". . . . . . R. S. F. CRAWFORD
is a native son of old Ireland, and in him are exemplified those sturdy
qualities for which the natives of the isle of the shamrock are noted. He was
born on May 9, 1844, and is a son of Samuel F. and Anna Maria (WEST)
CRAWFORD, both of whom also were natives of Ireland. The
subject's uncle, John B. WEST, was a man of local influence and importance,
having defeated Daniel O'CONNELL for Parliament from Dublin,
the latter being recognized as one of Ireland's strongest men. The subject's
father was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and in 1848 he brought his
family to the United States. For nine years he was the second steward at Ward's
Island, being under the immediate authority of the commissioner of immigration.
On September 14, 1855, he came to Fayette county, Iowa, and bought farm land, to
the improvement and cultivation of which he thereafter devoted himself. He
owned two hundred acres of fine land which he developed into a good farm, on
which he resided until his death, which occurred on July 7, 1897. In politics
he took an independent attitude, but so high was he held in general esteem that
he was chairman of the first board of supervisors in Fayette county and for some
years he served as tax collector and justice of the peace. He was a splendid
rifle shot, being considered the best wing shot in Fayette county. He and his
wife were members of the Episcopal church and while residing in New York City
were members of St. George's church. Of their ten children, five are living.
The mother of these children died on March 11, 1897, at the age of eighty-nine
years, her husband having been but a year younger at the time of his death. The
subject's oldest brother now living, William F. CRAWFORD, gave
his adopted country faithful service during the Civil war, having first enlisted
in the Third Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was placed under the command
of Commodore FOOTE, as fourth quartermaster. After his
discharge, he re-enlisted in the Sixth Regiment Iowa Cavalry, under Capt. Allen
AINSWORTH, and served until the close of the war, when he
received an honorable discharge. He is now acting as inspector of United States
war vessels at Bremerton.
R.S.F. Crawford received his education in the
public schools of New York City and the common schools of Fayette county, and he
was reared to the life of a farmer, from which line of effort he has never
departed. He is now the owner of three hundred and forty-two acres of land,
which he devotes to diversified farming. Mr. Crawford has given special
attention to the buying and feeding of cattle for market and in this line he has
met with marked success, having found it a profitable source of income. His
farm is highly improved and well equipped, being numbered among the best farms
of the township.
Politically, Mr. Crawford was aligned with the
Democratic party until Cleveland's administration, since which time he has taken
an independent attitude, though, strictly speaking, he would be termed a
progressive Republican. He is giving efficient service as school treasurer of
his township. Fraternally, he was at one time an active Freemason, but is not
now affiliated with any blue lodge.
In August, 1904, Mr. Crawford was
married to Alice Fannie REESE, who was born in Kane county,
Illinois, the daughter of William and Hattie (SMITH) REESE,
the former a native of Somersetshire, England, the latter of New York state.
They moved to Kane county, Illinois, and subsequently came to Fayette county,
Iowa, where the mother's death occurred, Mr. Reese now living at Maynard, this
county. Mr. Crawford has one stepson, William H. PRATT. . . .
."