William F. Crabtree was born October 1846, in Lafayette County, Arkansas, and moved to Eufaula in 1873. He was sent to school at Rondo, Arkansas, just before the war, but soon joined the Confederate service, attaching himself to the courier battalion whose headquarters were at Washington, Arkansas. After the war, in May 1866, he married Miss Hattie Carter, daughter to Dr. T. A. Carter, of Ozark, Arkansas, by whom he has four children, Bettie, Hattie, Fount and Anna. The former young lady, aged fourteen years, is by nature an artist, having given convincing proofs of this fact through several oil paintings, which contain great merit, considering the age of the artist. Mr. Crabtree spent six years in the mercantile business at Eufaula, and moved to Muskogee in 1885. Since 1881 he has devoted his attention chiefly to the purchase and shipment of stock. In 1889 he was appointed by the Creek council as national tax collector, which position he still holds. He owns a nice residence in Muskogee, and a business building, together with 15 acres of land, in town. He has also a large pasture and 100 acres of farm on the Arkansas River. Mr. Crabtree is a pleasant, hospitable gentleman, and very popular.
