My Genealogy Hound

William Crum, who is also classed among the pioneers of the county, was born in Cole County, now Moniteau County, in 1833, and was the youngest in a family of eight children born to William and Ruth (nee Sharp) Crum, natives of Virginia. The father was a hatter by trade, and immigrated to Missouri at an early day. He settled on a farm which he improved and also carried on his trade. He died in 1835. William Crum, Jr., had four brothers and three sisters, viz.: George W., William Lee, Peter, Andrew Jackson, Matilda, Ruth and Susan. George W. Crum, who was born in 1819, made three trips across the plains to California. He now resides in the State of Nevada. He owns 4,500 or 5,000 acres of land, and is the largest stock-raiser in the State. William Lee Crum died in the Mexican War, leaving a wife and one child. Andrew J. died in 1885. Ruth and Susan reside in the State of California. William Crum’s mother, after remaining a widow for several years, married Alex. Spencer. To this union was born one child, named Lucy. She married James Sears, who resides in the State of California. Mr. Spencer and wife moved to California, from there to Texas, where the wife died in 1875, and the husband died in 1875 in Missouri. William Crum was reared on the farm and educated in the subscription schools of Moniteau County, Mo. At the age of sixteen he went overland to California with twenty-five or thirty others, and was on the road four months. After reaching that State Mr. Crum engaged in mining and farming, and also embarked in the hay business. He remained in that State for three years, and in 1853 returned to Moniteau County, Mo., by way of the Isthmus. He then engaged in farming for himself, and in 1855 purchased the old homestead of 220 acres, which he has greatly improved. He was married, in Moniteau County, in 1855, to Miss Hannah Letitia Yows, a native of Missouri, and of German descent. To this union were born the following children: George Ann, Edna Marion, Maggie, John, Albert and Balzora. George Ann married Marshal Gregg in 1883, a native of Missouri, and of Scotch descent. He is a carpenter by trade, and now resides in Atchison County, Mo. Edna M. married A. M. Moles in 1885, a native of Missouri. Mr. Moles resides in Clarksburg, Mo., engaged in merchandising and school-teaching. Maggie commenced school-teaching in 1881, and continued that occupation until 1886, since which she has been keeping house for her father. John Albert followed school teaching for two years in Moniteau County, but now resides in Nodaway County, Mo., working for the firm of J. J. Gillinger & Co. Balzora is the youngest of the children, and is living with her father. Mr. Crum lost his excellent wife in 1873. She was thirty-six years old. He has remained a widower. Mr. Crum is now the owner of 413 acres of land, and has been a money loaner ever since he was eighteen years old. He raises a good grade of stock, and is also engaged in buying and selling stock. He is moderate in his political views, but votes with the Democratic party. Socially he is a member of the Agricultural Wheel and treasurer of the same.