James Tally
Crim
The name that heads this sketch has long been a
familiar one in Shelby county on account of the fact that the founders
were among the pioneer settlers of this section, and the descendents
have made this their home continuously from the early days of the
county's history. James Tally Crim was born in Union Township, this
county, June 7 1840. He is the son of Lewis and Charity (Linville)
Crim, both of whom were natives of Guilford county, North Carolina.
Lewis Crim was born Oct 19, 1797, his forefathers having come from
England, as did also those of Charity Linville. The Linvilles came
over to America on a sailing vessel. The great grandmother died while
crossing the ocean and her body was consigned to the deep. The family
was at one time owners of slaves, but this practice was abandonded before their emigration to Indiana. Lewis Crim and Charity Linville,
who was born June 1, 1797, were married in North Carolina and became
the parents of three children: Nancy, David and George, all now deceased; they were born in North Carolina. This family removed to
Shelby county, Indiana in about 1830, driving through in seven weeks.
Here Mr Crim soon bought school land, cleared it and put it under cultivation.
The county was still in a very primitive state, Indians being
quite numerous, and the usual conditions of pioneer life were their
lot. Six children were born to them after their arrival here: Mary
married Thomas Golden *1, both now deceased, as are also Lewis, John,
Jacob, and Dorothy, James being the only survivor.
Mr. Crim devoted himself to farming and continued at that work
until his death Feb 14, 1859. He was a pronounced Democrat and took
an active part in politics. He was a hard-working, successful and
well known man, and was esteemed by all who knew him. He was a member
of the First Blue Ridge Baptist church, and later of the Christian
Church at Manilla.
James Tally Crim was favored with but meager opportunities for
education, having attended for only two terms a subscription school in
the neighborhood. When twenty years old he started out for himself,
and in 1870 was married to Katherine Stewart, daughter of Samuel and
Sarah (Archibald) Stewart, both natives of Pennsylvania. Katherine
was born in Rush county, Indiana, on Apr 26, 1842, and after the
family came to Indiana they made their home in Rush county, this
state, until a short time before their deaths.
Mr. and Mrs. Crim have become the parents of four children, as follows: Ida was born Jan 5, 1873, and died Sep 20th of the same year;
Edgar E. was born Jun 23, 1874, he married Myrtle Talbert, and has his
home in Shelbyville; Ernest R. was born on Christmas Day, 1878;
Sarenas was born Dec 21, 1883 and married Ethel Sanderfer; they are
the parents of one child, Floyd.
Mr. Crim is quiet and unassuming, and has gained the confidence and
esteem of his neighbors, who have chosen him frequently to fill the
place of Supervisor of the township. His home and farm bear evidence
of energy and thrift, and are his pride, as representing the fruits of
hard work.
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, INDIANA, Edward Chadwick, 1909, page 633.
_____
*1 This Thomas Golden, I believe, should be Thomas Golding, a son of
Thomas Golding and Sarah Brown.-RW
Submitted by Richard Weightman
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