Everett F. Crumb, who has made his home in Utica during the past half century and is one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of the city, was long and successfully identified with business interests as a dealer in farm implements, wagons and automobiles, but since January, 1916, has lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease. His birth occurred at Unadilla Forks, Plainfield township, Otsego county, New York, on the 29th of October, 1844, his parents being Ephraim B. and Elizabeth (Babcock) Crumb, natives of New England. The latter descended from Revolutionary ancestry. Ephraim B. Crumb, who was an agriculturist by occupation, died when his son Everett was a lad of seven years, leaving a wife and seven children.
Everett F. Crumb supplemented his public school education by a course of study in the West Winfield Academy, and after putting aside his textbooks he spent several years as a clerk in the store of his uncle, Henry H. Babcock, at Unadilla Forks. Subsequently he and his cousin, Albert B. Crumb, purchased this business, but after conducting the same for two years the young men disposed of the enterprise to the former owner, Henry H. Babcock. It was in 1874 that Everett F. Crumb came to Utica and secured employment as shipping clerk with the firm of J. M. Childs & Company, dealers in agricultural implements, later becoming a traveling salesman. He continued on the road for some time and then associated with Charles H. Childs and others and purchased the business of J. M. Childs & Company. The new firm was incorporated with Charles H. Childs as president and Mr. Crumb as secretary and treasurer, in which dual capacity the latter continued to serve throughout the remainder of his active business career. The company carried a complete line of farm implements and also dealt in wagons and automobiles. Mr. Crumb's unassailable reputation for integrity, his sound judgment and his excellent executive ability constituted important elements in the steady growth and success of the concern, which developed into one of the most flourishing business enterprises of the kind in central New York. The business was closed out in January, 1916, since which time Mr. Crumb has lived in honorable retirement. He was formerly vice president of the Pratt Chuck Company of Frankfort, New York, and is now a director in the Commercial Travelers Mutual Accident Association of America.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Crumb has supported the men and measures of the democratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Western Star Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Bridgewater, New York. He also has membership in the Fort Schuyler Club and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in his adopted city. A contemporary biographer said of him:
"He has always been faithful to a high sense of duty and prompt and efficient in the discharge of responsibilities, contributing very materially to the good name of Utica."
Mr. Crumb has passed the eightieth milestone on his earthly pilgrimage and receives the respect and esteem which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey and whose career has ever been an upright and honorable one.