J. M. CRAWFORD J. M. Crawford is the owner of valuable landed interests in Henry county, his possessions aggregating four hundred and sixty acres, of which three hundred and seven acres is comprised within his home place. In addition to carrying on the work of the fields he has engaged in raising and feeding stock and making shipments to the Chicago market. Watchful of business opportunities, he has so controlled his interests that success has attended his efforts and he is now one of the prosperous residents of his community. He possesses many of the sterling traits of the Scottish race, of which he is a representative. A native of Glasgow, Scotland, his father, John Crawford, came from Howard county, Missouri, to Henry county, Iowa, on the 14th of March, 1835, and entered a claim near Middletown and thereon spent his remaining days. He died in 1863, at the age of sixty-five years and his wife also died upon the old home farm at Middletown, being eighty-one years of age when in 1883 she was called to her final rest. Mr. Crawford had entered one hundred and sixty acres of land which he transformed into a valuable farm of which he retained possession up to the time of his death, when it was inherited by his son, John F., who remained upon that place until his own death in June, 1905. There were fourteen children in the father's family: William D.; David W.; J. M.; Minerva N., died, the wife of Nelson McGohan; Jefferson; Robert Crusoe; Oliver Joseph; Anderson; Grandison; Carlisle; and Emily the wife of Morris Carlisle Bishop; John and Washington. Of these only J. M. Crawford and Mrs. Bishop are now living. All were residents of Henry county when they died, with the exception of Grandison, who a few months prior to his demise became a resident of Oklahoma. Carlisle was killed in the battle of Vicksburg, but his remains were brought back to Henry county for interment and here the other members of the family were also buried. They adhered to the faith of the Christian church. James Madison Crawford, whose name introduces this record, was born in Howard county, Missouri, April 7, 1825, and was therefore a young lad of ten years when brought by his parents to Henry county. When still a young lad he made a promise to himself that he would some day build a church if he lived and this promise saw its fruition in 1887, when he completed a church, which he turned over to the board of trustees, the ground and house of worship costing him three thousand dollars. When the Christian church of his home neighborhood was organized in 1845 he became one of its original members and he has since been one of its officers, serving either as elder or deacon. In fact he has held all of the positions in the church, except that of pastor and his labors have been untiring, effective and far-reaching in behalf of his denomination. Throughout his entire life Mr. Crawford has been identified with agricultural pursuits. In 1847, at the age of twenty-two years, he purchased forty acres of land in Des Moines county from James Hall and continued to reside thereon, cultivating his fields for four years. In the spring of 1853, however, he sold out there and bought eighty acres of his present place in New London township, Henry county. He also induced Jonathan King to buy the other eighty acres of the tract for him and two years from that date Mr. Crawford paid him for the land and thus came into possession of the entire quarter section, the purchase price of the second eighty acres being forty dollars per acre. He has labored persistently and energetically as the years have gone by and has gained that satisfactory reward which always results from close and remitting toil. As his financial resources have increased he has added from time to time to his landed possessions until he now owns altogether four hundred and sixty-seven acres of valuable land, of which three hundred and seven acres is comprised within the home farm. Much of the remainder is, in town lots and in small tracts around the town of New London, and he also has one hundred and sixty acres in Baltimore township which he rents. He has always made a business of raising and feeding stock, buying considerable stock, which he has fattened for the market and for sixteen years he made extensive shipments to Chicago. In all that he does he has displayed a practical and methodical spirit and his unfaltering perseverance has enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles. Mr. Crawford was married on the 9th of April, 1845, to Miss Lydia Ellen Abney, a daughter of Leonard and Ginsey Abney. Unto them were born two children: Alary Jane, who is living with her father; and Iowa Belle, who died at the age of sixteen years. The mother passed away September 16, 1858, and in 1860 Mr. Crawford wedded Julia Ann Lee. a daughter of John Lee. There were three children by this marriage: Mrs. Charity Belle Gannaway; Mrs. Frances Sanderson; and J. M. Crawford, Jr., who is the present postmaster of New London. Mr. Crawford gave his early political allegiance to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, which he has since continued to support. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, and he can look back over the years that have come and gone without regret, for his life has been honorable and upright. He has been fair and just in his business dealings and his word is as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal. He has been prompt in meeting his obligations, and at all times his life has been actuated by a kindly spirit, his course being ever in harmony with his professions as a devoted follower of the Christian church. There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of this honored and venerable gentleman, whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears the impress of the historic annals of Iowa from the early pioneer days and from the fact that he has been a loyal son of the republic and has attained a position of distinctive prominence in the community where he has retained his residence from the age of ten years to present time, being now one of the revered patriarchs of the community. ©2009 Genealogy Trails