Tehama County
Biographies
BENTON V. CRUMRINE
BENTON V. CRUMRINE, one of the successful and energetic farmers of this county, is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, born November 20, 1847, the son of Abraham and Sarah A. (Boyd) Crumrine: the former is a native of Pennsylvania, and a millwright by trade, and the latter is a native of Virginia, who moved to Putnam County, Illinois, in 1856. In 1862 the subject of this sketch enlisted in the regular army, the Sixteenth Regiment of United States Infantry, serving as a private soldier nearly three years. He then re-enlisted in the Second United States Infantry, serving until after the close of the war, and during his army service he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Major of his regiment, and was honorably discharged at Livingston, Alabama, in 1867. After his return to Illinois he engaged in the milling business with his father and brother. In 1872 he sold his interest to his brother and associated himself with the coal mines of Bureau County, Illinois. In 1875 he sold his interest in the mines and in the following year came by rail to California, locating near Marysville, and engaged in farming on the Feather River. This enterprise proved a failure, caused by the overflow of the river for two years in succession, inundating his farm and entirely destroying his crops both years. Nothing daunted, however, he looked around to mend his fortune, and in the fall of 1877 he came to Tehama county, landing here without a dollar, but by hard work he has come to the surface, and now resides on his farm of 200 acres, located in the foothills twelve miles west of Corning, where he carries on farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Crumrine was married in La Salle County, Illinois, October 1, 1872, to Miss Ellen R. Barr, whose father was one of the early settlers on the Vermillion River, that State. They have four children: Romeyn E., Mabel H., Burrett and Ralph O. Politically Mr. Crumrine affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes an active part in political matters. He has represented his party in the State and also in County conventions, and at the last election was their candidate for State Assemblyman. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R., and affiliates with the F. & A. M., Moline Lodge, No. 150, and also the A. O. U. W., No. 187, of Tehama.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Wendy Sandino
JOHN SIMPSON
Among the prominent and progressive men in the business circles of Tehama for the past thirty-five years is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Dumfries, Scotland, March 22, 1837, the son of John and Robina (Craik) Simpson, who were of Scotch parentage and emigrated to the United States in 1838, locating in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where our subject was reared and educated. He afterward learned the blacksmith and machinist’s trades, which he followed until 1856, when he came via Panama to California, remaining in San Francisco but a short time. He then came to Tehama and took charge of the shoeing department and repair shops of the old California Stage Company, remaining in their employ until 1868. Mr. Simpson then became the partner of Charles Harvey, now deceased, in 1869, of which firm A. G. Toombs became the third partner, and they conducted a general merchandise business under the firm name of Harvey, Simpson & Company. In 1873 Mr. Simpson withdrew from the firm, taking as his interest the town water-works, which the firm then owned and controlled. His next enterprise was the establishing of an extensive hardware and tin business, carrying a large assortment of crockery, glass, wood and willow ware, also agricultural implements of all kinds. His store is located at the head of Main Street, where he owns one of the best appointed and most complete establishments in this section of the county, carrying a stock the year round of $25,000.
Since Mr. Simpson located in Tehama he has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of the town and county: has now in course of construction, at the head of Main Street, a large tank about sixty-two feet above the town level, with a capacity of 20,000 gallons of water, which is intended principally for fire emergencies, and he has also two tanks of small capacity for supplying the town with water. The supply drawn from the Sacramento River by steam power is inexhaustible. In addition to his business property he is the possessor of a fine residence, with beautiful and well-kept grounds, and many choice varieties of citrus and deciduous fruits, under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Simpson is one of Tehama’s enterprising and public-spirited men. Has represented the county in the Legislature in 1873-’74, and was appointed County Supervisor by Governor Stoneman in 1884. His sons, John and George, are employed with him in business, and now have charge of Wells, Fargo & Company’s express and postal telegraph system of Tehama.
Mr. Simpson was joined in wedlock at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1856, with Miss Jeannette McNeal, a native of the Keystone State and of Scotch parentage. They have six children, of whom four are deceased. Politically Mr. Simpson is a Democrat and takes an active part in the local matters and also affiliated with the F. & A. M., Moline Lodge, No. 150, and the A. O. U. W., Tehama Lodge, No. 187, of Tehama.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Wendy Sandino