BIO:  Henry M. Crider, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, historical editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 12

HENRY M. CRIDER, publisher and bookseller, York, Penn., is the son of Jacob and 
Catherine (Mower) Crider.  He was born near Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., 
October 14, 1839.  His father removed to near Newburg, in 1842, where the 
subject of this notice received an injury, while at school, which threatened to 
make him a cripple for life.  In the years of suffering which followed, when he 
was debarred from the sports incident to childhood, he developed a fondness for 
books and an aptness for learning which determined his father to give him, if 
possible, a liberal education.  A second removal of the family was made, in 
1853, to Green Spring, Cumberland Co., Penn., where such opportunities for 
improvement as the district school afforded were eagerly embraced.  At the age 
of sixteen, he began teaching in the rural districts of his county, attending, 
during the summer months, various institutions of learning, with a view of 
advancing his own education.  In 1858 he became a student of Otterbein 
University, where his poems and essays in the literary and rhetorical societies 
attracted considerable interest and comment.  In 1861 he was licensed to preach, 
when he returned to his native State, and for a short time was engaged in the 
ministry.  December 24, 1861, he was married to Miss Sadie Elizabeth Kaufman, of 
Boiling Springs, Cumberland Co., Penn., and having resumed his former 
profession, he was for some years engaged in teaching in various towns and 
cities.  In 1866 he was selected as a member of the faculty of Cottage Hill 
College, near York, Penn., and, in connection with his duties there, established 
a night school and commercial college for young men, which was liberally 
patronized by the best citizens of York.  About this time, he wrote a book of 
poems, entitled "Pedagogic", in which he embalmed in verse the various specimens 
of the district school teacher of "Ye olden time."  Its unique character called 
forth many favorable press notices.  It was extensively read before teacher's 
institutes, and passed through several editions.  In 1866 he originated and 
published the photograph marriage certificate, which was subsequently modified 
into many varieties, and by a liberal and judicious system of advertising 
succeeded in introducing his certificates throughout the United States and 
Canada; and at this writing, 1885, nearly 2,000,000 copies have been sold.  In 
August, 1867, he established a paper, which he edited for two years, the 
circulation of which, at one time, exceeded 5,000 copies.  His first wife was 
removed by death in 1874.  In 1875 he was married a second time, to Miss Amanda 
C. Fahs, a lady long and favorably known in York as a teacher in the public 
schools and the York County Academy.  He is the father of one son and three 
daughters.  The son, W. H. Crider, has reached his majority, and is now engaged 
in teaching in the State Normal School, at Morris, Ill.