James A. Crawford 1863-1934

CRAWFORD, LARBIG, MCCALL, BOTHWELL, COOPER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/10/2012 at 23:44:00

J.A. Crawford Funeral Will Be Tomorrow
Is At Presbyterian Church
Funeral services for J.A. Crawford, 71, former prominent Estherville business man, will be held tomorrow at 2:30 in the Presbyterian church. The Rev. Arthur G. Bailey will be in charge of the services at the church and at the Oak Hill cemetery.

Mr. Crawford, for 51 years a resident of Emmet county, died at 9 p.m. Friday [December 29, 1933] from complications of injuries received while cranking his car.

He operated a meat market in Estherville for 35 years before his retirement five years ago.

Mr. Crawford is survived by his widow, three sons, Carl, Dave and Roy, a brother, D.G. Crawford of Woodfield, O., two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth McCall of Woodsfield and Mrs. Lydia Bothwell of Los Angeles.

Charles Keeler, Alex Johnston, George Elbe, J.E. Wilson, Vance Noe, and R.O. Clark will act as pallbearers.

Members of the Elks lodge are asked to meet at 2 p.m. at the lodge hall to attend the funeral in a body. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, January 2, 1934)

J.A. Crawford Pioneer and Business Man Passes Away
J.A. Crawford, better known to our citizens as “Jim”, passed away at the Coleman hospital last Sunday morning [Friday night] about nine o’clock.

Mr. Crawford was injured by an auto a few days ago before and was rushed to the hospital. He started a car and got in. In some manner it backed up suddenly and then forwards. He was thrown heavily probably against the steering gear and was injured in the chest. For several years, his health has not been the best and with these complications his condition soon became serious. His death was not caused from the injuries alone.

Mr. Crawford has been a resident of this county for over fifty years and is one of our pioneers. He was in business in this city thirty-five years ago. The generation, when the editor was a boy about here, knew Mr. Crawford as “Jim” and he was always kind and generous to the boys and girls and they all loved him. He has always enjoyed a wonderful business here and one of the reasons was because of his cheery manner and his services to his customers.

He has been in the market business and at one time ran a hotel and eating house along with the market and grocery business

He is survived by a widow and three sons, Roy, Carl and David, all residing in this city and Carl and David in the business here.

The funeral services were held this afternoon from the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Arthur G. Baily officiating. The business houses were closed from two-thirty until three-thirty in honor of their retiring business man. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, January 3, 1934)

James A. Crawford, 71, better known as “Jim” to the hundreds of friends which he made in Estherville during his 51 years of residence here died at the Coleman hospital Friday night at 9 o’clock of injuries which he suffered Wednesday morning while starting his car. Mr. Crawford stepped on the starter while the car was in gear and he was shaken violently when the car banged backward into a building. He did not realize that he had been injured until later in the day. His condition became serious Thursday and he sank rapidly.

Mr. Crawford was born at Antioch, Ohio, on August 22, 1863. He was the eldest of six children born to T.J. and Mary Elizabeth Crawford. He lived at home until 18 years of age attending school and working for his father. He then came to Vinton, Iowa where he lived with an uncle, William Cooper for a time. A little later he went to Cedar Rapids and worked in a dairy; later learning the butcher’s trade. He came to Emmet county in 1883 and engaged in farming. January 12, 1892 he was united in marriage to Agnes Larbig. Five children were born to this union of whom three survived him, Roy, Carl and David.

Surviving him besides his widow and three sons are two grandchildren, one brother, D.G. Crawford and a sister Mrs. Elizabeth McCall residing at Woodfield, Ohio, and a second sister, Mrs. Lydia Bothwell at Los Angeles, Calif.

He has been very active in various business interests of the community and was one of the oldest business men in Emmet county. He was a member of the Elks lodge and of the Presbyterian church.

Funeral service were held Wednesday afternoon from at 2:30 from the Presbyterian church with Rev. A. G. Bailey officiating. Interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery. Pallbearers were Charles Keeler, Alex Johnston, George Elbe, J.E. Wilson, Vance Noe, and R.O. Clark. Members of the Elks lodge attended in a body.

Business houses of the city were closed by order of Mayor Whelan during the hours of service as a mark of respect. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 4, 1934)