The Crabill Family of Clark County, Ohio

THOMAS VOSS CRABILL. retired farmer. Springfield. This gentleman is one of the few living pioneers who are left to tell the tale of the trials and hardships of pioneer life, and who have helped to convert the wilds of the Mad River country into the beautiful farms to be seen throughout the county. Thomas Voss Crabill was born in Moorefield Township, Clark Co., Ohio, Nov. 2. 1810, and is the son of David and Barbary (Bear) Crabill, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania, who settled on Buck Creek, in Moorefield Township, in 1808: they were married in Virginia, and had born to them the following children: Sarah (deceased), Maria, John (deceased),

. Thomas V., David (deceased), James W.. Mary, Susan (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Pierson S., William H. and Eliza J. The subject of this sketch grew up in his native township, and was there married, Jan. 31, 1833. to Sidney Yeazell, daughter of Abraham and Mary Yeazell, who was born in Moorefield Township Feb. 6, 1815, her family being pioneers of Clark County; of this union, fifteen children have been born, nine of whom are living, viz., William, David, James, John, Thomas, Milton, Joseph F., Levina and Elizabeth. Shortly after marriage, Mr. Crabill moved to his present farm, which he rented from his father, upon whose death he bought the property from the heirs. The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Crabill died in Moorefield Township, his father, David Crabill, having been a soldier in 1812, fighting the Indians, who were league with the English against his native land. Mr. Crabill inherited 100 acres of land, and his wife had $1,000 in money, with which they started in life; but, by constant toil and rigid economy, they have accumulated a large estate, owning 700 acres of land surrounding his home in Springfield Township, and 320 in Moorefield Township. Mr. Crabill is recognized as a man of upright, ‘honest character, whose word has ever been as good as his bond; politically, he was a Whig, but, upon the formation of the Republican party, he joined its standard, and is a “stalwart” in his political opinions, his whole family being of the same faith. He is now in feeble health, having been paralyzed for some years, but, with his partner through life’s joys and sorrows, he patiently awaits the day when he will be called to rest in peace.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM HOLMES CRABILL.

William Holmes Crabill is a retired farmer and stock-raiser now living in Springfield. He was born four miles northeast of the city, in Moorefield township, upon the farm which he still owns— a tract of three hundred and fifty-four acres which his father entered from the government. David Crabill was a native of Virginia, born and reared near the Potomac river, and on leaving the Old Dominion he

$ made his way westward to Ohio, He had been married in his native state and two of his children were there born. He served as a soldier under General Wayne in the war of 1812, holding the rank of first sergeant, and after his death our subject obtained the land warrant for his widow, which entitled her to an entire section of land because he had been an officer. Mrs. David Crabill bore the maiden name of Barbara Baer, and like her husband was a native. of Virginia. His death occurred in 1839, when he was about fifty-seven years of age, and his wife passed away in 1863. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom reached years of maturity. Sarah become the wife of George Kiser and died in Champaign county, leaving four children. Maria became the wife of Adam Yeazell, by whom she had seven children, and her death occurred in Champaign county, Illinois. John died at the age of sixteen years. Thomas married Sydney Yeazell, who died leaving a large family. David married Eliza Hedges, by whom she ha done child, and died in Clark county. James and Joseph have also passed away. Mary became the wife of Joshua Crown and died leaving several children, but all are now deceased. Susan married Levi Enos Weir, and her children died prior to her death. Pierson is living upon the home farm. William H. is the eleventh in order of birth. Eliza married Oscar Jones and died leaving three children.

William Holmes Crabill was reared under the parental roof. He had but limited opportunities for securing an education, never attending a free school. He was, however, a student in a subscription school for a short time and he has always been a great reader, whereby he has largely broadened his knowledge. He was but eight years of age at the time of his father’s death, and he remained with his mother until twenty-two years of age, when he started out on his own account. The father was in very limited circumstances when he arrived here, not having money enough to purchase a cow. He had made the journey with Thomas and Solomon Voss, and he worked for them by the month while his wife did the house work for them. As the years passed, however, Mr. Crabill prospered and became an extensive land owner, having twelve hundred acres. Our subject therefore inherited over one hundred acres of land and has made the money with which he purchased the remainder of his farm property, now comprising three hundred and fifty-four acres. In earlier days he was an extensive stock dealer and drove stock from Illinois to Pennsylvania. His life has been a very busy one, and his close attention to his farming interests resulted in bringing to him a very desirable capital. As the years passed his competence increased until he is now enabled to live retired and yet to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His birth occurred May 10, 1826, so that he is now seventy-six years of age. He was reared in the faith of the Whig party, and cast his first presidential ballot for Taylor in 1848. In 1856 he voted for Fremont, and has since been a stanch Republican, although he has never been an office seeker. He served as assessor for sixteen years. He never sought the position, but proved so capable and efficient that he had no opposition. He was also land appraiser at one time. Socially he is identified with Clark Lodge, No. tor, F. & A. M., and in his life he has exemplified the helpful and charitable spirit of the fraternity.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM CRABILL, JR., one of Springfield's leading citizens and extensive farmers, owning a farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres, on which he lives, and a second farm of seventy-eight acres, on which a son resides, was born in Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio, March 15, 1834, and is a son of Thomas V. and Sidney (Yeazell) Crabill, who were very prominent people in this section of Ohio, at an early day.

William Crabill was one year old when his father moved from Springfield Township, to Homer, Champaign County, Illinois, where the family lived for one year and then returned to Clark County. The parents of Mr. Crabill settled again in Springfield Township, on the farm which is now occupied by Joseph Crabill, and William Crabill lived in the old log cabin home until he was twenty-one years of age, about which time the present fine brick residence of Joseph Crabill, Sr., was built. On November 1, 1860, William Crabill was married to Sarah E. Wise, who died April 9, 1901. She was a daughter of Jesse Wise. Mr. and Mrs. Crabill went to housekeeping on a rented farm in Madison Township, but on April 1, 1863, they moved to Harmony Township. Twelve years later they left that farm and on September 3, 1874, settled on the present farm in Springfield Township. With the exception of one year, in his infancy, Mr. Crabill has lived continuously in Clark County. He has had eight children, namely: Joseph, residing in Springfield Township; William Edgar, living at home; Elizabeth, deceased, married William J. Copeland, also deceased, and their three surviving children, Clarence, Esther May and James, reside with their grandfather; Alice, who married Charles Croutwatter, a farmer of Springfield Township; Elza, residing in a tenant house on the home farm; May, deceased, who married John Stratton, left one son; Uattie, who died in 1900; and John, who died aged four years. Elza Crabill, who assists his father in the management of the home farm, married Stella May Smith, and they have had three children: Forest, David and Ormas, the latter being deceased.

Mr. Crabill owns what is considered one of the best farms in Springfield Township and he makes a specialty of raising Chester White hogs and Delaine sheep. On August 4. 1895, he suffered the loss of a burn full of hay. and about 700 bushels of wheat by fire, resulting from a stroke of lightning. He has erected all of his substantial buildings and yearly adds to the value of his estate. Having several springs on his farm he has installed a hydraulic ram which forces the water all through his house and barnlot, millions of gallons of water escaping down the road. All the Crabills have been men of enterprise and have acquired property through their industry and good management. The father of Mr. Crabill started out in life with but a pittance, but owned over one thousand acres of land at his death. William Crabill is a member of the Fifth Lutheran Church at Springfield.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM CRABILL, farmer: P. O. Springtield; son of Thomas V. and Sidney Crabill; he was born in this county March 15, 1834. He was united in marriage, Nov. 1, 1850, to Sarah E. Wise, daughter of Jesse and Mariel Wise; seven children have been born unto them, viz., Joseph, June 4, 1862: William Edgar, Aug. 4, 1866; Lizzie, May 5, 1868; John, Oct. 15, 1870; Hattie, Oct. 15, 1872; Alice, Sept. 4, 1876; Elza, Feb. 11, 1879. John died when but 4 years old. Mr. Crabill lived at home, working on the farm, until his marriage, when he moved near Charleston, Clark Co., Ohio, on a rented farm; after remaining on said farm two years, he rented and moved to another farm, in Harmony Township, where he lived twelve years, when he moved to his present home; during the fourteen years he was farming rented land, he saved $10,000, which he invested in the farm upon which he now resides. He is a practical farmer, and his stock is all of the best breed, experience convincing him that * the best pays. the best." Mrs. Crabill was born in this county March 6, 1841, and she and her husband have been active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1874, and have been liberal in the support of that denomination. Politically, Mr. Crabill is a Republican, and is one of the go-ahead, progressive farmers of his township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

DAVID CRABILL, farmer; P. O. Springfield; son of Thomas V. and Sidney Crabill; was born in Champaign Co., Ill, March 14, 1836; has followed farming all his life, and is engaged at present quite extensively in farming and stock-raising, and pays a great deal to the improvement of his stock, and aims to keep none but the best. He was married, Dec. 2, 1862, to Nancy C. Rock, daughter of Thomas and Leah Rock; they have two children —Emma J., born Dec. 6, 1803; and Thomas V., born Aug. 25, 1865. Mrs. Crabill’s father was a native of Kentucky, and died in Clark Co., Ohio, May 6, 1880: her mother was in this county, and died here July 7, 1847. Mr. Crabill is one of the prominent, rising farmers of this county; he is one of the Directors of his school district, which position he has held for four successive years, he lives in a tine brick house, five miles southeast of Springfield. He and his wife believe in keeping pace with the times, and are making an exertion to so rear their children that they will be an honor to them and useful to the community in which they may live. During the late rebellion. not being able to go himself. he fur. nished a man to serve 1n his place during the war.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Effort long continued when guided by sound business judgment cannot fail to win success, and such has been the case in the history of James Crabill, who is now living retired in Moorefield township after long years of connection with agricultural interests. A comfortable competence is his, won through honest purpose and unflagging labor. He was born January 12, 1841, in the town of-Springfield. His paternal grandparents were David and Barbara (Bear) Crabill. They’ were natives of Loudoun county, Virginia, where both were reared to years of maturity and were married,. re-

“moving from the Old Dominion to Ohio about 1814. Four of their children were born in Virginia and others were added to the family in this state until they were the parents of twelve children. All of these grew to mature years with the exception of one, who died at the age of sixteen, but two of the number are still living, William being a resident of Springfield, while Pearson makes his home on a farm in Moorefieid township. Five of the family never married. Thomas, the fourth child, lived on a farm in Springfield township and reared a large family. John, the eldest, died at the age of sixteen. Sallie became the wife of George Kiser and also reared al large family. Maria was the wife of Adam Yeazell and at her death left several children in Champaign county, Illinois. David married and had one child that died in infancy. James was the next younger. Mary became the wife of Joshua Crawn-and left several children. Joseph never married. Susan became the wife of Rev. Enos Neer and died in Cincinnati. Pearson is a resident farmer of Moorefield township. William is living in Springfield. Eliza became the wife of Daniel A. Jones and died im Springfied, while of her five children three are living. The father of=this family was in limited financial circumstances when he came to Ohio, but here he got a good start, although later he went security for friends and thus lost all that he had made. With strong purpose and undaunted courage, however, he began business life anew and became the owner of almost twelve hundred acres of land, together with a large amount of stock. His farm was wild woods when he ‘settled here, the trees and brush growing so thick that it was impossible to see a mason horseback a hundred yards away. ‘His farm was called

"Fairview because as it was cleared there was obtained a beautiful view of the sut-

‘rounding country for miles to the northeast and an attractive feature of the landscape is the stream of Black creek. Mr. Crabill was an old line Whig. He died at the age of fifty-six years and his wife passed away when about seventy-five years of age. Thomas Voss Crabill, the father of our subject, was born on Fairview farm in Moorefield township and was the third of the family. He acquired a fair common school education and then began farming on his own account, following that pursuit throughout his entire life. He became the owner of seven hundred and seventy-six acres of land of the old homestead, most of which he bought. In Moorefield township he wedded Sydney Yeazell, and unto them were born fourteen children, of whom our subject is the fifth in order of birth. These are: William, a farmer living southeast of Springfield; David, of the same neighborhood; Mary Jane, who died at the age of sixteen years; Ann Eliza, who became the wife of Joseph Winger and lost two children in early youth; James, of this review: Susan, who died in early womanhood: Louisa, who became the wife of A N. Tuttle and died in Clark county, leaving one child, Mrs. Carrie Alt, of Clark county; Lavina, who became the wife of John Marsh and after his death married Michael Wilson; John, who is living on a farm in Springfield township and has three children; Elizabeth, the wife of Alonzo Leffel, of Springfield; Thomas, who is living in Columbus and has three children; Emma J. and Pearson, both of whom died in infancy; Milton, who lives in Springfield and has two children; Joseph F., who resides on the old homestead five miles southeast of Springfield and has two children. The father of this family voted with the Republican party and was a member of the Presbyterian church. He died September 4, 1884, at the age of seventy-four years and his wife is still living at the age of eighty-seven.

James Crabill is indebted to the common schools for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He remained at home until his marriage, which took place October 17, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Clara E. Nicklin, of Moorefield township, a daughter of John B. and Catharine (Hoffman) Nicklin. One child graces this marriage, Jessie B., born August 2, 1881. The family home is a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres: in Moorefield township, which Mr. Crabill largely inherited from his father. His possessions now enable him to live practically a retired life. In politics he is a Republican and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Springfield, to which his wife and daughter also belong. The family is well known in this section of the county, for Mr. and Mrs. Crabill have spent their entire lives here and are well known as worthy. people, who justly merit the esteem and good will of their many friends.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN CRABILL, farmer; P. O. Springfield. John Crabill, son of Thomas V. and Sidney Crabill, was born on the home farm July 5, 1847; he lives in a beautiful frame house on the home farm; he, like his brother, takes pride in the improvement of his stock; he has always lived on a farm, and is a young man of excellent character; politically, a stanch Republican. He was married, Dec. 19, 1872, to Barbara E. Zimmerman; they have three promising children—Ada Irene. Clark Rodgers and Pearl Preston. Mrs. Crabill is the daughter of Isaac and Anna Zimmerman; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio and to this county in 1849. and located just north of Lagonda, where they lived until their decease. Mrs. Crabill attended school two years in the Springfield Female Seminary, and at the death of her father was obliged to quit school before she graduated.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH CRABILL, JR., member of the Springfield Township School Board, resides on a well improved farm of 128 acres in Springfield Township, where lie carries on a general agricultural line. He was born in Madison Township, Clark County, Ohio, Jime 4, 1862, and is a son of William Jr., and Sarah (Wise) CrabiU. The Crabill family is an old agricultural one of Clark County. The grandfather, Thomas V. Crabill, was born in Moorefield Township, above Lagonda, on what was then known as the old Crabill farm, and he became a large landowner.

William Crabill, Jr., was born in Sjiringfield Township in March, 1834, on a farm now occupied by his brother, J. F. Crabill. After his marriage he moved to Madison Township, where he rented a farm for several years, then moved to Harmony Township, where he resided until the spring of 1874, when he bought a farm of 180 acres in Springfield Township, to which he moved in the following September. He owns also the well improved farm of seventy-eight acres on which his son, Joseph, Jr., located September 30, 1892.

Joseph Crabill, Jr., was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents to Springfield Township, where he has resided ever since. He obtained his education in the public schools and has ever since given his best efforts to farming.

For a time after his marriage, he continued to reside with his father and then moved to the farm the latter had formerly purchased, subsequently buying his own farm of fifty acres from Dr. Laybourn. He does a large wholesale milk business in addition to general farming, and is ranked with the representative business men of this section.

Mr. Crabill married Mary Hinkle, who is a daughter of Michael Hinkle, who was a prominent pioneer settler and large farmer of Springfield Township. They have five children, namely: Lester H., Sarah Wise, Alice, Joseph Elden and William. Mr. Crabill and family belong to the Lutheran Church, and he is a member of the church council.

Mr. Crabill, as a citizen, is interested in all that concerns the general welfare of his community and he has testified to his sincerity by consenting to serve for many years on the School Board, of which he was president in 1907. He is a member of the Knights of Pvthias.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

P. P. CRABILL, president of the Central Brass and Fixture Company, one of the prominent manufacturing concerns of Springfield, has been a resident of Clark County, Ohio, all his life. He was born in Springfield Township, in 1879, and is a son of John Crabill.

John Crabill, an influential farmer and landowner of Springfield Township, was also born in Clark County, in 1848, and is a son of Thomas V. Crabill. The latter was born in Virginia and in 1816, during his boyhood days, came west to Clark County, Ohio. He farmer and dealt extensively in stock, becoming one of the largest landowners in the county and a man of prominence.

P. P. Crabill was reared on the old home place in Springfield Township, and after completing the prescribed course in the public schools pursued a course of study in mechanical engineering in the Ohio State University at Columbus, from which institution he was graduated in 1900. Immediately thereafter he became identified with the Foos Gas Engine Company, remaining with them for seven years. In February, 1907, he, in connection with James Turner, organized the Central Brass and Fixture Works of Springfield, which in September of that year was re-organized and incorporated as the Central Brass and Fixture Company with a capital stock of $10,000. Mr. Crabill was elected president, with Mr. Turner as treasurer and manager. They manufacture all kinds of brass castings and finished work, making a specialty of the Puritan Bath Cock, and have built a large and remunerative trade. Our subject is also a stockholder in the Foos Gas Engine Company.

In October, 1906, Mr. Crabill was joined in marriage with Miss Bertha Jones, daughter of C. M. Jones, a well known citizen of Union County, Ohio. Fraternally he is an Elk. He and his wife are members of the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

MAJOR WILLIAM HUNT was formerly one of the leading men of Clark County, Ohio. He was the first president of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad, now known as the Sandusky branch of the Big Four Railroad, was the first president of the Clark County Agricultural Society, and was identified with improvement and progress during the whole of his active life. Major Hunt was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, October 25, 1797, and died while on a visit to a daughter at Springfield, Ohio, May 17,

The parents of Major Hunt were Ralph and Lydia (Eyre) Hunt. Prior to coming to Clark County, Ohio, Ralph Hunt operated Hunt's Mills in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and after reaching this section he bought, in association with his sons, about 600 acres of land. The Hunts soon began the building of a fine residence, which was completed in 18.30, and at the time was the best house in Clark County. In early manhood he married Lydia Eyre, who was a daughter of Manuel Eyre, who was an officer in the War of the Revolution. He was born in Philadelphia and was a ship builder by trade and testified to his loyalty not only by serving as a soldier but also by contributing to pay war expenses. There were five sons and one daughter born to Ralph and Lydia Hunt, namely: William, Manuel Eyre, Ishi Van Cleve, Daniel and Franklin Eyre. The youngest son was a student at the military post at West Point when his father came to Ohio. The eldest son had preceded his father and the two next in order accompanied him. These two sons never married but remained in Ohio, where they acquired large tracts of land in Clark and Champaign Counties. The other son, Daniel, came also to Clark County, where he married but did not remain in Ohio, his record being lost. Ralph Hunt died in 1838.

Major William Hunt probably acquired his title through service in the New Jersey militia and in the War of 1812. He was afforded educational opportunities and in young manhood came to Ohio in search of a business opening, which he found at Urbana, in Champaign County, where he entered into a mercantile business and was subsequently made postmaster. It was during his residence at Urbana that his father and brothers came to Clark County. Several years after his marriage, when his father died, William Hunt left Urbana and came to Moorefield Township, Clark County, and took possession of the home farm and he continued to reside in Clark County during the remainder of his life, which was one of great activity and usefulness.

At Urbana, Ohio, Major William Hunt was married to Mary MeCord, a most estimable woman, who survived until December 25, 1881, having outlived her husband for fourteen years. They had born to them six sons and six daughters, the sons, Ralph, Samuel, William, Robert, George and Edward, all having passed out of life. Ralph and William were soldiers in the Civil War. All the daughters of the family survive, as follows: Kate, who is the widow of E. B. Cassilly; Mary, who IS the widow of William H. Tiers, residing at Philadelphia; Meta, who married Chandler Robbins, residing at Springfield; Eleanor, Rose and Virginia, residing on the homestead in Moorefield Township.

Major Hunt took a deep interest in politics and public matters prior to the Civil War and was a zealous supporter of Stephen A. Douglas. He remained a Democrat in his convictions but never voted the ticket after the defeat of his chosen candidate.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.