My Genealogy Hound

JAMES T. CRUMBAUGH, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 18; P. O. Le Roy. The birth of this gentleman may be considered as one of the earliest in McLean Co.; he was born in Empire Township, McLean Co., Jan. 24, 1832; he was a twin brother of Daniel T. Crumbaugh and a son of Daniel and Martha (Robinson) Crumbaugh, who were among the earliest settlers of McLean Co., locating in Empire Township in the fall of 1830, and of whom a more extended mention is made in another part of this work. James T. remained with his father and followed farming and stock-raising until 21 years of age, when he farmed for himself for two years, upon a part of his father’s farm, and, the following year, he, with his brother, D. T., purchased 160 acres of land, upon Section 13, and put in a crop of 60 acres of wheat, which yielded 30 bushels to the acre, the whole crop being sold in the field, at $1 per bushel; in 1856, he purchased 80 acres of land upon Section 18, West Township, and, the following year, added, by purchase, 120 acres more, which he improved, and, in 1864, he realized $3,500 from the product of his 200 acres, with which he purchased 280 acres adjoining his home farm; in 1867, he purchased 80 acres, and, in 1869, he purchased 160 acres, at $35 per acre, to which, in 1874, he added 74 acres, for which he paid $2,000, cash, making 794 acres in West, and 60 acres in Empire Townships, upon which there is no incumbrance. Mr. Crumbaugh first commenced farming upon rented land, which he followed two years; his capital consisted of one horse; his harness and plows he borrowed of his neighbors; he then, with his brother, D. T., purchased 160 acres of land, upon time, as well as their farming implements, their seeds being purchased from the proceeds of their previous farming. He now owns 854 acres of land, feeds 150 head of cattle and ships his own stock, all of which he has accumulated by his own hard labor and good business management, in which he has been nobly assisted by his amiable wife, to whom he was united in marriage upon the 18th of Sept., 1863; her maiden name was Elizabeth J. Wiley; she was born in Empire Township, McLean Co., Nov. 17, 1841; she was the daughter of James Wiley, one of the early settlers of McLean Co., and of whom a more extended notice is given in the sketch of James S. Wiley, among the biographies of Empire Township. Mr. Crumbaugh expresses much gratitude to his esteemed brother-in-law, Charles Cope, and attributes much of his success in life to the kindness and judgment and advice of that gentleman, and by whom he was generously supplied with money at various times; not to the subject of this sketch alone was his kindness shown, but it extended to the balance of the family, as well as to many others. The biography of Mr. Cope is to be found among the sketches of Empire Township. James T. and Elizabeth Crumbaugh were the parents of one child, which died in infancy.