William Luther Crislip

William Luther Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴) [440], son of Martin Luther Crislip, was born 10 October 1847, near Philippi, Barbour County, (West) Virginia. He died 19 June 1924, at age 76 years, 7 months, and 29 days. His wife, Mary Jane, was the daughter of William and Eliza (Crites) Frymier. She was born in Upshur County (West) Virginia on 22 May 1847; died 13 April 1935, at age 87 years, 10 months and 21 days. Two documents pertaining to William Frymier’s Civil War Pension can be seen here:

1908 Declaration: Pertaining to William Frymier's Civil War Pension
Gilmer County, West Virginia

1911: Wm. Messenger's Application for Compensation

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William and Mary Jane were married by the Rev. William Ward on 27 October 1867. In the early years of their marriage, they lived at Buckhannon in Upshur County, residing near the college at Buckhannon. Their grandson, Clyde, once commented that his father, Elem, used to ponder the education he might have had, had his parents remained in Buckhannon.

In 1875, William and Mary Jane moved to Spruce Run in Gilmer County, taking up residence in the J. P. Dawson house. They remained at Spruce Run for many years, before moving to Slate in Roane County. William and Mary Jane reportedly died at Slate and were interred in the Rogers-Greathouse Cemetery outside of Spencer.

Deeds dated 1903 and 1913 pertaining to acreage deeded by W.T. Springston to William Luther Crislip’s wife, Mary Jane, can be seen below.

1903 Deed: W.T. Springston to Mary J.Crislip
Roane County Deed Book No. 37, p. 520.

This Deed made this 22 day of October 1903 between W. T. Springston and Cora L. Springston his wife, of the County of Roane and State of West Virginia of the first part and Mary J. Crislip of the County of Gilmer and State of West Virginia of the second part Witnesseth, That for and in consideration of the sum of Fourteen Hundred Dollars ($1400.00) cash in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the said W. T. Springston and Cora L. Springston, his wife, do grant unto the said Mary J. Crislip with covenants of General warranty all that certain lot, tract or parcel of land lying and being in the District of Spencer in the County of Roane and State of West Virginia, on the waters of Slate, a tributary of Spring Creek and bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a stake corner to what was the Eli Radabaugh farm, and running thence N. 1¾ E. 71 poles to a stake on the ridge near where the school house stood, N. 88 ¼ W. 10 poles to a black oak, N. 1 ¾ E. 8 poles to a stake, S. 77 W. 14 poles to hickory, S. 6-8 W 15 poles to a chestnut oak, S. 76 ½ W. 139½ poles to a sour gum thence with an agreed line to a stake with chestnut and hickory pointers on the Eli Radabaugh line S. 87 E. 153 poles to the place of beginning containing fifty-three and one-half (53 ½) acres. The said parties of the first part also sell and convey to the said party of the second part with said lot of land, the individual one-half interest of the said W. T. Springston in one certain small stream grist mill now located and being on the land aforesaid hereby conveyed to said second party. Whereas the said W. T. Springston has heretofore rented to one J. M. Post about 10 or 12 acres of said land, a part of which the said Post has already sowed in wheat and the remainder to be sowed in oats by him next spring, of which wheat and oats raised on said land, the said Springston was to have 1/3 part thereof as a rental for said lands, It is agreed and understood that this conveyance shall in no way effect or disturb said rental to said Post, but that said Mary J. Crislip shall receive the one-third of said wheat and oats raised on said land as the rental therefore, as per contract of rental between said Springston and Post. Said land being now under lease for oil and gas, it is also agreed that the oil rental for the present quarter and to become due and payable on the —

A notation on deed says that the deed was delivered to J. L Crislip on Nov. 18, 1903. It should have read, “to W. L. Crislip…”

1913 Deed: W.T.Springston to Mary J. Crislip

Roane County, West Virginia – Deed Book, No. 31, p. 520.

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Before her death, Mary Jane deeded the acreage procured from W.T. Springston to her son, Roy Moses Crislip. The deed can be seen here:

"William was a rather tall well-built young man when Mary Jane met him. My grandmother told me that he was the most handsome man that she had ever seen. She was inclined to be a little jealous of him and could always see how the other women admired him. She saw him as the best looking man at all the gatherings. As for him, there was never anyone else except Mary Jane.”

"William Luther Crislip was a carpenter as well as a small-scale farmer. Later in life, he learned the harness making and shoe cobbler's trade. He made these by hand to specification. He had customers who were hard to fit with shoes and all of the sewing was done by hand on both the shoes and harness. I used to watch him at his work and listen to many stories about the relatives. I only wish that I had been more interested in what he had to say. This is a quotation of his that I have never forgotten - "Get an education. Be, Do, and Have something." I am sure that he was thinking of his own meager education.”

"My grandfather used to hitch up "Old Min," one of their horses to the buggy and take me to visit some of his folks. He would go to his brother Theodore Riley, who lived several miles away at Penile, West Virginia and to see many of his cousins who lived in the vicinity of Spencer. He was great to go see those first and second cousins of his. Some of them were Romines, Simons, Tuttles, Morfords, Riddles, Clevenger, Springstons, Davises (Jim's and Geary). Also Pet Knotts (Don Knotts, the actor, is his grandson). These folks were related through marriages to Crislip girls. Mrs. Albert Heck of Spencer was a cousin, Dr. Crislip as well as Rom and Cyrus were distant cousins. There were many more family connections that I can't recall at this time. Cyrus Crislip had been a State Representative for several terms.”

"Grandfather had his share of faults and share of hard knocks in life, but to me he was a wonderfully kind and nice person. My memory of him is very dear. My memory of Grandmother is also dear, but I remember her as always being poorly, yet she lived into her nineties and raised eleven children. That's an accomplishment, considering that our modern conveniences were unknown at that time. I can still see her as a little, stooped, old lady going about her housework. She used to let me into her parlor to play the old upright organ. I could only play by ear, but she liked it very much.” James Clyde Crislip, Rock Creek, Ohio.

Grandson, Elem Hugh Crislip recalled:

"Involving those years preceding and including the dreadfully, sorrowful American Civil War, my paternal grandparents were born, grew into adulthood, married, and raised their family.”

"Grandpa, William Luther Crislip and Grandma, Mary Jane née Frymier Crislip, were both of German descent. They lived on a farm located at Spruce Run, West Virginia. This land was cradled by steep slopes on two sides of the property. The house in which they lived set on what was referred to as bottom land. It was surrounded by a barn and other buildings. Here, their ten children were born in this house framed by this picturesque setting.”

"In later years, Grandpa Crislip transferred his family by wagon to a county named Slate Creek Roane. This time the family moved into a large white frame house with many rooms. Although the house wasn’t completely finished, and remained unfinished until Uncle Ted and Uncle Bill, my father’s brothers, willingly consented to complete the structure, sometime later. Their gesture was gratefully appreciated by the family.”

Ca. 1879: Children of William Luther and Mary Jane Frmier Crislip. Left to Right: Elem Talbert, born 1869; Olive Belle, born 1873; Theodore, born 1876; UlSl Grant, born 1868; John, born 1878.

"The parlor was sacred ground. This sanctuary was forbidden to everyone with the exception of special or important adults. Definitely not children or grandchildren! Qualifying as a grandchild and, being a boy at that, I was never permitted to enter. The window shades were kept pulled low behind lace curtains to prevent fading of fabric and color. The floor was carpeted in narrow red, yellow, and black stripes, for warmth. The prominent colors were dark hued. Large print wall paper hung on the walls. Food was never served there, fearful of spills. The parlor had no fireplace and was not heated. I recall opening the always-closed door and quietly tiptoeing into the room. Once inside, I examined a prized ostrich egg setting on a small table, brought back by Uncle Roy from his around the world Navy tour of duty. Also on the table set a stereoscope for viewing post cards. I find it impossible to reflect on Grandma and not remember her parlor. Regardless of how perfect or beautiful parlors had to be, the stuffiest and most uncomfortable and uninviting rooms ever fashioned, in my estimation. Grandma’s parlor was not the exception, but the rule.”

"Grandpa selected a spacious room in the upstairs portion of the dwelling as his work room. He was skilled as a craftsman leather worker. Particularly constructing animal harnesses and peg shoes. Laboring by hand, from materials laid and formed on a wooden last were modeled shoes of variable sizes and designs. Into the shoes were driven wooden pegs and Grandpa used a long hook to assist the last being pulled through conveniently and properly. Completing the lower section of the shoe, a hook knife was used to smooth the pegs inside the sole. The upper portion was assisted by an awl and needle. Harnesses were constructed in the same manner as shoes.”

"A grist mill, driven by a steam engine, used to grind grain graced the property. The mill was located near a circle pond naturally stocked with fish. It is remembered and treasured as a quiet site on which to rest my mind in peace. The Lombardy poplar trees that encircled the pond occasionally casting long shadows across the water and water’s edge, always impressed me as looking supremely beautiful. Years later, I transported three small sprouts from those trees in my car, setting them near our northern boundary line on the front lawn at our home on Brittain Road in Akron, Ohio. The small sprouts grew in what was not fertile soil to a height of thirty feet or better. Although we no longer live there, the house and trees shading the lawn remain today, majestic on the crest of the hill. The years have settled it beautifully. I seldom drive by that I don’t slow down and look up catching my breath with pride and remember my years and that of my own family spent there.”

"A hand dug well lined with moss covered field stone lay nestled near by my grandparent’s home. There, a wooden bucket hung suspended, attached to a long rope cranked on a wooden drum. The rope swept through a metal pulley attached to the underside of the roof sheltering the well. The water was refreshingly ice cold. Grandma also kept her butter and cream down in the well in a separate pail, as was the custom then.”

"My grandparents’ stone-bank cellar stored potatoes, apples and shelves of glass jar canned fruit, among other perishable staples. The smokehouse, entered by front steps, sat directly on top of the cellar. One was greeted by the delicious aroma of country smoked hams and sausages, upon opening the door even a crack. The cellar and smokehouse with the abundance of food and color surely preserved more in our minds than the food and nourishment those walls and that space contained. Doubtless, one couldn’t have tasted better!”

"Priority was given on the property to the woodshed, intended for warmth and fuel, a corncrib for hungry animals, plus fowl, and the family’s own granary. Indeed, their staff of life. Thus, food and warmth assured.”

"Periodically, Grandpa experienced a lull in leather requests and realized the business was not sufficient to support his family. Being apt at carpentry, he then turned his attention to building. It was here the seed were planted for what was later to become my trade and career in life. In those days, Grandpa usually walked many miles daily to and from work, leaving home very early in the morning and returning after sunset. As a carpenter, then, his wage was one dollar a day. Like other employees, engaging in the trades and including the professions, during that period, he was frequently required to accept produce as barter for payment of his services.”

"Py grandparents had great courage and fortitude. From the American pioneer, distinctive individuals such as these were born. I pause to pay honor and tribute to our enduring, hard working, powerfully energetic, conscientious, artfully talented, giving and loving ancestors. Plus many more attributes. What strength and forbearance they displayed.” Elem Hugh Crislip, Tallmadge, Ohio.

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Children of William Luther Crislip and Mary Jane Frymier

• Ulysses S. Grant Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [445], was born in Upshur County, West Virginia on 7 September 1868. Grant married, in 1887, Della Frazier. He died on 6 June 1933. According to the death certificate, Grant died at Purdy’s Run, Shinnston, Harrison County, West Virginia on 5 June 1933. He died of acute ascending paralysis, at age 64 years, 8 months and 29 days.





1898: Elem T. Crislip on leave at
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Elem Talbert Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [458], born in Upshur County, West Virginia, 28 November 1869; died at Hartsgrove, Ashtabula County, Ohio, 14 May 1938; married Emma Arminta Fox, born 18 January 1875 in Harrison County, West Virginia; died 31 January 1963, Madison, Ohio. Emma was the daughter of James Fox and Martha Ann Freeman. Elem Talbert Crislip is believed to have been named after the beloved Barbour County physician, Elam Talbott. Elem and his brothers, John and Ted served in the Spanish-American War, where they were assigned to the Second Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Company L.



• Olive Belle Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [517], born 25 June 1873. “Olive Bell was born at Buckhannon, West Virginia. She married Omer Lynch. They made their home at Clarksburg. They were just far enough away from us so that we didn't know very much about them. Transportation was poor, and I was never to their home. However, in later years, the two older children did visit us at times. I recall Aunt Bell as an elderly person. Perhaps she was not over 50 years old at that time. They had six children - Alma, Cecil, Leslie, Bonnie (son Cambden Lynch), Kilsie (b. ca. 1899), and Cambden. "Alma Lynch stayed with us when we lived in Kenmore, Ohio in 1919. She died quite young with tuberculosis. She had such a bad case of the flu that it turned into T.B. She was a lovely person. Cecil used to come to our place when we lived in Spencer, W. Va.” James Clyde Crislip, Rock Creek, Ohio.












Theodore Crites "Ted" Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [517], was born in Gilmer County, West Virginia on April 17, 1876; died August 4, 1923; married Ethel Jane Ward.

"He grew up in the country and enjoyed country life. He had spent some time in the Spanish American Army and later received a pension, as did my father. He married a distant (3^rd) cousin by the name of Ethel Jane Ward who lived a few miles away from their home. She was a redheaded little woman. She was very nervous and easily upset. Ted moved to Akron and lived there the rest of his life. He became a carpenter contractor and worked at that trade all of his life. His death was caused from the after affects of a porch collapsing on him. He spent his vacations fishing in Canada.” Ibid.

Ted and brothers, Elem and John, served in the Spanish-American War. They were assigned to the Second Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Company L.




• John Luther Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [518], son of Wm. Luther Crislip, was born 14 August 1878; died 27 August 1955; married Hattie Smith. John and brothers, Elem and Ted, served in the Spanish-American War. They were assigned to the Second Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Company L.


















William Wirt Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [519], son of Wm. Luther Crislip, born October 15, 1882; died 1960. Unmarried.

"He was the only member of the family of eleven children with red hair. “Willie,” as the family called him, was one finest young men that I have ever seen or known. He was always kind to every one, and I have always remembered this about him. Uncle Billy, as I called him, never married. He stayed at home and looked after his parents.” James Clyde Crislip, Rock Creek, Ohio.

"Grandfather was confined to the house for several years, due to having poor use of his lower limbs. However, he did manage to get around with two canes, to a degree. Grandmother fell and broke her hip when she was quite old and was bedfast until her death at 90 years. Uncle Billy took care of her like a baby. This went on for many years. When Grandmother passed on, he was left all alone without much future in view. He inherited the home place and a little later he sold it to his brother, Roy. He then went back to Gilmer County where he was born and spent his childhood. He lived close by his first cousins, the Frymier boys. When he died, my brother, Denver attended his funeral and rather than see him poorly buried, took over and paid for it all. His small place was awarded to Denver for his act of kindness. Uncle Billy was well liked by all who really knew him. I have many fond memories of my Uncle Billy.” Ibid.

Billy took an interest in and spent time with his nephews and nieces. Because of his kindness, he was much beloved by them all. In his old age, Denver Crislip recalled how Billy surprised his nephews and nieces by giving them English walnuts for a treat. When they cracked them open, they found hard candies inside! Uncle Billy’s little acts of kindnesses were long remembered.

In 1945, Billy purchased two parcels of real estate from Evelyn Richards in Gilmer County. The two parcels, one of ten acres and the other of six, were situated between the waters of Spruce Run of Leading Creek in the Troy District. The ten acre parcel was mentioned earlier in this report. As previously mentioned, Billy’s nephew, Denver E. Crislip, purchased his property after Billy’s demise. Gilmer County Deed Book 204, p. 403.

William Wirt Crislip was buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Troy, West Virginia. Denver Crislip purchased the gravestone that marks his grave.





• Gertrude Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [520], daughter of Wm. Luther Crislip, born February 1, 1884; died December 25, 1929; married Merton Greathouse, a descendant of Heinrich Gröthausen of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

  "Gertrude was born at Troy, Gilmer County, West Virginia. She married Merton Greathouse, a neighbor boy. His parents lived on a farm at Slate, near Spencer. They moved to Akron, Ohio and lived there for awhile. They later moved to Jeanette, Pa., then later moved back to Akron. Aunt Gertie was known for her small waistline. I never knew her very well, but I liked her very much. They had two children: Elmer Greathouse and Hazel Pauline Greathouse. Elmer lived at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He died July 14, 1977. He had two sons, Robert of Cuyahoga Falls and Russell of Wadsworth, Ohio. Hazel Pauline Greathouse married James Laudring.” Ibid.







Roy Moses Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [520], son of Wm. Luther Crislip, born 14 April 1886, at Spruce Run, Troy, West Virginia; married Eliza Rogers; died in Roane County, West Virginia, in 1943, at age 56 years, 11 months, and 4 days.

"Soon after the United States Navy made their first trip around the world, Uncle Roy was one of the sailors on that history-making trip. He brought back several mementos of this trip from several countries. Of course they were of great interest to all of us children. I remember one of them was an ostrich egg. Some time after his return from the Navy, he married a neighbor girl, Eliza Rogers. They moved to Akron, Ohio, where he worked as a conductor on a streetcar. He later took up the carpenter's trade. He loved to play cards. He used to come to our house quite often. In later years, they moved back to Spencer, W. Va. and lived, first at her old home, then later purchased Roy's old home place on Slate Creek. They had one child, Rex Cranston Crislip who lives in Los Angeles, California.” Ibid.





• Lovett Delbert Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [521], son of Wm. Luther Crislip, born 25 May 1887, at Spruce Run, Troy, West Virginia, died 7 November 1951; married Ethel W. Stripe, daughter of Eldon L. and Sarah E. (Geary) Stripe.

  "Lovett married Ethel Stripe of Akron, Ohio. Lovett was a very nice looking young man and was very popular with the girls, according to his brothers. He enlisted in the Navy, along with his brother, Roy, but was later discharged due to a health problem. He didn't get to make the trip around the world. Lovett was one of the finest finish carpenters that I have ever known. No one could sharpen a saw better than he, or at least I thought so. He was a great mimicker of other people. He had a lot of fun doing this. They always lived in Akron. They had a very large family, and every one of them a fine specimen of man or woman.” Ibid.











Ernest C. Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [521], son of Wm. Luther Crislip, was born 11 December 1890 at Spruce Run, Troy, West Virginia; married Odious Greathouse. Odius and Merton Greathouse were descendants of Heinrich Gröthausen of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Tragically, Ernest and Odious met their deaths on 24 February 1942. Ernest died at age 51 years, 2 months, and 13 days; Odius died at age 43 years and 14 days. The story of their deaths follows:

"Ernest became a schoolteacher at quite a young age and followed this career all of his life. On the side, he had learned to be a pretty good carpenter. I remember he came to Rock Creek and stayed with my mother while he worked on the Ravenna Arsenal. He and I drove back and forth together to work, along with my brother Clifton. Ernest married a neighbor girl, Odius Greathouse. Odius was a pretty, rosy-cheeked country girl. They lived with Grandmother for several years and then they bought some timberland a few miles away. They built a nice home on it and lived there until their demise. They raised a large family of boys and girls. The ones that I knew were the two oldest girls, and in later years, the two oldest boys who came to Ohio to visit while their father was employed at the Ravenna Arsenal. Some years later there was a terrible tragedy in Ernest's family life. Somehow, he accidentally shot his wife. Seeing what had happened, he turned the gun on himself and shot himself. No one knows for sure what did happen, but it was a terrible tragedy for their children. Life is so complex at times that one cannot be a judge of such happenings. They had these children all born at Spencer, West Virginia.” James Clyde Crislip, Rock Creek, Ohio.




• Lilly Pearl Crislip (Friedrich Carl Christlieb¹, Jacob Christlieb², John Chrislip³, Martin Luther Crislip⁴ & Sarah Ann Chrislip⁴, William Luther Crislip⁵) [525], daughter of Wm. Luther Crislip, was born 10 April 1892; died 31 January 1970; married Lance Kinder. “Lance Kinder passed away years ago. He and Lilly had divorced, and in later years, Lilly married a man by the name of McGeary. Lilly lived her last days in a rest home in Doylestown, Ohio.” James Clyde Crislip, Rock Creek, Ohio.