I recently found the obituary for my great-great-grandfather, James McCrum. I am posting
it below. He was the father of Thomas Sabin McCrum, also known as Dick Beckett. Thomas
was married to Charlotte Panina Richardson, Feb 4, 1895 in Grant County. She was a
daughter of Henry and Samira Jane "Jenny" Carroll Richardson. Thomas died in
1915 in Jennings County, Indiana and Charlotte brought their 7 surviving children back to
Grant County and lived near her parents in Puckett.
Their children were Mary, Verna, James, Frank, Ruby, Clifford and Dorothy McCrum.
If any of this sounds familiar, please contact me. I know some of the family members
stayed in the area (I was raised there myself) but I've had no luck finding anyone
else researching.
Here is James McCrum's obituary:
From the Daily Chronicle of Marion, Grant County, Indiana July 18,
1895:
James McCrum
James McCrum was born in Ireland August 19, 1812. He came to America at the age of 23
years, bringing papers of recommendation from some of the principal men of Ireland at that
time. He was by profession a civil engineer. He built Washington street, Indianapolis in
1838. He read, wrote and conversed in four different languages. At the time of his death
he possessed a very old Bible printed in Spanish, which was his favorite language. His
early life was one of considerable venture, having crossed the Atlantic ocean seven times
and the Pacific once. He was brought to this county from Locust Grove, Ohio, the first
day of June by his son, T.S. McCrum, commonly known as "Dick Beckett," who cared
for him in his last hours. Had he lived one month and three days he would have reached
his eighty-third year. The body was interred at the Deer creek cemetery.
Thanks!
Judy Cameron
wefit(a)fwi.com