Description
This is the original handwritten version of the member's Autobiography and Reminiscence created as an institutional record
for the Society of California Pioneers. The original and transcription have been digitized and are available at the Online
Archive of California. The reminiscence details his overland journey to California from Alabama, offering a description of
the trip, tales about Indians and challenges on the trail. His life in California, mining years and some family history are
discussed as well. A member of the American Medical Assn. and the California State Medical Society, he served 4 terms in the
Cal. State Legislature and in the municipal government of Sausalito. He served as Vice President of the Society of California
Pioneers and was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Background
Crumpton was born in Waltenborough, South Carolina (1828), the son of Henry Tally Crumpton and Matilda Smith Bryant. Crumpton
lived in Alabama on his father's farm, which was sold and the family moved to Barbersville (Camden), Alabama to run a hotel.
The hotel failed and Crumpton worked in a printing office, resolving to attend medical school. After 2 terms Crumpton left
for California with about 500 people on April 1st, 1849. The first California places he reached were Warner's, then Workman's
and William's Ranches. He then went to Los Angeles, San Pedro, then on Bark "Hector" to San Francisco. While in Los Angeles,
Crumpton worked with a wealthy merchant, who took him under his wing until getting a job on a cargo ship to San Francisco.
Once there, Crumpton worked at manual labor until a mining outfit was secured. By 1851 he had saved enough money to return
home and resume his medical studies. He went back and forth between Alabama and California 3 times while in school, each time
returning to California compelled by a "fascination with mining". A member of the American Medical Assn. and the California
State Medical Society, he served 4 terms in the California State Legislature and in the municipal government of Sausalito.
He joined the Society of California Pioneers on June 2, 1890, served as Vice President of the Society and was a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He died in Piedmont, Calif., on April 8, 1913.