Sameul J. Crumley and Sarah Elizabeth Brunk

Samuel J. Crumley and Sarah Elizabeth Brunk, parents of Charles Otto Crumley

 Bertha wrote on the back of the above picture.

Samuel J. Crumley was born  21 Oct 1844 in Green County, Ohio.  He was the son of James C. Crumley and Sarah Reeves.  Sarah Elizabeth Brunk, daughter of Jacob Brunk and Mary Jane Robey was born 20 Oct 1849 in Delaware County, Indiana.  They married 23 Sep 1869 in Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana.  They moved their family to Iola, Kansas sometime after 1886.  Here they were stalwart supporters of the Methodist church they attended.  

 

Samuel J. Crumley and Sarah Elizabeth Brunk Crumley front row.  Back row left to right, Charles Otto Crumley, Bertha Clydie Crumley and William Aaron Crumley. Taken in Iola, Kansas.

The following story was related to Ross by Aunt Bertha in 1941 during a visit to Kokomo, Indiana.

"The Crumley's have always been religious and have been connected with the Methodist faith.  Father (Samuel) never missed church on Sunday and always returned thanks before eating even when they were traveling to Missouri in the wagon.  I do not believe I can ever remember a time when he sat down to eat that he did not thank God for the food that he had.  One of the things I will always remember in his prayers were these words:  "Bless this day that is spread over this part of the earth."  When Edgar, (a son) was sick he would often request that our mother (Grandma Betty) pray for him."  (Edgar died in 1886 at age 16 in Kokomo, Howard, Indiana.)

Bertha told Ross that when they were going to Missouri, Grandfather would have Aunt Bertha and Charles walk in front of the team every morning so that they would be tired enough to sit still when he did let them ride in the wagon. 

         

Samuel and Sarah Elizabeth (Betty) Crumley

In their later years Saumel and Sarah were custodians of the city offices in central town square.

Trinity Methodist Church - Iola, Kansas

Sarah Crumley had a vision of the Methodist church in Iola while hoeing in her garden before it was built.  At the church's 50 year anniversary celebration the Reverend, after relating in detail their many problems in establishing the church and assisting it to become solvent, said:

"Mrs. Crumley especially stood by me.  Why do I mention her?  Because it was she who knew how to pray and work at the same time.  Her courage never dropped.  With her thin arms waving in the air she would say to me, "Brother Fred, you just keep on doing as you are here.  Just tell the truth about us.  Depend on the Lord.  He never fails one who trusts him." 

Postcard written by Charles from Arizona, to his mother Sarah

Postcards written to Sarah and Samuel Crumley from relatives in Indiana.