TUESDAY.

The announcement this afternoon of the death of Judge J. W. Crumpacker, which occurred at noon, after an illness of less than a week, came as a distinct shock to the friends of the well-known jurist, for though it was known that he was seriously ill with typhoid fever his brave struggle against death last year and his triumphant victory gave them hope that he would again assert his mastery, but he proved unequal to the task and the end came, while a loving wife and devoted children were at his bedside. The wife, who through the illness was always with him, ready to minister to his wants and to anticipate every wish, now lies prostrated by the blow.

Two weeks ago, Judge and Mrs. Crumpacker planned on making a trip to New Mexico to visit old friends and view former scenes, and the day for the departure was set, but a slight illness attacked the judge, and the trip was postponed for a couple of days. Three days ago typhoid fever developed, and the constitution proved too feeble to cast off the disease. Telegrams conveying the sad intelligence were this afternoon dispatched to relatives and friends.

Jonathan William Crumpacker was born in New Durham township, LaPorte county, Sept. 6, 1854. His father was the late Shepherd Crumpacker, and he was named after his grandfather, a Quaker preacher. He had always lived in this county except during the time of his service as judge in New Mexico, a period of 4 1/2 years.

His education was commenced in the local country schools and continued in the Westville high school and Prairie Home academy in Henry county, Ill., and he graduated in the civil engineering department of the University of Michigan. He subsequently entered the law department of the same institution but withdrew before completing the course and went into the office of Judge Talcott at Valparaiso. For a few years he taught a country school and served as a civil engineer on the Canada Southern and Baltimore and Ohio railroad, then, April 1, 1875, he opened a law office at Westville and was admitted to the bar Sept. 6 following that being the day he attained his majority.

From the beginning Judge Crumpacker showed marked ability in his chosen profession and in 1877 he was invited to a partnership with S. E. Williams, this relationship lasting through 14 years. Since 1891 he has had no partner until recently, when his son became associated with him.

Sept. 17, 1881, Mr. Crumpacker was married to Miss Maggie Regan, who died in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in May 1898. Two children were born to this union, Katherine and Thomas, both of whom survive their parents. After remaining a widower more than a year he married Miss Margaret Murray of Woodstock, Canada, who is left to mourn his loss.

Throughout his adult life Mr. Crumpacker was affiliated actively with the Republican party and enjoyed the confidence of the local, and later of the state leaders of that party. At the outset of his professional career he declined a nomination for prosecuting attorney but in 1882 he was persuaded to become a candidate for mayor, being defeated by a greatly reduced majority. In 1888 he was a delegate to the national convention of his party at Chicago. In 1892 he was nominated for state senator and elected, running 1,300 votes ahead of his ticket, and he was the first Republican senator elected in the county in 28 years. In the general assembly at the sessions of 1893 and 1895 he was recognized as one of the leaders on his side of the chamber and the record he made was a good one.

In November 1897, President McKinley honored Mr. Crumpacker with an appointment as associate justice of the territory of New Mexico. This position he held with honor until early part of last year, when he returned to this city to resume the practice of law. Shortly after his return, however, his health began to fail and he did not establish himself in an office or engage in business to any large extent. As a lawyer he was employed in many prominent cases and as a judge he rendered numerous decisions of note, particularly those involving questions growing out of the old Spanish land grants that have given rise to so much important litigation.

Judge Crumpacker was a member of the several Masonic bodies in this city, also of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows. He was a genial, liberal, big-hearted man, always good natured and generous to a fault. He made many warm friends and never forgot an obligation. In business he was faithful to the interests placed in his charge and his integrity was never questioned. He will be missed in the circles in which he moved. The heartfelt sympathy of the entire community goes out to his widow and children in their great sorrow.

Source: The LaPorte Weekly Herald

(LaPorte, IN), Thurs., Mar. 17, 1904, Pg. 5

TUESDAY.

The announcement this afternoon of the death of Judge J. W. Crumpacker, which occurred at noon, after an illness of less than a week, came as a distinct shock to the friends of the well-known jurist, for though it was known that he was seriously ill with typhoid fever his brave struggle against death last year and his triumphant victory gave them hope that he would again assert his mastery, but he proved unequal to the task and the end came, while a loving wife and devoted children were at his bedside. The wife, who through the illness was always with him, ready to minister to his wants and to anticipate every wish, now lies prostrated by the blow.

Two weeks ago, Judge and Mrs. Crumpacker planned on making a trip to New Mexico to visit old friends and view former scenes, and the day for the departure was set, but a slight illness attacked the judge, and the trip was postponed for a couple of days. Three days ago typhoid fever developed, and the constitution proved too feeble to cast off the disease. Telegrams conveying the sad intelligence were this afternoon dispatched to relatives and friends.

Jonathan William Crumpacker was born in New Durham township, LaPorte county, Sept. 6, 1854. His father was the late Shepherd Crumpacker, and he was named after his grandfather, a Quaker preacher. He had always lived in this county except during the time of his service as judge in New Mexico, a period of 4 1/2 years.

His education was commenced in the local country schools and continued in the Westville high school and Prairie Home academy in Henry county, Ill., and he graduated in the civil engineering department of the University of Michigan. He subsequently entered the law department of the same institution but withdrew before completing the course and went into the office of Judge Talcott at Valparaiso. For a few years he taught a country school and served as a civil engineer on the Canada Southern and Baltimore and Ohio railroad, then, April 1, 1875, he opened a law office at Westville and was admitted to the bar Sept. 6 following that being the day he attained his majority.

From the beginning Judge Crumpacker showed marked ability in his chosen profession and in 1877 he was invited to a partnership with S. E. Williams, this relationship lasting through 14 years. Since 1891 he has had no partner until recently, when his son became associated with him.

Sept. 17, 1881, Mr. Crumpacker was married to Miss Maggie Regan, who died in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in May 1898. Two children were born to this union, Katherine and Thomas, both of whom survive their parents. After remaining a widower more than a year he married Miss Margaret Murray of Woodstock, Canada, who is left to mourn his loss.

Throughout his adult life Mr. Crumpacker was affiliated actively with the Republican party and enjoyed the confidence of the local, and later of the state leaders of that party. At the outset of his professional career he declined a nomination for prosecuting attorney but in 1882 he was persuaded to become a candidate for mayor, being defeated by a greatly reduced majority. In 1888 he was a delegate to the national convention of his party at Chicago. In 1892 he was nominated for state senator and elected, running 1,300 votes ahead of his ticket, and he was the first Republican senator elected in the county in 28 years. In the general assembly at the sessions of 1893 and 1895 he was recognized as one of the leaders on his side of the chamber and the record he made was a good one.

In November 1897, President McKinley honored Mr. Crumpacker with an appointment as associate justice of the territory of New Mexico. This position he held with honor until early part of last year, when he returned to this city to resume the practice of law. Shortly after his return, however, his health began to fail and he did not establish himself in an office or engage in business to any large extent. As a lawyer he was employed in many prominent cases and as a judge he rendered numerous decisions of note, particularly those involving questions growing out of the old Spanish land grants that have given rise to so much important litigation.

Judge Crumpacker was a member of the several Masonic bodies in this city, also of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows. He was a genial, liberal, big-hearted man, always good natured and generous to a fault. He made many warm friends and never forgot an obligation. In business he was faithful to the interests placed in his charge and his integrity was never questioned. He will be missed in the circles in which he moved. The heartfelt sympathy of the entire community goes out to his widow and children in their great sorrow.

Source: The LaPorte Weekly Herald

(LaPorte, IN), Thurs., Mar. 17, 1904, Pg. 5