TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of the Collection

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Detailed Description of the Collection

Letters and other Personal Papers 1877-1894

Personal and Financial Papers 1895-1922

Personal and Financial Papers; Notes, Deeds, Telegrams, Invitations, Poems by Jean Dawson Crutcher 1923-1931

Newspapers, (1916-1928; 1953) "Town North Magazine,"1951 - 1956, Newsletters and Booklets

Programs, Magazines

Fairs, Miscellaneous Items

Football Programs

East Dallas, A. Harris & Co., Miscellaneous Items

Flat Box, Sheet Music

East Dallas Minute Books and Pocket Memo Book

Photographs

Crutcher Family Papers

Biographical Note

The Crutcher Family came to Dallas, Texas from Kentucky. In 1876 Granville Crutcher and his wife Rebecca Dawson Crutcher, left Frankfort, Kentucky to join their son George. The family members, a total of seven children, included:

1. William A.

2. Rev. John H.

3. George W.

4. Lucile

5. Frank M.

6. James D.

7. Charles F.

The Crutchers soon became involved in the growth of their new city through business, social, and political activities.

In 1888, Charles, Frank, and George formed Crutcher Brothers, a real estate and surety bonds company. Charles was a member of the Dallas Club. Frank and Charles were very involved in the early Texas State Fairs as well. J.D. Crutcher, a lawyer, was also partnered with his brother George in 1888 in the G.W. and J.D. Crutcher, Land Agency and Law Office. Subsequent letterheads reveal J.D. did not join Crutcher Brothers and remained in private law practice.

George W. Crutcher is probably the best-known family member. George was first to leave Kentucky for Texas. In 1875 he came to Dallas as a teacher and businessman. He served as mayor of old East Dallas for three terms, including the year East Dallas became part of Dallas, (midnight December 31, 1889). He continued serving the city as an Alderman. Later, George relocated first to El Paso and then in 1918 to Eastland, Texas. In 1919 with two of his seven children, Richard and Tom, George formed a general insurance company in Eastland, where he died in 1922.

The Crutchers were a large family. The sons were dedicated to business interests such as real estate, insurance, law, and banking. Their names appear on committees and business rosters such as Bankers and merchants National Bank. Its families, like this one, that have built the City of Dallas.

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Scope and Contents

The collection contains personal, financial, and miscellaneous papers, as well as many photographs, formerly belonging to the Crutcher family. A varied assortment of old programs, magazines, booklets, scrapbook pages, sheet music, and letters are contained in twelve boxes.

The personal letters are absorbing both in content and style: often charming and affectionate, sometimes quite frank, and filled with the little items of life in those days. The business papers refer in detail to land dealings, particularly in Old East Dallas. The photographs are identified, where possible, and are lovely vintage prints.

This collection is rich in terms of tracing the history of this family, its relationships and businesses, and a general description of life during the late 19th and 20th centuries. The materials, in general, are in good condition; however, some are very fragile and caution must be used when handling these and all Archives materials

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Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Family Names:

Places:

Titles:

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

MA67-1 Crutcher Family Papers Texas/Dallas History & Archives Division, Dallas Public Library

Processing Information

Processed by Hugh Carney. Edited by Cindy C. Smolovik, Archivist

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Detailed Description of the Collection