Missouri, was a pioneer in his line of endeavor, and succeeded in establishing a wholesale business in Clinton when the undertaking was looked upon as of doubtful success by others of the business world. He established one of the first wholesale grocery concerns in western Missouri and did more than any other Clinton citizen in placing Clinton in the front rank of Missouri commercial towns. For a quarter of a century he contributed to the commercial development of Clinton and western Missouri. As far back as 1887, at a time when it was generally considered impracticable, if not impossible, to establish a wholesale grocery house in Clinton, Mr. Crome came here and placed in operation a branch house of the Fink and Nasse Wholesale Grocery Company of St. Louis. He began the business here under the name of William F. Crome and Company and his sons are at this day proprietors of the business which he founded and are operating successfully under the original title of the concern. Nearly a third of a century of square dealing has made the name of William F. Crome and Company the leading one in the wholesale grocery world of this section of Missouri. William F. Crome was born in Germany in 1853. When sixteen years of age he immigrated to America, without money or even influential friends to assist him in the upward climb to prosperous well being which became his after years of patient endeavor. He came to this country imbued with the idea of making his fortune and was able and willing to perform any honest labor of which he was capable. He first located in Kentucky and from there went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he obtained employment in an eating place - a position which was no sinecure in those early days and requiring the hardest kind of labor. From Nashville he went to Decatur, an inland Missouri town, where he was employed as general assistant in a flouring mill and a general store. It was here that he secured his first experience in handling retail merchandise and gained an experience in business which was valuable to him in later years. His next move was to Bunker Hill, Kansas, where he operated a general store. Not long afterward he went to St. Louis and was married, shortly afterward returning to Bunker Hill with the intention of remaining there in business for himself. He soon sold out his interests in Kansas and, going to St. Louis, became connected with the firm of Fink and Nasse. Attaining a partnership in this concern, he remained in St. Louis until 1887, when he came to Clinton and established the wholesale grocery business which still bears his name and is operated by his sons. This was the first wholesale grocery business established in Henry County and is the leading one, covering a broad scope of territory in western Missouri. The trade of this establishment covers a radius of about fifty miles of prosperous territory around Clinton, and everything usually found in a first-class, well-equipped wholesale grocery house can be had at short notice from the William F. Crome and Company. The reputation and high standing of this institution has been builded upon the twin precepts of success - quality and service. William F. Crome departed this life January 12, 1910 at his home in Clinton. He was in active management of his immense business until his health began to fail him. During his long years of residence in Clinton he took an active part in the upbuilding of the city and its development, contributing probably more than any other citizen of his day to the development of this city and through his business, giving the city a wide advertisement as a trade center. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and lived a clean and upright life, being ever ready to contribute liberally to worthy religious and charitable enterprises. For a number of years he was a member of the Clinton school board and took an active and influential interest in educational matters until compelled to resign from the board on account of failing health. Mr. Crome was married in 1882 to Miss Julia Fink, of St. Louis. Mrs. Julia (Fink) Crome is the daughter of Conrad Fink, a man who had a remarkable business career and during his time was one of the captains of industry of St. Louis. Mr. Fink began his career as a steamboat captain on the Mississippi River and became the owner of a fleet of boats plying that waterway in the days when the Mississippi was the great artery of commerce through the western and central sections of the country. He commanded the first boat to reach Memphis, flying the Union flag during the Civil War. After the war he engaged in the milling business in St. Louis and amassed a fortune. Later, he engaged in the wholesale grocery business there and amassed another fortune. Mr. Fink died at Ashville, North Carolina, while sojourning there for his health. To William F. and Julia (Fink) Crome were born five children: Carl A., William F., Robert, Conrad E., and Alice. William F., Conrad E., and Carl A., are now the owners and active managers of the business founded by their father, and which is carried on under the name of William F. Crome and Company. All are well educated and received a thorough training in the business under their capable and successful father and are enterprising and worthy citizens of the city of their birth and rearing. The sons of William F. Crome were all educated in the Culver Military Academy of Indiana, and are affiliated fraternally with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and are Knights Templars and members of the Mystic Shrine. The Crome Brothers represent a high type of progressive business men and good citizenship, being ever ready and liberal in their contributions and support of worthy local enterprises. Carl A. Crome married Miss Helen Mitchell of Clinton, and has one child, Helen Elizabeth. Miss Alice Crome resides with her mother in Clinton. William F. Crome was married in July, 1918, to Miss Cory McConnell of Clinton. Conrad F. Crome was born August 5, 1892, is an enlisted officer in the National Army of the United States, was graduated from the Second Officers' Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, August 28, 1917, and is now serving as captain with the 305th Supply Train, with the American Field Army at the western front in France.
CROMER, George H.
Fairview Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 757
George H. Cromer, farmer, section 30, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1834, being the son of John Cromer, also a native of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1812. His mother, formerly Elizabeth Fink, came originally from the same state. John Cromer moved with his family from Lancaster to Adams County in 1841, where they lived about thirteen years, going thence to Darke County, Ohio in 1854. George H. passed his youth on a farm and received a common school education. He was married in Darke County, November 25, 1856, to Miss Ellen Hufnagle, of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Hufnagle. She moved to Ohio with her parents when about three years old, they settling in Darke County, where she was reared and educated. He was engaged in farming after this nine years, and in the fall of 1865 he came to Missouri, locating in Henry County. He moved on the farm where he now resides in 1870, having 160 acres, all fenced and in cultivation and pasture. His new residence is a neat and substantial one, and his yard is tastily ornamented. Mr. Cromer is one of the thrifty farmers of this township. He and his wife have four children: William D., James H., and Ettie Jane and Nettie Belle, twins. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Presbyterian Church.
CROSS, Dewit C.
Deepwater Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 608
D. C. Cross was born in Madison County, Tennessee, March 7, 1838. John D. Cross, his father, and also his mother, formerly Eliza Anderson, were either natives of Virginia or Tennessee. D. C. accompanied his parents to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1844, where his father died soon after. The son spent his youth up to his fourteenth year mostly in school, and upon arriving at this age he went on the river and followed boating for about four years. In 1857 he engaged in the mercantile business in Graffenburg, where he sold goods for about six months. Mr. Cross was married in Franklin County, Kentucky, March 25, 1859, to Lucinda E. Johnson, of that county, and a daughter of Robert R. Johnson. After this he came to Cooper County, Missouri, and farmed for seven years, and in the spring of 1866 he moved to Henry County, where he bought land continued his farming operations. He has a fine farm of fifty-five acres one-fourth of a mile south of Montrose, in section 23, in cultivation, with a good residence, barn, and out buildings. An orchard of 300 bearing apple trees of select varieties is on the place, besides fifty peach, some cherry, pear, plum, and small fruits in variety. Mr. Cross is Democratic in politics and has filled several offices in his township. He served four years as justice of the peace with marked distinction, and for a number of years was a member of the school board. He and his wife have nine children: Mary E., Robert S., Dora, Lulie, Alice, Martha, Viola, Fanny and Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Cross are members of the Christian Church. He belongs to the United Workmen. He engaged in the butcher business in November, 1832, and now has an excellent shop and is enjoying a liberal patronage.
CRUCE, George W.
Davis Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 732
George W. Cruce is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Livingston County, (now Crittenden) September 11, 1829. His parents were James and Nancy (Harrison) Cruce, also natives of Kentucky. George was the fifth of nine children, and he has one brother, James, in Vernon County, Missouri. In 1854 he first came to Missouri and then entered a half section of land, but soon after went back to his native home. After an absence of two years he returned to Missouri and began to improve his land. On the 7th of February, 1858, he was married to Miss Frances Hester, originally of Tennessee. In 1862 he again returned to Kentucky, and remained there until the close of the rebellion, when he once more came to Missouri, and for four years was occupied at Warrensburg in clerking for the firm of Cruce & Bell. In 1869 he removed upon his farm. This contains 315 acres in one of the most agreeable sections of the county, all of which is in a fair state of cultivation, and he is improving his stock to some extent. Mr. Cruce is one of the more substantial and reliable men of this vicinity, and for ten years has held the office of justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been admitted over thirty years ago. He has but two children, George, aged twenty-two, and Marshall, aged nineteen years.
CRUCE, George W.
Davis Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 861
George W. Cruce - The late George W. Cruce was one of the oldest pioneer settlers of Henry County. Mr. Cruce was born September 11, 1829, in Crittendon County, Kentucky, and died March 26, 1912, at his home in Clinton, Missouri. He was the son of James and Nancy (Harrison) Cruce, who spent all of their lives in Kentucky. George W. Cruce made his first trip to Missouri in 1854, and after viewing the country with the intention of settling in the western part of the State he returned home. After a stay of two years in Kentucky he came to Henry County and purchased his farm in Davis township. Two years after coming to this county he was married to Miss Frances G. Hester. Three children were born of this marriage: Ella, died at the age of five years; George Cruce, born 1860, resides with his mother in Clinton; Marshall R., born 1863, resides in Nevada, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Cruce improved a splendid tract of 400 acres of land in the northwest corner of Davis township and resided there until 1898, when they retired to a home in Clinton. In 1880 they removed to Whitesboro, Texas, so as to be with their son who was engaged in business in that city. They resided in Texas for eleven years and then returned to Clinton. Mrs. Frances G. (Hester) Cruce was born May 22, 1838, in Tennessee, the daughter of Thomas and Mary E. (Baynum) Hester, natives of Virginia, who were pioneer settlers of Kentucky and who came to Missouri as early as 1840 and made a settlement in St. Clair County. Thomas Hester died in St. Clair County in 1841 and his widow then came to Henry County and lived here with her children. During the Civil War period the family removed to Kentucky, where they remained for a short time, and then came back to Missouri and made their home in Warrensburg for four years. After the war they came to Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Cruce accompanied them to Kentucky, where Mrs. Cruce's youngest son was born. Her daughter, Mary E. Cruce, died in Crittendon County, Kentucky. There were fourteen children in the Hester family, eight of whom were reared: Anthony N., Robert, Thomas, Martha B., Mary A., Juliet, Eliza, and Frances G. (Cruce) the only surviving member of the family. George Cruce, who makes his home with his mother in Clinton, has been a successful farmer and has been married and is father of six children: George G., living in Canada; Robert J., lives in Montana; Mrs. Ella Clairy, lives near Urich, Missouri; James G., who is cultivating the Cruce home place; Mrs. Mary F. Hedland lives in Warrensburg; Paul lives in Clinton. Mrs. Frances G. Cruce has eleven great-grandchildren. For the past sixty-four years she has been a member of the Christian Church and active in religious works. She is the only living charter member of the Clinton Christian Church. Mrs. Cruce recalls the early pioneer days spent in St. Clair County and that the settlers went to mill at what was known as Captain Lena's Mill on Sac River. They went to market by ox-team to Osceola, at that time a landing port for the boats which came up the Osage River. Mrs. Hester owned a number of slaves, seventeen in all, who did all the work of the farm and were very devoted to their mistress. All of the children were well educated and received every advantage possible to give them during those early days. They were prosperous and happy until the war broke out, eventually causing Mrs. Hester to lose all of her slaves and the family fortunes were considerably weakened. George W. Cruce was a Democrat and was one of the leaders of his party in Henry County for a number of years. He was a self-educated man and was highly intelligent. For over twenty years he served as justice of the peace for Davis township. He was a member of the Christian Church and while a resident of Whitesboro, Texas, he served as deacon of the church. For over sixty-two years he was a Mason and took an active interest in the affairs of this order.
CRUM, Elijah Calvin
Windsor Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 567
Elijah Calvin Crum, miller, who with his brother, William G., owns the Windsor Custom Mills, was born in Greenup County, Kentucky, January 13, 1841, and came to Windsor in 1877. He learned the milling business in his own mill. He married Miss Mary E. Estes January 14, 1862. She was the daughter of Jackson Estes, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Abigal Cravens (Jackson) Estes, who was born in Georgia. They have three children: Millie, George Ernest and Mary Abigal. Mr. Crum in his religious preferences is a Baptist. He is an industrious man and has made the milling business a constant study, understanding all its details. He takes great delight in fulfilling his duties as a Christian and good neighbor.
CRUM, William G.
Windsor Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 566
William G. Crum, of the firm of Crum Brothers, proprietors of the Windsor Custom Mills, was born in Greenup County, Kentucky, in 1839, his parents being Thomas and Wilmoth Ann (Dickson) Crum, Virginians by birth. The former was a farmer and brick mason by occupation. In 1857-8 the family came to Missouri, and settled in Benton County, bought a farm and improved it, and made it their permanent home. The mother died in 1864 and the father in April, 1880. In January 1876, William G. Crum came to Windsor, and having learned the milling business in Lincoln, Missouri, he at once went to work in the Windsor Mills, and remained for three years. In 1879, the Crum Brothers built their present mill and have since operated it. The mill has two run of stone, a fine engine, and is run to its full capacity. Mr. C. married Miss Patience Gibson in February, 1861. Her father, Hawkins Gibson was born in Kentucky, as was also her mother, formerly Sally Bradley. Their family consists of Thomas H., Sally Ann, Elizabeth, Virginia P., Emma Bell, Willie G. and William Henry. John Calvin died in 1871. Mr. Crum, in his political affiliations is a Democrat. He is an active member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the A. O. U. W. fraternity.
CUNNINGHAM, J. O.
Bogard Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 764
J. O. Cunningham, owner and proprietor of the "Valley Farm," is one of the extensive farmers and stockmen of Henry County. Mr. Cunningham is a native of Illinois. He was born in McLean County November 30, 1864, a son of J. W. and Rachel Elvina (Shaw) Cunningham. The father was a Union veteran of the Civil War and now resides in Iroquois County, Illinois. The mother died in October, 1917. They were the parents of the following children: J. O. Cunningham, the subject of this sketch; Emery, Sikeston, Missouri; John S., Iroquois County, Illinois; Eva May, married Clarence Hollister, Sikeston, Missouri; Elma, married John Whitlaw, Hastings, Nebraska. J. O. Cunningham was reared in Illinois and educated in the public schools and Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois. He engaged in farming in early life in his native State and followed that occupation there until 1901, when he came to Henry County, Missouri, and bought one hundred sixty acres of land in Bogard township. He improved this place and added eighty acres to his original purchase. He also owns a farm of two hundred acres near Blairstown. He built a fine residence on the home place in 1912. It is a two story, modern residence with sixteen rooms and is equipped with hot and cold water and modern heating and lighting systems. The barns and other buildings on the place are in thorough keeping with the residence. Mr. Cunningham is one of the successful stockmen of the county. He is well known as an extensive breeder of registered Poland China hogs. He raises as many as one hundred head of these hogs annually, all of which are eligible to registration. He also raises high grade cattle. The "Valley Farm" is well adapted to general farming purposes as well as being one of the ideal stock farms of the county. To supply the place with water Mr. Cunningham has drilled a well three hundred feet deep, which furnishes an inexhaustible supply of water for the place. February 17, 1896, J. O. Cunningham was united in marriage with Miss May Center, daughter of H. C. and Hattie (Hall) Center of Watseka, Illinois. Mrs. Cunningham's mother died February 14, 1914, and the father died March 9, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born two children: Dewey C., a graduate of the Blairstown High School, and Eleanor Rachel, who married Paul H. Allen, of Urich, Missouri, May 8, 1918. Mr. Cunningham takes a deep interest in local public institutions and has been especially active in the betterment of the public schools. He was one of the strong supporters for the Blairstown High School district, which is one of the best schools of the county. He is now serving his second term as secretary of the consolidated school district, number two. For six years he was president of the township board, and during that time much excellent road work was done, many concrete culverts being constructed and other road improvements made. He is one of Henry County's progressive citizens who stands ever ready to support any worthy public enterprise.
CUTHRELL, Edward Franklin
Tebo Township
1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 590
Edward F. Cuthrell is a successful farmer of Tebo township, who owns 590 acres of well improved land. This farm of generous proportions had its nucleus in 240 acres purchased in 1902 and Mr. Cuthrell has added to it until he has 590 acres of good farm land. Mr. Edward F. Cuthrell was born in Davie County, North Carolina, December 17, 1875, the son of James F. and Nettie (McBride) Cuthrell. James Cuthrell was a native of North Carolina and served in the Confederate Army for a short while, but was discharged because of disability. He was a tiller of the soil and lived to an advanced age, passing away in 1911. His wife, also a native of North Carolina, survived him until June, 1917, when she was laid away. Edward F. Cuthrell remained in his native state until he was seventeen years of age, when he came to Clinton, Missouri, in 1892 and received employment as a farm hand. After five years of work as a farm hand Mr. Cuthrell in 1897 rented land for himself, until by dint of hard labor and economy, he was able to purchase the 240 acres, the nucleus of the present farm, in 1902. He made needed improvements, building a large barn 64x100 feet in extent and various other outbuildings. February 3, 1894, Edward Cuthrell and Emma Gilkerson were united in marriage, and are the parents of the following children: Hattie, wife of E. Wilson, farmer of Tebo township; Taylor, a soldier in the United States Army; Rolla, in the United States Navy; Elmer, in Iowa; Alpha, Edward, Effie and Pauline at home with their father. The mother of this family, Mrs. Emma (Gilkerson) Cuthrell, was born in 1878 in Fields Creek township, Henry County, the daughter of Charles and Mollie (Page) Gilkerson, the former a native of Henry County and the latter of Lafayette County, Missouri. They live in California. In June, 1910, Mrs. Cuthrell passed away and her younger daughters are shouldering the responsibility of the home making since her demise. Mr. Cuthrell has been an extensive breeder of jacks, road horses, Percheron and Belgian horses for twenty years. He has been a member of the Methodist Church since childhood.
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