A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative ..., Volume 2 edited by George Frederick Wright
George E. Crisp. The record of a sterling citizen, a soldier, business man, public administrator, and one who played all the varied parts in his life worthily and faithfully, came to a close in the death of George E. Crisp at Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, July 27, 1912. He had been a resident of Lorain County nearly all of the sixty-eight years of his life. Probably the work for which he most deserved the gratitude of his fellow citizens was his long service in connection with the Elyria Water Works. Upon him devolved the responsibility of superintending the construction of that magnificent plant by which the city is now supplied with pure water from Lake Erie. Perhaps the characteristic by which he was best known among his fellow men was his quiet efficiency, and wherever the path of duty led him, in war or in peace, in business or in public office, at home or in those varied relations which exist between man and man, he was guided by a firm sense of responsibility and proved himself faithful in all those manifold small duties which make up the sum of a life's achievement.
A native of England, he was born in the City of Northampton, May 25, 1844, being one of seven children. His brother William died in Elyria only a short time before the death of George E. Crisp, and the latter was survived by his sister, Mrs. William Henson of Elyria, and his brother, J. A. Crisp of Jefferson. A short time after his birth, his parents considering well their own circumstances and the needs of their rising family, set out from England to get the better opportunities of America. They engaged passage on a vessel, but their mother, on coming to the docks, refused to embark, considering that the ship was unseaworthy, and her judgment was well founded since the boat was never heard of after it left England. The following day the little family went on board another vessel, which was buffeted by adverse winds so that the voyage required nearly twice the usual time for making such a trip. They finally landed at New York three months after leaving England. From New York City they came to Lorain County, settling in Avon Township, where the father engaged in farming. Six years later he died of typhoid fever, leaving his widow to face the world alone with her young children. She succeeded in keeping her family together and reared them to lives of usefulness and high ideals.
From these circumstances it can be understood that the early life of George E. Crisp was one of considerable hardship. He worked as soon as his young strength permitted and gained his education by somewhat irregular attendance at the country schools. At the age of seventeen he moved to Elyria and became an apprentice in the firm of John Topliff. and after completing his term was given credentials as an efficient blacksmith. He subsequently had to leave that line of work since it affected his eyesight.
During the Civil war Mr. Crisp enlisted May 2, 1864, in Company K of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in service with his regiment until mustered out with the rank of corporal at Camp Chase, Columbus, September 1, 1864. He was with his regiment in the engagements at Bolivar, Marye Heights, Harpers Ferry and under General Sigel against General Early on July 4-7, 1864; was one of those who charged the enemy at John Brown's Schoolhouse; was in the skirmishes at Opequan Creek Bridge, at Harpers Ferry and Marye Heights, and was engaged in guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. While on the latter duty a portion of his regiment was surrounded at North Mountain and 250 men were captured, half of whom subsequently died in Confederate prisons. Mr. Crisp was with his company every day during the term of service, which, though brief, was characterized by that fidelity which was a mark of his every undertaking in public life.
In May, 1868, at Montezuma, Iowa, Mr. Crisp married Miss Mary L. Wyman and three months later they returned to Elyria, and thereafter that city was continuously his home until his death. From this union four children were born: Albert B., Harry E., Herbert G., and Ernest J.
After his marriage and permanent settlement at Elyria, Mr. Crisp engaged in the wholesale notion business. He dealt with merchants in the territory south and east of Cleveland and his route even extended into Western Pennsylvania. He called on his trade, carrying his stock with him in a large wagon, known as a "Peddling Wagon." He kept up the stock in the wagon by having goods shipped to him, in advance, along the route. He was then known as a "Yankee Notion Peddler" but soon this method became too slow, the wagon was discarded, and selling was done entirely by samples carried in a case. Thus Mr. Crisp was one of the pioneer traveling salesmen of this section. This business gave him a wide acquaintance and then as always he relied upon those solid, old time-tried commercial rules which have ever been the foundation of true success, and thus he developed an important jobbing business for himself, and continued traveling in its interest until 1899.
In the latter year Mr. Crisp succeeded Mr. D. M. Clark as superintendent of the Elyria Gas & Water Company, the plant being then owned by the Berry Brothers of Detroit. For fourteen years he filled that position, and during the last four years was in the employ of the city.
An indication of his thorough public spirit is found in the fact that, while in the employ of private interests, he was one of the strong advocates of the city-owned plant, and was always a firm believer in municipally owned public utilities. During the construction of the lake water system, he was superintendent and gave constant and careful supervision to the work which has made Elyria's waterworks one of the best in the country. Those who are most familiar with his work in that position realize that every user and patron of the local water system is a debtor to the man who exercised such vigilance during the constructive period of that important utility. On retiring from the office of superintendent of the waterworks in 1904, Mr. Crisp gave his time to the interests of the Crisp Paper Company. tne jobbing business developed by him prior to 1889 and was its business representative until his death.
The late Mr. Crisp was held in high regard for his excellent judgment and the studious care which he gave to every duty, and these qualities, combined with his absolute integrity, enabled him to render important service to his community. He served four years as a member of the city council and two years on the board of public service, and was also for sixteen years a member of the board of education, being chairman of its building committee. Through his efforts the extensive grounds of the Fifteenth Street and Jefferson Street buildings were purchased. Aside from his business and public duties, Mr. Crisp was devoted to his church and home. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elyria in 1874, and from 1882 until his death, gave faithful service as one of its trustees. He was also a member of Richard Allen Post, G. A. R., which had charge of a part of the funeral services following his death. Mr. Crisp was survived by his wife and two sons, Albert B., and Ernest J. Crisp, his sons Herbert G. and Harry E. Crisp, having died in 1910.
(submitted by Msmith #47320929)
George E. Crisp. The record of a sterling citizen, a soldier, business man, public administrator, and one who played all the varied parts in his life worthily and faithfully, came to a close in the death of George E. Crisp at Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, July 27, 1912. He had been a resident of Lorain County nearly all of the sixty-eight years of his life. Probably the work for which he most deserved the gratitude of his fellow citizens was his long service in connection with the Elyria Water Works. Upon him devolved the responsibility of superintending the construction of that magnificent plant by which the city is now supplied with pure water from Lake Erie. Perhaps the characteristic by which he was best known among his fellow men was his quiet efficiency, and wherever the path of duty led him, in war or in peace, in business or in public office, at home or in those varied relations which exist between man and man, he was guided by a firm sense of responsibility and proved himself faithful in all those manifold small duties which make up the sum of a life's achievement.
A native of England, he was born in the City of Northampton, May 25, 1844, being one of seven children. His brother William died in Elyria only a short time before the death of George E. Crisp, and the latter was survived by his sister, Mrs. William Henson of Elyria, and his brother, J. A. Crisp of Jefferson. A short time after his birth, his parents considering well their own circumstances and the needs of their rising family, set out from England to get the better opportunities of America. They engaged passage on a vessel, but their mother, on coming to the docks, refused to embark, considering that the ship was unseaworthy, and her judgment was well founded since the boat was never heard of after it left England. The following day the little family went on board another vessel, which was buffeted by adverse winds so that the voyage required nearly twice the usual time for making such a trip. They finally landed at New York three months after leaving England. From New York City they came to Lorain County, settling in Avon Township, where the father engaged in farming. Six years later he died of typhoid fever, leaving his widow to face the world alone with her young children. She succeeded in keeping her family together and reared them to lives of usefulness and high ideals.
From these circumstances it can be understood that the early life of George E. Crisp was one of considerable hardship. He worked as soon as his young strength permitted and gained his education by somewhat irregular attendance at the country schools. At the age of seventeen he moved to Elyria and became an apprentice in the firm of John Topliff. and after completing his term was given credentials as an efficient blacksmith. He subsequently had to leave that line of work since it affected his eyesight.
During the Civil war Mr. Crisp enlisted May 2, 1864, in Company K of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in service with his regiment until mustered out with the rank of corporal at Camp Chase, Columbus, September 1, 1864. He was with his regiment in the engagements at Bolivar, Marye Heights, Harpers Ferry and under General Sigel against General Early on July 4-7, 1864; was one of those who charged the enemy at John Brown's Schoolhouse; was in the skirmishes at Opequan Creek Bridge, at Harpers Ferry and Marye Heights, and was engaged in guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. While on the latter duty a portion of his regiment was surrounded at North Mountain and 250 men were captured, half of whom subsequently died in Confederate prisons. Mr. Crisp was with his company every day during the term of service, which, though brief, was characterized by that fidelity which was a mark of his every undertaking in public life.
In May, 1868, at Montezuma, Iowa, Mr. Crisp married Miss Mary L. Wyman and three months later they returned to Elyria, and thereafter that city was continuously his home until his death. From this union four children were born: Albert B., Harry E., Herbert G., and Ernest J.
After his marriage and permanent settlement at Elyria, Mr. Crisp engaged in the wholesale notion business. He dealt with merchants in the territory south and east of Cleveland and his route even extended into Western Pennsylvania. He called on his trade, carrying his stock with him in a large wagon, known as a "Peddling Wagon." He kept up the stock in the wagon by having goods shipped to him, in advance, along the route. He was then known as a "Yankee Notion Peddler" but soon this method became too slow, the wagon was discarded, and selling was done entirely by samples carried in a case. Thus Mr. Crisp was one of the pioneer traveling salesmen of this section. This business gave him a wide acquaintance and then as always he relied upon those solid, old time-tried commercial rules which have ever been the foundation of true success, and thus he developed an important jobbing business for himself, and continued traveling in its interest until 1899.
In the latter year Mr. Crisp succeeded Mr. D. M. Clark as superintendent of the Elyria Gas & Water Company, the plant being then owned by the Berry Brothers of Detroit. For fourteen years he filled that position, and during the last four years was in the employ of the city.
An indication of his thorough public spirit is found in the fact that, while in the employ of private interests, he was one of the strong advocates of the city-owned plant, and was always a firm believer in municipally owned public utilities. During the construction of the lake water system, he was superintendent and gave constant and careful supervision to the work which has made Elyria's waterworks one of the best in the country. Those who are most familiar with his work in that position realize that every user and patron of the local water system is a debtor to the man who exercised such vigilance during the constructive period of that important utility. On retiring from the office of superintendent of the waterworks in 1904, Mr. Crisp gave his time to the interests of the Crisp Paper Company. tne jobbing business developed by him prior to 1889 and was its business representative until his death.
The late Mr. Crisp was held in high regard for his excellent judgment and the studious care which he gave to every duty, and these qualities, combined with his absolute integrity, enabled him to render important service to his community. He served four years as a member of the city council and two years on the board of public service, and was also for sixteen years a member of the board of education, being chairman of its building committee. Through his efforts the extensive grounds of the Fifteenth Street and Jefferson Street buildings were purchased. Aside from his business and public duties, Mr. Crisp was devoted to his church and home. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elyria in 1874, and from 1882 until his death, gave faithful service as one of its trustees. He was also a member of Richard Allen Post, G. A. R., which had charge of a part of the funeral services following his death. Mr. Crisp was survived by his wife and two sons, Albert B., and Ernest J. Crisp, his sons Herbert G. and Harry E. Crisp, having died in 1910.
(submitted by Msmith #47320929)
A Standard History of Lorain County, Ohio: An Authentic Narrative ..., Volume 2 edited by George Frederick Wright
George E. Crisp. The record of a sterling citizen, a soldier, business man, public administrator, and one who played all the varied parts in his life worthily and faithfully, came to a close in the death of George E. Crisp at Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, July 27, 1912. He had been a resident of Lorain County nearly all of the sixty-eight years of his life. Probably the work for which he most deserved the gratitude of his fellow citizens was his long service in connection with the Elyria Water Works. Upon him devolved the responsibility of superintending the construction of that magnificent plant by which the city is now supplied with pure water from Lake Erie. Perhaps the characteristic by which he was best known among his fellow men was his quiet efficiency, and wherever the path of duty led him, in war or in peace, in business or in public office, at home or in those varied relations which exist between man and man, he was guided by a firm sense of responsibility and proved himself faithful in all those manifold small duties which make up the sum of a life's achievement.
A native of England, he was born in the City of Northampton, May 25, 1844, being one of seven children. His brother William died in Elyria only a short time before the death of George E. Crisp, and the latter was survived by his sister, Mrs. William Henson of Elyria, and his brother, J. A. Crisp of Jefferson. A short time after his birth, his parents considering well their own circumstances and the needs of their rising family, set out from England to get the better opportunities of America. They engaged passage on a vessel, but their mother, on coming to the docks, refused to embark, considering that the ship was unseaworthy, and her judgment was well founded since the boat was never heard of after it left England. The following day the little family went on board another vessel, which was buffeted by adverse winds so that the voyage required nearly twice the usual time for making such a trip. They finally landed at New York three months after leaving England. From New York City they came to Lorain County, settling in Avon Township, where the father engaged in farming. Six years later he died of typhoid fever, leaving his widow to face the world alone with her young children. She succeeded in keeping her family together and reared them to lives of usefulness and high ideals.
From these circumstances it can be understood that the early life of George E. Crisp was one of considerable hardship. He worked as soon as his young strength permitted and gained his education by somewhat irregular attendance at the country schools. At the age of seventeen he moved to Elyria and became an apprentice in the firm of John Topliff. and after completing his term was given credentials as an efficient blacksmith. He subsequently had to leave that line of work since it affected his eyesight.
During the Civil war Mr. Crisp enlisted May 2, 1864, in Company K of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in service with his regiment until mustered out with the rank of corporal at Camp Chase, Columbus, September 1, 1864. He was with his regiment in the engagements at Bolivar, Marye Heights, Harpers Ferry and under General Sigel against General Early on July 4-7, 1864; was one of those who charged the enemy at John Brown's Schoolhouse; was in the skirmishes at Opequan Creek Bridge, at Harpers Ferry and Marye Heights, and was engaged in guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. While on the latter duty a portion of his regiment was surrounded at North Mountain and 250 men were captured, half of whom subsequently died in Confederate prisons. Mr. Crisp was with his company every day during the term of service, which, though brief, was characterized by that fidelity which was a mark of his every undertaking in public life.
In May, 1868, at Montezuma, Iowa, Mr. Crisp married Miss Mary L. Wyman and three months later they returned to Elyria, and thereafter that city was continuously his home until his death. From this union four children were born: Albert B., Harry E., Herbert G., and Ernest J.
After his marriage and permanent settlement at Elyria, Mr. Crisp engaged in the wholesale notion business. He dealt with merchants in the territory south and east of Cleveland and his route even extended into Western Pennsylvania. He called on his trade, carrying his stock with him in a large wagon, known as a "Peddling Wagon." He kept up the stock in the wagon by having goods shipped to him, in advance, along the route. He was then known as a "Yankee Notion Peddler" but soon this method became too slow, the wagon was discarded, and selling was done entirely by samples carried in a case. Thus Mr. Crisp was one of the pioneer traveling salesmen of this section. This business gave him a wide acquaintance and then as always he relied upon those solid, old time-tried commercial rules which have ever been the foundation of true success, and thus he developed an important jobbing business for himself, and continued traveling in its interest until 1899.
In the latter year Mr. Crisp succeeded Mr. D. M. Clark as superintendent of the Elyria Gas & Water Company, the plant being then owned by the Berry Brothers of Detroit. For fourteen years he filled that position, and during the last four years was in the employ of the city.
An indication of his thorough public spirit is found in the fact that, while in the employ of private interests, he was one of the strong advocates of the city-owned plant, and was always a firm believer in municipally owned public utilities. During the construction of the lake water system, he was superintendent and gave constant and careful supervision to the work which has made Elyria's waterworks one of the best in the country. Those who are most familiar with his work in that position realize that every user and patron of the local water system is a debtor to the man who exercised such vigilance during the constructive period of that important utility. On retiring from the office of superintendent of the waterworks in 1904, Mr. Crisp gave his time to the interests of the Crisp Paper Company. tne jobbing business developed by him prior to 1889 and was its business representative until his death.
The late Mr. Crisp was held in high regard for his excellent judgment and the studious care which he gave to every duty, and these qualities, combined with his absolute integrity, enabled him to render important service to his community. He served four years as a member of the city council and two years on the board of public service, and was also for sixteen years a member of the board of education, being chairman of its building committee. Through his efforts the extensive grounds of the Fifteenth Street and Jefferson Street buildings were purchased. Aside from his business and public duties, Mr. Crisp was devoted to his church and home. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elyria in 1874, and from 1882 until his death, gave faithful service as one of its trustees. He was also a member of Richard Allen Post, G. A. R., which had charge of a part of the funeral services following his death. Mr. Crisp was survived by his wife and two sons, Albert B., and Ernest J. Crisp, his sons Herbert G. and Harry E. Crisp, having died in 1910.
(submitted by Msmith #47320929)
George E. Crisp. The record of a sterling citizen, a soldier, business man, public administrator, and one who played all the varied parts in his life worthily and faithfully, came to a close in the death of George E. Crisp at Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, July 27, 1912. He had been a resident of Lorain County nearly all of the sixty-eight years of his life. Probably the work for which he most deserved the gratitude of his fellow citizens was his long service in connection with the Elyria Water Works. Upon him devolved the responsibility of superintending the construction of that magnificent plant by which the city is now supplied with pure water from Lake Erie. Perhaps the characteristic by which he was best known among his fellow men was his quiet efficiency, and wherever the path of duty led him, in war or in peace, in business or in public office, at home or in those varied relations which exist between man and man, he was guided by a firm sense of responsibility and proved himself faithful in all those manifold small duties which make up the sum of a life's achievement.
A native of England, he was born in the City of Northampton, May 25, 1844, being one of seven children. His brother William died in Elyria only a short time before the death of George E. Crisp, and the latter was survived by his sister, Mrs. William Henson of Elyria, and his brother, J. A. Crisp of Jefferson. A short time after his birth, his parents considering well their own circumstances and the needs of their rising family, set out from England to get the better opportunities of America. They engaged passage on a vessel, but their mother, on coming to the docks, refused to embark, considering that the ship was unseaworthy, and her judgment was well founded since the boat was never heard of after it left England. The following day the little family went on board another vessel, which was buffeted by adverse winds so that the voyage required nearly twice the usual time for making such a trip. They finally landed at New York three months after leaving England. From New York City they came to Lorain County, settling in Avon Township, where the father engaged in farming. Six years later he died of typhoid fever, leaving his widow to face the world alone with her young children. She succeeded in keeping her family together and reared them to lives of usefulness and high ideals.
From these circumstances it can be understood that the early life of George E. Crisp was one of considerable hardship. He worked as soon as his young strength permitted and gained his education by somewhat irregular attendance at the country schools. At the age of seventeen he moved to Elyria and became an apprentice in the firm of John Topliff. and after completing his term was given credentials as an efficient blacksmith. He subsequently had to leave that line of work since it affected his eyesight.
During the Civil war Mr. Crisp enlisted May 2, 1864, in Company K of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in service with his regiment until mustered out with the rank of corporal at Camp Chase, Columbus, September 1, 1864. He was with his regiment in the engagements at Bolivar, Marye Heights, Harpers Ferry and under General Sigel against General Early on July 4-7, 1864; was one of those who charged the enemy at John Brown's Schoolhouse; was in the skirmishes at Opequan Creek Bridge, at Harpers Ferry and Marye Heights, and was engaged in guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. While on the latter duty a portion of his regiment was surrounded at North Mountain and 250 men were captured, half of whom subsequently died in Confederate prisons. Mr. Crisp was with his company every day during the term of service, which, though brief, was characterized by that fidelity which was a mark of his every undertaking in public life.
In May, 1868, at Montezuma, Iowa, Mr. Crisp married Miss Mary L. Wyman and three months later they returned to Elyria, and thereafter that city was continuously his home until his death. From this union four children were born: Albert B., Harry E., Herbert G., and Ernest J.
After his marriage and permanent settlement at Elyria, Mr. Crisp engaged in the wholesale notion business. He dealt with merchants in the territory south and east of Cleveland and his route even extended into Western Pennsylvania. He called on his trade, carrying his stock with him in a large wagon, known as a "Peddling Wagon." He kept up the stock in the wagon by having goods shipped to him, in advance, along the route. He was then known as a "Yankee Notion Peddler" but soon this method became too slow, the wagon was discarded, and selling was done entirely by samples carried in a case. Thus Mr. Crisp was one of the pioneer traveling salesmen of this section. This business gave him a wide acquaintance and then as always he relied upon those solid, old time-tried commercial rules which have ever been the foundation of true success, and thus he developed an important jobbing business for himself, and continued traveling in its interest until 1899.
In the latter year Mr. Crisp succeeded Mr. D. M. Clark as superintendent of the Elyria Gas & Water Company, the plant being then owned by the Berry Brothers of Detroit. For fourteen years he filled that position, and during the last four years was in the employ of the city.
An indication of his thorough public spirit is found in the fact that, while in the employ of private interests, he was one of the strong advocates of the city-owned plant, and was always a firm believer in municipally owned public utilities. During the construction of the lake water system, he was superintendent and gave constant and careful supervision to the work which has made Elyria's waterworks one of the best in the country. Those who are most familiar with his work in that position realize that every user and patron of the local water system is a debtor to the man who exercised such vigilance during the constructive period of that important utility. On retiring from the office of superintendent of the waterworks in 1904, Mr. Crisp gave his time to the interests of the Crisp Paper Company. tne jobbing business developed by him prior to 1889 and was its business representative until his death.
The late Mr. Crisp was held in high regard for his excellent judgment and the studious care which he gave to every duty, and these qualities, combined with his absolute integrity, enabled him to render important service to his community. He served four years as a member of the city council and two years on the board of public service, and was also for sixteen years a member of the board of education, being chairman of its building committee. Through his efforts the extensive grounds of the Fifteenth Street and Jefferson Street buildings were purchased. Aside from his business and public duties, Mr. Crisp was devoted to his church and home. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elyria in 1874, and from 1882 until his death, gave faithful service as one of its trustees. He was also a member of Richard Allen Post, G. A. R., which had charge of a part of the funeral services following his death. Mr. Crisp was survived by his wife and two sons, Albert B., and Ernest J. Crisp, his sons Herbert G. and Harry E. Crisp, having died in 1910.
(submitted by Msmith #47320929)
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