HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                              25

from whence after a short time he removed to Vigo county, Indiana, then
to Parke county, and then returned to England, spending about four
years in the land of his birth, when he then came again to this country
and to Indiana. He located in Clay county in 1868, He came to Brazil,
but left this city for Knightsville, returning later to Brazil. He is a
Democrat politically, and served one term each as a member of the city
council and as assessor. Of the three children born to Mr, and Mrs.
Bubb two are now living, and the elder is Harry W., who was first mar-
ried to Zetta Decker, a daughter of Jesse A. Decker, and they had three
children. After her death he married Edith Fuh, by whom he has one
child. The other child is Grace, now Mrs. Geo. F. Volt, of St. Louis, Mo.
One child died in infancy. Mr. Bubb gives his political support to the
Republican party, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pthias
and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.


    JOHN W. CRICHFIELD.—Among the many men of energy and enter-
prise that are so ably assisting in the agricultural development and
advancement of Clay county is John W. Crichfleld, who, on his well-
improved and well-kept farm in Lewis township, is actively engaged in
general farming and stock-raising. A son of John Crichfleld, he was
born December 9, 1858, in the township where he is now living. His
grandfather, Absalom Crichfield, was one of the early settlers of Greene
county, Indiana, moving there, it is supposed, from Pennsylvania. He
afterwards came to Lewis township, Clay county, bought timbered land
in section 20, and on the farm which he improved lived for some time.
When unable longer to manage his land, he made his home with his
children, living retired from active pursuits until his death, when upwards
of sixty years old. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Jolly.
    Born, without doubt, in Washington township, Greene county, Indi-
ana, John Crichfield came with his parents in pioneer days to Lewis town-
ship, and was here bred and educated. Arriving at man’s estate, he
entered eighty acres of government land in section seven, south half of
northwest quarter. The land was heavily timbered, with the exception
of six acres partially cleared. Building a hewed log house, which is still
standing, he improved a good farm, and there was engaged in tilling the
soil for thirty years. Selling out then, he removed to Missouri and
finally to Illinois, and is now a resident of Normal, McLean county. He
married Amanda Kester, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of William
M. and — (Mosier) Kester. They became the parents of eleven
children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity, as follows: Jesse F.;
John W.; Eliza Bryce; William; Martha Robison; Frances M.; and
George Riley.
    Brought up on the farm, John W. Crichfield received a practical
common school education, and under his father’s instructions was well
drilled in the numerous branches of agriculture. After his marriage, he
followed mining for a long time, being employed in Clay City for eight
years, and in Hymera, Sullivan county, for nine years. Resuming then
the free and independent occupation to which he was reared, Mr. Crich-
field for three years rented land in Jackson township, Sullivan county,
after which he bought his present farm, lying in sections seven and eight,
and has since devoted his time and attention to its care and culture, carry-
ing on general farming most successfully.
    Mr. Crichfleld has been twice married. He married first, in March,