P. P. Crabill

As printed in 1908

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 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.