Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois
Originally Published 1885
Chapman Bros, Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 628

William Crum, a retired farmer at Sterling, was born April 18, 1822, in Indiana, and was the son of William and Rosanna (Whitinger) Crum, natives of Pennsylvania who emigrated that year to Indiana. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of 12 children in his father's family, and was only eight months old when his father died. He was brought up on the farm and in attendance at school until 1838, when he left home and came to Genesee Township, this county. Buying a quarter-section of land as soon as it came into market, he followed agricultural pursuits upon the same for 28 years; then for six years, he was engaged in general mercantile business at Galt; selling out, he purchased a farm of 106 acres in Hopkins Township, and resided upon it nine years; and finally, in 1884, he moved to Sterling, occupying a residence which he purchased at the corner of Eighth and Market Streets.

May 14, 1843, Mr. Crum was married to Emeline Wick, a native of Ohio, and they had one child, Nancy E, who married Joseph M.  Sowles and has five children, - William, Arthur H., Lulu A., Bertha M. and Mary E. Mrs. Crum died March 25, 1844, in Genesee Township, this county, and Mr. Crum, for his second wife, marrie Rachel M. Lee, Sept. 26, 1846. She was born in Ohio, and died Aug. 11, 1881, in Galt, this county. May 28, 1884, is the date of Mr. Crum's marriage to his present wife, Latina L. Patrick, a native of Illinois.

Mr. Crum's political views are Democratic, and both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is  a liberal, intelligent Christian, and therefore a useful and worthy citizen.