1962 Peabody Ave. Memphis, TN
Circa 1909. 2-story Colonial Revival home
Edward Hull Crump (1874-1954) and Bessie Byrd McLean Crump (1877-1959) built this home on a full acre. They wed in 1902. Crump was an ambitious young man from Holly Springs, MS. Bessie’s parents were Robert M. and Carrie B. McLean. They were a prominent family in Memphis, and McLean was president of William Moore Dry Goods Co. Bessie was about the most beautiful and prominent socialite in Memphis.
Crump started as a cotton broker and trader. His in-laws spotted him money to buy Woods-Chickasaw Manufacturing Co. where Crump worked and changed the name to E. H. Crump Buggy and Harness Co.
Later, he entered politics and rose steadily. Crump amassed tremendous political power through a variety of means during his lifetime and earned the nickname ‘Boss” Crump. Crump was elected to Memphis Public Works in 1905. Two years later, he became Police Commissioner. In 1909, he was elected Mayor of Memphis for 5 years. IN 1916, he became a County Trustee for 8 years until 1927. Then he spearheaded the campaign to get Watkins Overton elected mayor. Political power secured, “Boss” Crump selected every mayor until 1954. He became a U.S. Congressman from 1931-35. Crump facilitated the Memphis Park system - Audubon Park, Tom Lee Park, Thomas Edison Park. He was a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution. After about 1940, he retired from active political office, remained a political force and resumed his business and farming activities. Forty years after building the home and after Bessie passed away, in 1959, Crump sold the home.
At one point, the home was owned by the Duration Club and then became a school for the handicapped children. The 1950s saw the lot be subdivided in the backside for several duplexes.
In 1978, James A. and Sylvia Shephard purchased the property and resided there for 22 years. Shepherd was a Memphis native, an Ole Miss graduate, and naval officer. He returned to Memphis for a career in insurance and real estate. Vacant for a year, the Prossers purchased property.
In 2000-2020, Niel Prosser and Sarah Prosser owned it. They are attorneys: Niel with Prosser, Clapper & Johnson. In 2021, the owners were Rhamy Larry Alejeal and Elizabeth Alejeal. They are founders of Peoples Processes. Alejeal is a Human Resources professional with a podcast and a number one rate Amazon bestseller, People Processes: How Your People Can Be Your Organization’s Competitive Advantage. NR 1979
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