California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


BENJAMIN F. CROW. At the foundation of the agricultural success of Benjamin F. Crow 
is a determination to do well whatever task he undertakes, and to regard honest toil 
as the rightful heritage of the healthy, normal mind. He not only follows willingly the 
occupation of his forefathers, but seeks to improve upon their methods, and to dignify 
by study and research the oldest means of livelihood to which man is heir. His entire life 
has been spent in California. He was born near Oakdale, this state, October 30, 1866, 
the third oldest in a family of four sons and three daughters. His father, Lewis J., is one of 
the few remaining argonauts of '49 to still retain interest in life, and recall the trials and 
deprivations which greeted the courageous travelers from the east. He is one of the first 
who settled in Stanislaus county, where he began to raise stock on the Orestimba creek 
from where he eventually removed to his present home near Oakdale. 

When he was two years old Benjamin F. Crow went to live with his paternal uncle, B. H. 
Crow, who was not blessed with children of his own, and ever since the two have been insepa- 
rable and always friendly associates. The boy was educated in the public schools and given a 
business training in the Stockton Business College, after which he continued to farm with his 
uncle, and eventually became a land owner near the latter's farm. He now owns a hundred and 
sixty acres under the ditch, and leases seven hundred and forty acres for grain and cattle rais- 
ing, five hundred acres of this being also under irrigation. His property is well cared for and 
well adapted to the purpose intended, and the future will doubtless witness additions to the 
scope of Mr. Crow's resources. He has the inspiration of an interesting family to back him 
in his ambitions, his three sons, Benjamin Thomas, Roy Franklin and Arthur Ward, already dis- 
playing the traits which have made their father's success possible. Mr. Crow married in Oakdale, 
Ida Ward, a native of Stanislaus county, Cal., to whose wise counsel and economy he owes the 
encouragement and sympathy which have brightened his home and helped him in his upward 
course. Although in no sense a politician, he is a stanch Democrat, upholding the interests of 
his party with the same zeal and practical helpfulness which have caused him to be regarded 
as one of the community's most enlightened and progressive citizens.