[p. 963] a progressive farmer and well known and respected citizen of Big Beaver Township, was born in North Beaver Township, this county, October 28, 1854, son of James and Nancy (Lindsey) Crawford.
James Crawford, the father, was born near Liverpool, Ohio, in 1822, and was a son of William Crawford, of Scotch-Irish descent, who died in this State. On coming to this section the latter had settled near Liverpool, where in early days he followed farming. He died on his farm when in middle life. His widow, Eliza (Henderson) Crawford, died later at Sharon, Pa., at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: James; Robert, who is deceased; William, who resides in the State of Florida; Jane, now deceased, who was the wife of Charles Everetts; Mary, who became the wife of John Hoover; Isabella, wife of Thomas Bagnell, and Richard, who died in boyhood.
James Crawford, who was his parents' eldest child, remained in Ohio until he was about sixteen years of age, at which time the family came to Lawrence County. Here James was married to Nancy Lindsey, a daughter of John and Ann (Carlisle) Lindsey. Her father was a native of County Down, Ireland, and a weaver by trade. He and his wife Ann were married in Ireland and there five of their children were born, they becoming the parents of five more after coming to this country. They were as follows: Jane, who married Samuel Stewart, both being now deceased; Sarah Ann, who married John Patterson, they also being now deceased; John and Robert, deceased; Maria, born in Ireland, who married M. Right and is now deceased, as is also her husband; Susannah, now deceased; Nancy, widow of James Crawford; Charlotta, widow of Robert Jenkins, now deceased; Margaret, who was the wife of Joseph Wilson, both being now deceased, and Elizabeth, who married William Michaels and is also deceased with her husband. On coming from Ireland the family first located at Baltimore for a short time, where Mr. Lindsey had an uncle residing with whom they obtained shelter. They then moved to Camp Run and thence came to Lawrence County, settling in the woods. Both parents died here at a ripe old age, the mother passing away first. Their daughter Nancy (Mrs. James Crawford) was born at Camp Run, October 15, 1831, and was a child when the family came to Lawrence County. She was educated in the old log schoolhouse, and when a girl of eighteen joined the United Presbyterian Church at Bethel. At the age of twenty-two she became the wife of James Crawford.
After his marriage, James Crawford bought a small place in North Beaver Township, which he later sold, buying a farm near Mt. Jackson. This also he sold in a few years and bought the present Crawford farm of 120 acres in Big Beaver Township, and 100 acres in North Beaver Township, his house being in Big Beaver and his barn in North Beaver Township. In his younger days James Crawford followed bricklaying and stone-cutting, building many walls throughout this section, which are still in good condition. That he was well thought of by his fellow citizens is proved by the fact that he was elected county commissioner on the Republican ticket and was sworn in, but died before he had an opportunity to enter upon the duties of the office. He belonged to no fraternal orders, but was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Nancy were the parents of seven children, as follows: William Henderson, Samuel W.; Edwin W., who is assistant postmaster at New Castle; Thomas Porter, who resides on the old homestead; Robert James; Silas Elmer, and one who died in infancy. James Crawford died on the homestead in January, 1891, and is survived by his widow, who is now past the age of seventy-eight years. She resides on her 220-acre farm in North Beaver and Big Beaver Townships, about seven miles south of New Castle, and is one of the most respected residents in that locality, where she has passed the greater part of her life.
William Henderson Crawford was reared on his father's farm in North Beaver Township, and in his early days assisted in the farm work. He attended the schools of the district, and then worked five years at the trade of a stone-cutter. At the age of twenty-one years he went west to Noble County, Indiana, where he worked on a farm for six years, during which time he was married. He subsequently returned with his bride to Lawrence County, and began railroading on the Allegheny Valley Railroad. He was employed as fireman five years, then was promoted to engineer, in which capacity he served eleven years. In 1892 he purchased his present farm of fifty-eight acres in Big Beaver Township, of Joseph McAnlis, it being a part of the old William McAnlis homestead. At the end of his railroad service he located upon this farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, farming also a part of his mother's land. A man of great energy and enterprise, progressive in the methods he employs and a capable manager, he has prospered and attained a position of affluence in the community.
Mr. Crawford was married in December, 1883, to Miss Elmira Thumma, a daughter of John Thumma, who was an early day resident of Ohio, and from there moved to Noble County, Indiana. This marriage was blessed by the birth of seven children, three of whom died in infancy: William J., who teaches school and is preparing himself for the profession of a civil engineer at Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio; Florence, who attended school at Brighton, Pa., and is now teaching; Nancy, and Mary. Mr. Crawford has been a life-long Republican, and has served as mercantile appraiser. He was formerly a member of the Order of Odd Fellows; the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He resides in a comfortable house, and his farm is well located, being seven miles southwest of New Castle, near the Pennsylvania, Lake Erie and Baltimore & Ohio Railroads.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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