"An Illustrated History of Whitman County, state of Washington." San Francisco:
W. H. Lever, 1901.

HON. SAMUEL J. CRUTCHER

     Few men in Whitman county have been more active in the affairs of state,
and few have a better title to be called benefactors of the section in which
they live than has he whose name initiates this paragraph. His life has been one
of great activity in many different lines. His patriotic zeal made him a valiant
defender of the flag in the days when fratricidal war was devastating our land,
and the same dauntless spirit made him a typical pioneer, when in somewhat later
days he found his way to the untamed west. A force also in political matters, he
made his influence felt in the campaigns of this and other sections, and when
positions of trust have been tendered him he has proven faithful to his trust
and in every way competent and efficient. It is therefore no exaggeration to
state that he is among the brilliant lights of Whitman county.
     Our subject is a native of the old Blue Grass state, born July 25, 1830.
When twelve years of age he accompanied the remainder of the family to
Montgomery county, Missouri, where he completed his education and his minority.
For a while after leaving school he was engaged in farming, but he eventually
took up the study of medicine. In due course he began practice. He continued a
devotee of the healing art until 1861, then joined the Missouri Home Guards. The
next year he enlisted in Company E, Second Missouri Cavalry, United States
Volunteers, serving thereafter until 1863, when he was discharged on account of
disability. He participated in the battle of Ashley, and in several other
engagements and skirmishes, once being severely wounded by being thrown from a
horse. For a time after his discharge he served as quartermaster of his company,
but eventually returning home, he, in 1864, came thence across the plains with
teams to Nevada.
     Locating at Austin, he built there a hotel and boarding house. The
following spring, however, he moved onto Silver creek and engaged in farming.
When the Indians broke out in their bloody and murderous warfare he took his
family to Austin, thereby saving their lives, but all his property was
destroyed.  This necessitated another move, so he went to Grass valley and again
engaged in farming.  In course of time he purchased a few cattle and became
established in the stock-raising and dairying business.  For some years after he
drove his cattle from point to point, following the various mining excitements.
At Pine creek he sold milk for one dollar per gallon and butter at from seventy-
five cents to a dollar per pound.  After spending several years in this business
he located at Humboldt Wells, for the purpose of educating his children.  In
1880 he came to Whitman county.  His first winter was spent at the mouth of the
Cottonwood, and the following spring he located four miles northwest of Pine
City, where we now find him.  He brought some land and secured more from the
government by the use of his privileges until he became one of the largest
realty holders in the county.  He is at present the owner of sixteen hundred
acres in all, a portion of which is in Spokane county.  On the home place is an
excellent orchard of fourteen acres, a comfortable residence and many other
improvements.  The air of thrift which is so characteristic of the successful
farmer's premises is distinctly perceptible about the place.
     Mr. Crutcher was prominent in the politics of Nevada while a resident of
that territory, and he lost none of his interest in public affairs after
becoming a resident of Whitman county.  In 1883 he was elected to the
legislature.  He represented his constituency with vigor and ability, taking a
place among the leading men of the house.  One of the most valuable services
which he has rendered to the county is that in connection with the procuring of
the Palouse branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which has proved such a
boon to Whitman county.
     Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the time-honored F. & A. M.  His
first marriage was solemnized in Missouri in 1857, Miss Sallie A. Hudson then
becoming his wife.  She died in 1859, and her remains lie buried in Middleton,
Missouri.  She left one son, James, who died in Nevada.  Mr. Crutcher
consummated a second marriage in Missouri, in 1861, the lady being Miss Rachael
Renner, a native of Ohio.  She died in 1897, and was buried in the Pine City
cemetery.  Of this union five children were born:  John T., a farmer; Mary, wife
of Albert Wilton of Seattle; Lillie, wife of John McAustin, of Seattle; Hattie,
wife of Richard J. Howard, a farmer in this county; and George W.
 

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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in April 2009 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.