Arkansas County ArArchives Biographies.....Crill, Harrison E. 1875 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez lmu567@gmail.com May 23, 2009, 10:06 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) HARRISON E. CRILL. The enterprising little city of Gillett numbers among its wide-awake, progressive and energetic merchants the gentleman whose name introduces this review. Harrison E. Crill succeeded in business William J. Stillwell, one of the oldest merchants of Gillett, his present establishment being the outgrowth of the business that had been founded by Mr. Stillwell many years before. In the conduct of his store Mr. Crill displays a most progressive spirit, carrying a well selected and attractive line of goods and employing modern-day business methods in the management of the trade, while his thorough reliability has been one of the potent elements in the attainment of his present-day success. Mr. Crill was born in McDonough county, Illinois, in 1875 and is a son of E. J. and Phoebe (Walker) Crill. The father was a native of Oneida county, New York, where his father was a well known capitalist. He purchased land in Illinois and other western states at a very early day and E. J. Crill made visits to these places in the interest of his father and ultimately became identified with the middle west. It was while on one of these trips looking after his father's business affairs that he met and married Phoebe Walker, a native of New York, and for a time they resided in Illinois, the birth of their son, Harrison E., there occurring. Subsequently they became residents of Oneida county, New York. To them were born the following named: Arthur, who is now living in Gillett; Harrison E., of this review; and John W., deceased. The father removed with his family to Arkansas and established his permanent residence in 1887 where the town of Gillett now stands. He was a civil engineer by profession and at one time served as surveyor of Arkansas county. Harrison E. Crill was reared and educated in this state and in early life became identified with fanning interests. In 1902, however, he entered into association with Mr. Stillwell, pioneer merchant Of Gillett, and later became one of the organizers of the Stillwell Mercantile Company, which succeeded to the individual ownership of Mr. Stillwell. Mr. Crill became president and general manager of the business and in January, 1920, he took over the interests of his associates in the store, becoming sole owner of what is today one of the leading mercantile establishments in his part of the county. His stock is attractive, his business methods thoroughly reliable and progressive and his trade is steadily growing. Mr. Crill has been married twice. He first wedded Dasie McGraw of Gillett, a daughter of George and Sally McGraw. His second wife was Roberta Branstetter and in the social circles of the city they occupy an enviable position, having a legion of warm friends. Fraternally Mr. Crill is connected with the Woodmen of the World and his entire life has been guided by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds membership. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/arkansas/bios/crill9nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/arfiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb