William Crow

CROW

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:14:24

William Crow few men have more potent factors in the4 business advancement and progress in Boone county than has William Crowe, who is closely associated with eh coal mining interests of this portion of the state. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities, obtaining requirements which are sought in the schools and in the books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character, and this is what Mr crow has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose, and gained a most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever furthered those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit a community, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation. Mr Crowe was born in Scotland, February 17, 1847, his parents being Garvin and Margaret (Bullock) Crowe. Th3e paternal grandfather, William Crowe, lived to be more than ninety years of age. The father of our subject spent his entire life in his native land and in early life was connected with a bleaching factory. He also followed farming to some extent and he died in 1898 at the age of seventy years. His widow died in 1899 at the age of seventy-three years. He was an active and energetic man, reliable in business, faithful in friendship and true to every duty of life. He and his wife were constant members of the Presbyterian church. In their family were three sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living, namely William of this review, Garvin, James, who is a resident of Boone, Margaret wife of Garvin Loumbie, Marian, the wife of William McMehen, and Christine, the wife of Robert Prentice. The last three are residents of Scotland. The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Bullock, a weaver by trade, who followed that calling in Scotland for some time and afterward conducted a coal yard. He died at the age of seventy years, while his widow, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Davidson, passed away at the age of sixty-five years. In their family were five children, while in the family of the paternal grandfather there were the following named: James Archibald, Garvin, Maria, and Jane.
In the year 1866 William Crowe left he village of Larkhall in Scotland and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, locating first in Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Illinois, but after three years returned to Pennsylvania. When a short time had passed he took up his abode in Ohio, where in 1871 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Marshall of Hubbard, Trumbull county, and in 1876 they came to Boone, Iowa, and Mr Crowe has since been and active factor in the coal development of this portion of the state. He has drilled for coal in Ames, Iowa and some years later became connected with the coal trade in Boone. For eighteen years he was in partnership with George Rogers who on the expiration of that period, sold his interests to John Marshall, who was a partner of Mr Crowe until his death in November 1899, their business relations having dated form 1894. In November of that year Mr Crowe settled u on business and on March 6, 1900, he organized the Crowe coal Mining Company, consisting of William Crowe as president and general manager, James Crowe as vice president and secretary and Gavin Crowe as treasurer. The company developed the mines in Des Moines township, starting from the surface and their enterprise has proved a very valuable one to the community. Mr Crowe has employed more men than any other person interested in coal mining in his time in Boone. He has brought the business through perils to success and is now enjoying an excellent income and is a man of splendid executive ability, keen discernment and enterprise.
Unto Mr and Mrs Crowe have been born the following children: Agnes, the wife of Leslie M Strong, Margaret the wife of George Johnson, Mary the wife of Oscar E Anderson, Christine Anna E, who was married June 18, 1902 to J B Bergstrom, a native of Boone county, now connected with Ellsworth a Jenkins in the real estate business at Fargo, North Dakota, may, William g, George roger, Harry James, and Lester Verne.
Mr Crowe has been president of the school board of Boone for one year and for twelve years was one of its members. He has also served on the city council. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias lodge. He and his wife belong the Baptist church. In 1888 he visited the land of his birth again looking upon the scenes amid which his childhood was passed, and renewing the friendships and acquaintances of his youth. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Boone than Mr Crowe. In business affairs Mr Crowe is energetic, prompt and notably reliable. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense, guided by resistless will power, are the chief characteristics of the man. Justice has ever been maintained in his relations to patrons and employees, and many of those who began with him at he commencement of his career are still in his service. He has not been slow to assist and encourage others who have left his employ to enter business for themselves, and in return he naturally has the loyal support of all the employee3s of the house. He has been watchful of all the details of his business and of the indications pointing toward prosperity, and from the beginning had an abiding faith in the ultimate success if his enterprise. He has gained wealth, yet it was not alone the goal for which he was striving, and he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promoter ht general prosperity while advancing individual interests.

1902 Boone County History Book