Harold F. Crum was born in 1905 on the Crum Farm, homesteaded by his grandfather, J.L. Crum, on July 1, 1870. His grandfather was the first white settler in the area, thus given his choice of land between the Ninnescah & Arkansas Rivers. His grandfather, Frederick Wagner, helped organize and was on the first Mulvane City Council. Harold was the 2nd of 3 chrildren born to Earl & Eva Crum. He attended New Salem District School, Belle Plaine High School, and graduated from Mulvane High School in 1923. He married Dorothy Marie Sickler on Feb. 11, 1930 in Derby, KS. There were 3 children born to this union: Galen, Lucretia and William. He worked for Western Electric and helped set up Southwestern Bell Telephone's dial system in Wichita; farmed in the Mulvane area and raised Percheron horses; helped with the building of the Cowskin Creek Bridge on K-53 west of Mulvane; managed the English Grain Company of Mulvane; served several terms on the Prairie Garden District School Board; owned his own blacksmith, welding and auto repair shop. In January 1952, he was appointed as Chief of the Mulvane Fire Dept. by Mayor Harvey Swan. On May 4, 1953, Mayor Swan appointed Harold as Police Chief and Street Commissioner. Harold was instrumental in establishing the first Civil Defense Fire Department of Mulvane and, through his efforts, they received their first issue of fire boots and hoses. Harold was recognized and respected by the area and state law officials. He received special recognition from State Narcotics Officials for undercover work. He was especially concerned about the young people of the community, earning their respect and affection. He retired from the City of Mulvane Police Dept. in January 1973, after serving faithfully for 21 years. Harold loved the outdoors, enjoyed farming and raising cattle. He loved animals and they loved him. All of his cows were pets and could be hand-fed. Harold was a man of honor and integrity: his word was his bond. He loved his family and home and was happiest with his children and grandchildren around him-especially working and being together on the home farm. He was respected and loved by all and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and children: Galen, Lucretia, and Bill; 7 grandchildren (Gail, Steve, Kelly, Bruce, Chip, Brian, Casey); 3 greatgrandchildren (Heather, Billy Dan, Chris).
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Wichita Eagle, Friday, March 15, 1985
"Harold Crum Was Quiet Man Who Meant What He Said" by Beth Rosenberg, staff writer
In 1952, Mulvane's city officials asked Harold F. Crum to be temporary police chief. That short-term job lasted 20 years, an era during which Mr. Crum was known for his work with kids and his belief that conversation did more good than writing tickets. Mr. Crum, retire police chief and farmer, died Monday at age 79.
"He really enjoyed working with the young people," said his daughter, Lucretia Stetler. "They respected him. There just was no youth problem in Mulvane as long as Dad was chief of police. He earned respect by being firm. He was a quiet man and not given much to talking. When he said something, they knew he meant business....He never told anybody anything twice."
He was born on the Crum farm west of Mulvane that was homesteaded by his grandfather, J.L. Crum, on July 1, 1870. His grandfather was the first white settler in the area and had his choice of any land between the Ninnescah and Arkansas rivers. His other grandfather, Frederick Wagner, helped organize and served on the first Mulvane City Council.
Mr. Crum attended Belle Plaine High School and graduated from Mulvane High School in 1923. He married Dorothy Marie Sickler on Feb. 11, 1930 in Derby. At the time of his marriage, he worked for Western Electric and helped set up the Southwestern Bell telephone dial system in Wichita.
During the Depression, he bred Percheron horses in Mulvane. At the same time, he hauled sand with a team and wagon from the Arkansas River to help build the Cowskin Creek Birdge on K-53, west of Mulvane. Later, he farmed and also managed the English Grain Co. of Mulvane, and served several terms on the board of the Prairie Garden school district, where his children went to school.
During the 1940s, he owned and operated a blacksmith, welding and auto repair shop in Mulvane. In January 1952, Mr. Crum was appointed chief of the Mulvane Fire Department. On May 4, 1953, he was appointed police chief and street commissioner. He and the late Raymond Davis, who was chief of the Sedgwick County Fire Department, were instrumental in establishing the first Civil Defense Fire Department in Mulvane, his daughter said.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Galen of Mulvane, Bill of Howard; daughter, Lucretia Stetler of Morehead, Ky.; brother, Leonard of Derby; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
2008
