Charles H. Crum, one of the leading business men of Quenemo, who has built up a large retail mercantile establishment, was born in Illinois in 1873, the son of H. M. and Virginia C. (Scott) Crum. His father was born and reared in Indiana but came to Kansas in 1873, and located in the Michigan valley. In 1883 he moved to Quenemo and became a merchant. Mr. Crum was always interested in all public questions and politics; for years he was a stanch adherent of the Republican party and was twice elected county commissioner on that ticket. When the Populist party was organized in Kansas he became a Populist and was again elected county commissioner by that party.

Charles Crum was educated in the excellent public schools of the state and after finishing his education learned the mercantile business in his father's store. In 1897 he opened a general mercantile house of his own in Quenemo, and is meeting with gratifying and well deserved success in his chosen vocation. He is interested in the upbuilding of his adopted city and is always liberal in contributing toward all town improvements. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party and he is a prominent figure in local politics. He is a member of the Masonic order and with his family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1899 he married Grace, the daughter of H. Leachman, an Englishman, who, since coming to this country, has been engaged as a carpenter contractor. Mr. and Mrs. Crum have two small children.