BIO: Allison H. CRUM, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark 
<myclarkhistory@hotmail.com>

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 275-276 
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  ALLISON H. CRUM, farmer, Markleysburg, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born near 
Paradise Furnace, Tod township, Huntingdon county, September 5, 1840; son of 
Nicholas and Minerva (Houck) Crum.  His great-grandfather, Nicholas Crum, was a 
native of Germany and a pioneer settler in Tod township.  Here he erected a log 
house, a barn, and in 1785 a flour-mill, one of the first mills in the county.  
While taking a load of flour to Baltimore he died suddenly at Columbia, Pa., and 
was buried there.  His son, Henry Crum, was a native of Huntingdon county, and a 
miller.  He married Miss Hannah Kelley, born near Cassville, and of Scotch-Irish 
descent.  Their children are: Anthony, Nicholas; Washington; Ellen; Miranda; 
Margaret; Silas; Mahala and Catharine.  Mr. Crum was an old line Whig, and a 
member of the Lutheran church.  He died in 1830, his wife in 1827.  His brother 
Frederick took part in the war of 1812.  His second son, Nicholas Crum, was born 
in Tod township, Huntingdon county, in 1809, and educated in subscription 
schools.  He became a thorough business man.  For twenty-five years he was 
associated with Reuben Trexler, of Paradise Furnace, in the milling business.  
Late in life he purchased a farm of 330 acres in Tod township, on which he 
planted an orchard and made many improvements.  Nicholas Crum was married to 
Miss Minerva Houck, of Union township, June 3, 1838. She was a daughter of 
Elijah Houck, a farmer of Scotch-Irish descent.  Their children were: Mahala, 
who died in infancy; Allison H.; Sarah A., deceased wife of A. Plummer, of 
Markleysburg; Huston E., of Warrensburg, Mo.; Orbison B., of Denver, Col.; 
Henderson, deceased; Jackson, of Altoona; Nelson, deceased; Madison M., of North 
Dakota; Simpson A., of Pittsburg; Watson, of Benns Creek, Cambria county; and 
Ida L.  Mr. Crum was an old line Whig; he helped to form the Republican party in 
Tod township, and served as auditor, supervisor and school director.  He was a 
deacon and elder in the Lutheran church.  He died near Grants Mill, in Mifflin 
county, July 23, 1878.  His wife resides in Marklesburg. 
  Allison H. Crum received his primary education in the public schools of Tod 
township, in a log school house with the slab benches so common in the early 
days, and completed his training at the Cassville Seminary.  For ten years he 
assisted his father in the mill and then worked six years on the farm.  In 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Jacob Higgins and Capt. H. H. Gregg.  He was 
discharged May 11, 1863, at the expiration of his term, and re-enlisted February 
26, 1864, in Company K, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Colonel 
Higgins and Capt. J. H. Boring; was discharged as sergeant October 31, 1865. He 
participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Maryland Heights, 
Snicker's Gap; Winchester, August 17, 1864: Opequan Creek, Berryville, 
Charlestown, where his horse was shot from under him, near Halltown; 
Martinsburg, August 31, 1864; Stephens' Depot, Darksville; Martinsburg again on 
September 18, 1864; also Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Mount 
Jackson, Brown Gap, Mount Vernon and Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864.  He was 
promoted to corporal June 16, 1864, and made sergeant in 1865.  During his long 
and active service he was never sick or wounded, but was wounded in 1869 by the 
accidental discharge of a gun in his own hands. 
  Allison H. Crum was married in March, 1866, to Mary M., daughter of Amos 
Clark, of Tod township.  They had two children Arthelda Celesta, deceased; and 
one who died in infancy.  Mrs. Crum died under touching circumstances July 31, 
1868.  On September 19th, 1871, Mr. Crum married, secondly, Mary J. Boyer, by 
whom he had six children Holly C.; Melvin B., killed by lightning in 1895 while 
engaged in ploughing; Eddie, deceased; Charles N., on homestead; Mabel C., 
deceased; and Henry H. 
  Mr. Crum was a member of George Simpson Post, No. 44, G.A.R., of Huntingdon, 
and the A.P.A. Council of the same place.  He is an active Republican, and was 
candidate for sheriff in 1895, was school director twelve years, burgess of 
Marklesburg one term, member of the town council four terms, and also street 
commissioner.  He has served as deacon in the Lutheran church and has been a 
teacher in the Sunday-school for twenty-five years.  At this writing is serving 
his fifth term as Sunday-school superintendent.  He is corresponding secretary 
of the Woodcock Valley Sunday-school Association, and takes a deep interest in 
educational matters.  Through the efforts of Mr. Crum the Matthew G. Isett Post, 
No. 635, G.A.R., of Marklesburg, has been organized, and to this Post Mr. Crum 
has since been transferred.