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Elder William L. Crim, a prominent citizen of Denning Township, was born in Washington County, Ind, December 1, 1829. His father, Jesse, born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1799, settled in Indiana in 1816, and in 1858 came to Illinois. The grandfather, John Crim, of Virginia, was a pioneer of Kentucky, where he was killed by the Indians while in the cornfield at work. Jesse married Lucinda, daughter of George Churchill, formerly of Kentucky, who died near Springfield, IL. Jesse was formerly a merchant at Martinsburg and Greenville, Ind., but afterward a farmer, and settled near the home of our subject, where he died in 1859. The mother, born in Henry County, Ky., died at the home in Franklin County, lL, in 1867. Our subject, the fourth child of six sons and five daughters, was raised on the farm, and the limited education received there he has greatly improved by his studious habits. August 26, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry under Col. Graham, and was engaged in the battles of Strawberry Plains, Dandridge, and actions of less note in East Tennessee, then with Sherman from Dalton to Atlanta. In his early service he was captured by Morgan's men in Kentucky and taken to Libby
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prison, but soon after was paroled. He was on the Stoneman raid from Atlanta to Macon, and just before the surrender he with a small squad cut their way through the enemy's lines and escaped. After sixteen days and nights, mostly without food, he reached Marietta, Ga. June 15, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Pulaski, Tenn. In 1861 he married Mary M., daughter of Rinehart Ratts, a farmer, native of North Carolina. Their children are Alvah M., Charlie W., Susan E., Clara, Louie M. and William Clinton. His wife was born April 9,1841, in Washington County, Ind. He is a Republican, at present candidate for representative, and is a member of the G. A. R. Since 1869 he has been a popular and earnest minister of the Christian Church, of which his wife is a member. He has a fine home and farm of 160 acres in Denning Township.