WILLIAM H. CROWDER, JR., prominent as the cashier of the Sullivan State Bank, comes of a well-known and highly respected family of Sullivan county, Indiana. He was born November 23, 1868, in Sullivan, son of William H. Crowder, Sr. and wife, whose family history will be found in another sketch within this work. William H. Crowder of this notice, obtained his education in the most excellent public schools of Sullivan and began his business career at the age of sixteen years in his father's banking house. He became the bookeeper, which position he held until he was twenty-two years of age. At that time he entered into partnership with J. M. Long in the clothing business, remaining four years, when the partnership was dissolved, after which Mr. Crowder went to Linton, Indiana, and there conducted a clothing and shoestore for about four years. He then entered the State Bank at Sullivan, in October, 1900, as the teller of that institution; and also served as assistant cashier. In September, 1906, he was elected cashier of the bank, which responsible position he still holds. He is a stockholder and director in the Sullivan State Bank and accounted a first class business man.
Politically, he is a Democrat and has held the office of city counsel four years, and his term of office as such will expire January 1, 1910. He is connected with the Odd Fellows order at Sullivan. He was married in June, 1891, to Earlene Moore, born in Sullivan. October, 1872, and educated in her native town. She is the daughter of Robert A. and Susan (Robertson) Moore. The mother is deceased and her father resides at Sullivan. He is a native of Ohio, and both were among the early settlers of Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. Crowder are the parents of seven children: William H. Jr., born August 17, 1892, now attending high school; Daniel M., born April 25, 1894; Doris, born May 1, 1898; Deborah, born April 5, 1900; June, born May 12, 1902; Elizabeth, born April 30, 1904; Ben Allen, born February 26, 1906.
BENJAMIN COX CROWDER, who is now the county auditor of Sullivan county, was born December 20, 1875, in Sullivan, Indiana, son of William H., Sr., and Sarah (Stewart) Crowder. (For an account of his ancestors see sketch of William H. Crowder, Sr., in this work.) Mr. Crowder received his primary education at Sullivan in the public schools, and in the autumn of 1894 entered DePauw University. When twenty years old he returned to Sullivan and commenced working in the Sullivan County Bank, of which his father was president. He worked as a bookkeeper until this institution and the Farmers' State Bank consolidated into what is now known as the Sullivan State Bank. He remained there until the organization of the National Bank of Sullivan, when he accepted a position in the new bank, he being assistant cashier for the first six months of this institution's history. He then went to Indianapolis and was engaged as bookkeeper in the Crowder-Mason Shoe Company, his cousin, C. H. Crowder being president of that company. He remained thereabout five months and in the autumn of 1901, he was chosen deputy auditor, under J. M. Lang and worked until his term expired and then worked at bookkeeping in the Sullivan State Bank about one year, when he was chosen by E. E. Russell, then county auditor, as his deputy, which position he held until elected to the office of auditor on the Democratic ticket, in November. 1906. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; also belongs to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, at DePauw University. Mr. Crowder is president of the Citizens Driving Club.
September 16, 1905, Mr. Crowder was married to Emily H. McCrory, born in Sullivan, Indiana, December 3, 1876. She graduated from the high school with the class of 1896. In March, 1900, she acted as assistant in the county auditor's office, remaining there until her marriage. She is the daughter of William and Rachel Ann (Leach) McCrory, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crowder are the parents of one daughter, Rachel Louise, born August 11, 1906. Mrs. Crowder is a faithful member of the Christian church.