GEORGE W. CRUMBAUGH was born and reared in Russellville, Logan Co., Ky. His father, Conrad Crumbaugh, was a potter and brewer by occupation, and came to Kentucky from Hagerstown, Md. George W. was five years learning the tailor's trade, and at nineteen began the business for himself; first at Danville, Ky., and soon after at Louisville, where he carried on his business. He studied for the ministry and preached as a local minister. In 1840 he was admitted to the Conference on probation, and two years afterward to full membership, and was ordained elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Louisville Conference. He was subject to appointment by the Conference for fifty years, but now is superannuated; was recently appointed chaplain of the penitentiary at Eddyville, to which place he moved in 1880, and three years later to Kuttawa. During his ministerial service he added to the various churches 3,000 members. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities, and was formerly a Good Templar. He has been twice married; his first wife was Zella Hall, of Bullitt County, Ky. There is but one child living to this union—Rev. G. C. Crumbaugh, of Paducah. His present wife is Emma S., nee Crandell, of Hardin County. They are blessed with three children: Dora E., wife of Press Wood; Mary C., wife of E. S. Menard. and Earnest W. The last named was born July 18, 1860, in Carrollton, Ky., and thoroughly educated at the Louisville High School. He came to Eddyville with his father and bought an interest in the Lyon County Democrat, of which he was editor. He has since been associated as editor of the Kuttawa Gazette which he started, and soon after consolidated with the Democrat. At the same time he owned and published the Dawson Ripplings, all in partnership with Scott Brothers. Upon dissolution they took the Dawson paper, and he the Kuttawa Gazette-Democrat, which was suspended in June, 1884. December 6, 1884, he started his present paper the Saturday Evening Echo, of which he is sole editor and proprietor, and which is in a flourishing condition.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 852.