CRISLIP: Of Reedy and Spencer.

Jacob Crislip and Elizabeth, his wife with several children born to them while residents of Harrison County, on the Monongahela River, were the first of this family name here; they had acquired a large tract of land on upper Left Reedy Creek in what later was included in Curtis Magisterial District. The date of this must have been in the first of the decade, 1850.

It is seen on records of conveyances that Jacob and Elizabeth, his wife under date, May 31, 1862, conveyed unto A. West, Jr., 315-acre tract of land on Left Reedy in exchange for the Mill property of A. West, Jr., being three and a half acres on Spring Creek adjoining Jesse Tanner s survey, on the south side of the base line. How long he ran the mill or whether Jacob and family came to reside here at the mill, we do not know; if they did, they soon returned, for there on the upper Reedy was the Crislip home and neighborhood for forty years; from there their sons and daughters were married; two sons, Lemuel and Ashy carved larger farms out of the paternal lands, and continued the Crislip prestige there for twenty-five more years and there both died and were buried. They were loyal to the Union through the Civil War, and devout Methodist Episcopals in church affiliations.

Lemuel Crislip, son of Jacob and Elizabeth, his wife, was born in Harrison County, western Virginia, October 16, 1822; married Miss Salina Peck, born March 11, 1825; of this marriage several sons and one daughter was born; however, we are able to name two only: Cyrus A.and Olive. Of these further:

Cyrus A. Crislip, son of Lemuel and wife, married and made his home many years on part of the old home farm; later moved to Spencer; was elected by the people and served one term as delegate for bane County in the State Legislature, twenty-second session, 1895; served as United States postmaster at Spencer a term of four years, later moved to Upper Meigs County, Ohio, and died there.

Cyrus A. Crislip and wife brought up two children, a daughter and a son, their names, Sallie 0., who married John H. Kincaid, on April 10, 1908, her age then 22, his age 33; he was born in Fayette County, West Virginia; of this marriage two children were born; they have their home at or near Coolville, Ohio. Romeo R. Crislip, son of Cyrus A., and wife, was twice married first to Miss Ocie Morford; of this union a daughter was born; his second marriage was with a Miss Wine.

Olive Crislip, daughter of Lemuel and Sauna Crislip, was wife of John A. A. Vandale, attorney of Spencer, West Virginia. They brought up three children in their home in Spencer, Earl, Laura and Geneva; all long ago gone elsewhere.

Ashy Crislip, son of Jacob and Elizabeth, his wife, was in age next to the brother Lenuel; he married Miss Mary Timel, or Timmel, daughter of Frank Timel and wife, the German teacher and musician mentioned in Chapter IX of this book.

Ashy and wife made their home on the broad good lands at the mouth of Stover on Left Reedy; on account of their fine farm and home, and contributions to their church, they were popular for twenty-five years; they brought up and sent out a successful family; their names in order of births as remembered by the writer, Savena, Alonzo L., Estella, Addie, and Maud, whose marriages and somewhat further we give:

Savena, when quite young united in marriage with William H. Cleavenger, October 9. 1882; of this union is the son, Ernest Crislip, a business man of Colorado. Savenas second husband was David A. Brawn, with whom she married on June 10, 1886; her age then 20, his age 31, a widower; of this marriake two have been brought up, Charles and Nell.

Alonzo L. Crislip, son of Ashy and Mary, his wife, became a dentist; made his home and business in Spencer; married Miss Katie L. Bond, December 23, 1901, his age given 33, hers 18; they brought up two daughters, Frankie and Mary K. (See Chapter IX, History of The City of Spencer.)

Addie Crislip, daughter of Ashy and Mary, united in marriage with William Huddleston, of Spencer, May 1, 1898, her age 25, his age 30, made their home in the Town of Spencer; his career is shown in Chapter IX. They brought up two daughters, Ophelia and Pauline.

Alice Crislip, daughter of Ashy and Mary, married Okey J. Chambers, Esq., February 16, 1896; she then 20 and he 25 years old. (See List of Attorneys, Chapter IX and Chapter VI.)

Estella Crislip united in marriage with Albert S. Heck, June 15, 1898, her age 24, his age 25; he was born in Jackson County, West Virginia. (See Chapter IX.) They have brought up, in Spencer, three daughters and one son; their names, Ardis, wife of Byron Morford; Estel, wife of Dewey Perkins. (See family names, Morford, Perkins). The sons name is Henry Heck; a daughter, now nine years of age, called Carrol.

Names and marriages of other crislips well known residents of the upper left Reedy whose family connections the writer does not venture to give:

Luther Crislip to Melissa Riddle, September 21, 1870.

Daniel W. Crislip to Mollie Cummings, August 20, 1881.

J.M. Crislip to Florence Armstrong, February 8, 1879.

Daniel W. Crislip to Myrtle Peck, widow, December 9, 1906, his age, 33, her age 23.

NOTE: Ages were not entered on marriage records in Roane County prior to 1882.


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. p 489-491
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, November 28, 1999