Grant Crumpacker, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Grant Crumpacker
GRANT CUMPACKER - The judge-elect of the Porter Circuit Court in the election of 1926 is one of the Crumpacker family that is so eminent in the life of this community. He was born in Washington Township, Porter County, Indiana, on July 27, 1867, the son of Theophilus and Harriet (Emmons) Crumpacker, both of whom were natives of Virginia and the former settled in Porter County in 1835 and the latter in Cass County, Michigam, in 1827. Theophilus Crumpacker was a farmer by occupation, and after settleing in Porter County removed to LaPorte County, where he remained until 1863, and again returned to Porter County. His marriage was solemnized in 1847, and to this union were born eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest in order of birth. Charles is the only living son, and is a member of the Chicago Board of Trade, but is retired from active business. John W. served as the cashier of the LaPorte Savings Bank for twenty-seven years and also served as county treasurer of Porter County from 1879 to 1883. Edgar D., well known attorney, was one of the first judges of the Appellate Court, receiving his appointment from Governor Hovey, under whose administration the judgeship was created. He later represented the Tenth District in Congress, serving eight consecutive terms. On his retirement from Congress he practiced law in Valparaiso; he is the father of three sons, of whom one is a representative in Congress from Portland, Oregon, and all of whom are prominent attorneys. Daniel W., who died in 1924, was for many years in the Government mail service. Peter H., who passed away in 1916, was a practicing attorney in Hammond. Eliza A., wife of Melvin Lewis, resided in Valparaiso; upon her death the son, Harry L., was adopted by his uncle, John Crumpacker, and when adopted assumed the name of Crumpacker. He is now serving as the judge of Porter and LaPorte County Superior Court. Nettie E., the wife of I. Luther of Chicago, passed away in 1914.
Grant Crumpacker was educated in the Valparaiso schools and Valparaiso University, where he received his degree of L. L. B. in 1894, and began his practice in that city. He served in the Valparaiso University as an instructor in the law department for fifteen years after his graduation, and at that time began to take an active part in politics. He was honored with the selection of county attorney and served in that office from 1906 to 1927. In 1926 he was the nominee of the republican party for judge of the Circuit Court and had no opposition in the primaries of that year, and had no opponent in the election. He is associated with his son, John, and a nephew, Owen, the son of Edgar, in the practive of law.
His marriage was with Lottie Wade, daughter of William H. and Anna (Lavender) Wade of Martin, Tennessee. To this marriage were born four sons and two daughters: Wade, the eldest son, unlisted in the Light Field Artillery at Camp Aniston, Alabama, and due to illness contracted in service was formed to adandon his study of law; John, a practicing attorney of Valparaiso, was married the Rachel, the daughter of Carlton Thatcher of Valparaiso, and to whom was born a daughter, Carol Ruth. The third child, Mary Arden, is a graduate of the University of Colorado; and Ruth Annette is a student at Valparaiso University.
Mr. Grant Crumpacker is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association; Porter County Bar Association, having served as president of that body for ten years; the Chamber of Commerce, and the Elks.
Source: Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927. History of the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana Embracing the Counties of Lake, Porter and Laporte. Volume II. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 827 p.
Page(s) in Source: 105-106
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook