Virgil H. Crisman proved to be a man of great energy and of many practical ideas for the benefit of the community. Having thought a matter through to its conclusion and having undertaken to accomplish its realization, he never allowed obstacles to stand in his way. He was born July 17, 1828, studied in the local schools and got to work early in life, beginning at the age of fourteen to serve his apprenticeship with William Drake, a miller of Blairstown. He had already learned the rudiments of the trade from his father, and in three years he had become a journeyman. He got his start in life by his own efforts, for he had no one else to depend on for financial aid. For the first six years after he was prepared for his trade, he ran the Shaver Mill at Stillwater on shares. By strict economy and close attention to his work he managed to get a small capital behind him, and in the spring of 1855 he moved to Branchville and purchased the flouring mill of the McDanolds estate, consisting of three run of stone. Here he continued to labor and save, and in 1868 he felt that the business which he had built up warranted an extension of the plant. He then erected a larger mill, of four run of stone, with nearby accommodations for storing the grain, situated close to the old mill, and he continued to operate both. In 1876 he purchased another mill at Branchville, owned by William Sly and Robert H. Beatty. His mills were run by water power derived from the outlet of Culvers Lake, part of which he had purchased upon settling in Branchville, and the remainder later on. Culvers Lake consists of two bodies of water, one nine feet above the other, into which it empties. This is about three and a half miles from Branchville, and the outlet of the second is a mile and a half away. Mr. Crisman's thorough study of the business of milling flour resulted in putting upon the market a product which could not be surpassed, and his name stood for only the first quality. Displaying business ability of so high an order in the management of his own affairs, Mr. Crisman was naturally sought as an adviser by other business and financial concerns, for he was considered one of the soundest business men thereabouts. He served as a director of the Sussex National Bank, and was at all times ready to lend his aid to every worthy object. He was a Republican, vitally interested in public affairs, but preferring to leave political leadership to others and confine his own efforts for the general welfare to business.

Virgil H. Crisman married Sarah E. Tunison, daughter of Tunis and Anna Tunison, of Stillwater, on Nov. 13, 1852, and they became the parents of eight children: Margaret A., (wife of Charles F. Struble) Charles H., Ellen G., Martha I., Emma E., George T., Ormento, and Isabella. He died on August 28, 1892, and his wife was laid by his side on September 30, 1916.

Charles H. Crisman, the eldest son of Virgil H. and Sarah E. Crisman was born in Stillwater Township on February 5, 1855. He was only two months old when his parents moved to Branchville, and here in the local schools he received a thorough education, carrying on at the same time a very practical training in the mill with his father. He was only six years old when he first began to go to the mill to help, so that when his studies were finished he was already well started in a knowledge of the business with which his name was by this time widely connected. His father took him in as a member of the firm while he was still young, and his brother, George T. Crisman, was also associated with them, the firm being known as V. H. Crisman & Sons. George T. Crisman died in 1891, and the Sons was changed to Son, and so continued during the life of the senior member of the firm, when the industry was carried on under the name of C. H. Crisman. Having early mastered the milling business Mr. Crisman's mind went afield to find other opportunities, and by careful study he aquired a knowledge of electricity, which had placed him among recognized experts in this most modern field, though in this subject he was self-taught. Before the close of the last century, he had founded the Branchville Light Company, the plant being erected in 1892 in connection with his mill. In 1907 the demand had made imperative an entirely new equipment. Within two years from its inception the demand had called for increased machinery. Then in 1898 new turbine wheels were set in motion and a thousand light alternator Edison system was installed. Five years later the company was incorporated, with Charles H. Crisman at its head, and the new company took under immediate consideration the needs of the community and nearby districts. A new power house, with new dynamos and modern accessories were built; a 160 horse-power turbine wheel and a capacity of 4,000 canle power now enabled the plant to supply Branchville, Culver's Lake, and the entire rural community within a three mile radius with excellent electric light service. Mr. Crisman's knowledge of electricity, like his knowledge of flour and flour mills, is not theoretical but intensely practical. After putting in running order the Branchville plant, which was sold in March of 1923 to the New Jersey Power Company, he turned his attention to other communities in that region and built the Blairstown plant, then the Blair Hall Electric Light Co. in 1896, then the Stanhope plant, known as the Wills Brook Electic Light plant, and a private plant in Andover for S.S. Wills. He later rebuilt the Sussex plant at Woodburn.

Charles H. Crisman was united in marriage on March 31, 1880, to Ida McDanolds. Their only child, Irene, married Frank E. McNeilie, of Branchville. Mr. and Mrs. McNeilie had a son, Charles Dean McNeilie.