My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM CRABILL, Jr. Within the bounds of Clark County no family can be found whose members are better representatives of the best element of society and agriculturism than that of which our subject is a member. Several members of the family occupy a foremost rank in their respective communities, to which they have been raised by their intelligence, courtesy, uprightness and energy. The subject of this sketch has an abundance of these qualities, and is highly respected by his neighbors and townsmen, who are so thoroughly acquainted with his character and useful life.

It may be well to devote a brief space to the main events in the lives of the parents of our subject, both of whom were natives of Clark County, and spent almost their entire lives within its bounds. Thomas V. Crabill opened his eyes to the light in Moorefield Township, November 2, 1810, growing to manhood there and marrying a lady of the same township. This lady was Miss Sydney Yeazell, whose natal day was February 6, 1815, and who is yet living and quite advanced in years. Their marriage rites were celebrated January 31, 1833, and for more than a quarter of a century they shared each other’s joys and sorrows, the husband being called hence September 5, 1881. Their family consisted of fourteen children, of whom William Crabill, Jr., is the eldest.

The subject of this sketch first saw the light of day in Springfield Township, Clark County, March 15, 1834, and grew to manhood there. He has resided in this county all his life with the exception of one year when he was quite young, during which his parents lived in Illinois. He received a common-school education, and early engaged in agricultural pursuits, beginning his career as a farmer on rented land. For fourteen years he worked on as a renter, being then able to purchase one hundred acres at $75 per acre. He now has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres on section 20, on which a fine set of buildings has been erected and various substantial improvements made. His residence is one of the beautiful farmhouses of the township, its attractive external appearance giving promise that the interior will be both comfortable and pleasant. The competence which Mr. Crabill has secured, and the substantial footing he has among business men, is the best proof of his ability in worldly affairs.

The wife of Mr. Crabill was in her maidenhood Miss Sarah E. Wise. She was born in Clark County, March 6, 1841. and in Madison Township, November 1, 1860, became the wife of our subject. She is a worthy companion for one of her husband’s character, and has been a devoted mother to the children who have been given her, not neglecting deeds of kindness among her neighbors, by whom she is highly regarded. She is the mother of eight children — Joseph, who married Mary Hinkle; William E., Lizzie, John, Hattie, Alice, Elza and May. All are living except John, who died in his fifth year.

Mr. Crabill has held some school offices, and has taken quite an active part in political affairs, being a strong Republican. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church for several years, but in 1888 they united with the Second Lutheran Church, of which their children — Joseph, William, Lizzie and Hattie, are also members. Mr. Crabill was one of the building committee of Fletcher Chapel, and took an active part in building that edifice; he is one of the Board of Trustees of the church and Treasurer of the Committee.