Lida Martha Crabb
1887-1981
A pioneer McDonough County newspaper woman was a life changer. She believed that family is the most important thing in life; that the downtrodden or unfortunate should be given jobs and assistance to help them change their lives for the better; that everyone should con to preserve the past and work to create a better future; that there are no substitutes for good literature and an appreciation of history.
Lida had a soft spot for girls in need, and she and Carle took in a young high school girl whose life has gone from difficult to nearly ending up in the Geneva School for Girls. She was taken into the family, worked alongside the family on the farm, became a news stringer for the Peoria Star, and worked at Crabb Publications while attending Western Normal School. The same year that Eileen graduated from Macomb High School, the Crabbs went into the newspaper business (1936). Eileen went on to become president of the National PTA. She always remembered Lida as "Mother" and was grateful for the chance she had been given. Other boys and girls were also helped to a lesser degree.
Lida was called to take over the newspaper business and assume the editor's job when her husband died in 1950. During the subsequent 23 years, not only did Lida sustain Crabb Publications, a family owned group of six McDonough County newspapers, but she also increased the number of subscribers. It was believed that the increase in newspaper sales was largely due to the number of women who enjoyed reading her column. She continued to focus on appreciation for the community in general and for the people she interacted with—relatives, friends, teachers, workers, and others. As local historian Kathy Nichols said in a 1995 article, “Mrs. Crabb spoke of and to her readers as a kind of extended family. She expressed pleasure with their achievements and regret for their misfortunes.” Yes, and in doing so, she was a groundbreaker in our region, a newspaper professional who provided what many people, especially women, were anxious for—personal contact with someone like themselves, which helped to foster a sense of belonging."
Late in her life she received several honors. The Governor’s VIP Award, for her column, came in 1974. Because she championed the maintenance of cemeteries, she also received the DAR Medal of Honor in 1977. Other awards came from WIU and the City of Macomb.
Lida was a crusader for the maintenance of old cemeteries in the county. She spearheaded a referendum for a tax supporting their maintenance, but it failed by a narrow margin in 1974.
In honor of her husband, she also created
a revolving loan fund at WIU which has helped numerous economically disadvantaged students over the years.
Lida eventually became the oldest newspaper columnist in Illinois. She wrote her last column, "A Day At A Time," the day before her death at age 94. She wrote, "Folks, I just don't seem to be getting any better. I may write another column, I may not, but I must say you have all been wonderful. You have shared your life with me, and now I have shared mine with you. We have waged a lot of battles, won some, lost some, but they have been stimulating, exciting, and never dull.
Photo and information courtesy of Malpass Library Archives and .Mary Crabb Kerr
Lida had a soft spot for girls in need, and she and Carle took in a young high school girl whose life has gone from difficult to nearly ending up in the Geneva School for Girls. She was taken into the family, worked alongside the family on the farm, became a news stringer for the Peoria Star, and worked at Crabb Publications while attending Western Normal School. The same year that Eileen graduated from Macomb High School, the Crabbs went into the newspaper business (1936). Eileen went on to become president of the National PTA. She always remembered Lida as "Mother" and was grateful for the chance she had been given. Other boys and girls were also helped to a lesser degree.
Lida was called to take over the newspaper business and assume the editor's job when her husband died in 1950. During the subsequent 23 years, not only did Lida sustain Crabb Publications, a family owned group of six McDonough County newspapers, but she also increased the number of subscribers. It was believed that the increase in newspaper sales was largely due to the number of women who enjoyed reading her column. She continued to focus on appreciation for the community in general and for the people she interacted with—relatives, friends, teachers, workers, and others. As local historian Kathy Nichols said in a 1995 article, “Mrs. Crabb spoke of and to her readers as a kind of extended family. She expressed pleasure with their achievements and regret for their misfortunes.” Yes, and in doing so, she was a groundbreaker in our region, a newspaper professional who provided what many people, especially women, were anxious for—personal contact with someone like themselves, which helped to foster a sense of belonging."
Late in her life she received several honors. The Governor’s VIP Award, for her column, came in 1974. Because she championed the maintenance of cemeteries, she also received the DAR Medal of Honor in 1977. Other awards came from WIU and the City of Macomb.
Lida was a crusader for the maintenance of old cemeteries in the county. She spearheaded a referendum for a tax supporting their maintenance, but it failed by a narrow margin in 1974.
In honor of her husband, she also created
a revolving loan fund at WIU which has helped numerous economically disadvantaged students over the years.
Lida eventually became the oldest newspaper columnist in Illinois. She wrote her last column, "A Day At A Time," the day before her death at age 94. She wrote, "Folks, I just don't seem to be getting any better. I may write another column, I may not, but I must say you have all been wonderful. You have shared your life with me, and now I have shared mine with you. We have waged a lot of battles, won some, lost some, but they have been stimulating, exciting, and never dull.
Photo and information courtesy of Malpass Library Archives and .Mary Crabb Kerr