Charles William Crimm, a prominent citizen of Council Grove, was born at New Philadelphia, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1852, the first son of Andrew and Margaret (Hoag) Crimm. Andrew Crimm was a native of Virginia, born there in 1821. When he was ten years of age his parents removed to Ohio, where he was reared and educated. After leaving school he engaged in farming with his father, and followed that vocation. Margaret Crimm was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1828, the daughter of Scotch parents, who came to America and settled in Ohio at an early day. Charles was educated in the public schools of Ohio and engaged in the mercantile business there until 1878, when he determined to seek his fortunes in the growing west and came to Kansas. He located at Council Grove and opened a harness factory and store, which became one of the leading mercantile establishments of its kind. In 1889 Mr. Crimm disposed of his business and for some years was connected with different concerns in Council Grove as a salesman.

Mr. Crimm has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1878, was Ellen O. James, the foster daughter of E. S. Ferguson, a merchant of Ulrichsville, Ohio. Two children were born to this union—Margaret Ferguson, born Dec. 24, 1879, and Bernice Hoag, born March 14, 1885. The latter has been a teacher in the Council Grove schools since 1903. Mrs. Crimm died on July 10, 1893, and on Dec. 8, 1897, Mr. Crimm married Ella May Street, the first daughter of Linney Howard Street of Council Grove. Mrs. Crimm was born in Ohio, Feb. 7, 1863. Her father was a farmer, who enlisted in the Union army and was killed during the Civil war. In 1873 she came to Kansas with her mother, who is now Mrs. Burns of Topeka. They located in Council Grove, where Mrs. Crimm was engaged in the millinery business for eight years previous to her marriage. An only brother, William R. Street, lived in Iowa. He died, April 19, 1897, at Hinneston, Iowa, leaving a wife and three children. Mr. Crimm is a Master Mason, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and both he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church and Order of the Eastern Star. The family occupies the house in Council Grove that is seen in the picture which shows the old Indian council oak.

Charles (Karl) Crimm was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He came to America with the forces of General Lafayette and after the war settled in Virginia. He was the great-grandfather of Mr. Crimm, of this review.