J.O. Crawford

J.O. Crawford, a farmer in Garfield Township, Ida County, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, February 17,1828, a son of Alexander and Mary (Floyd) Crawford, natives of Scotland.  The father was a farmer and weaver by trade. The parents reared a family of four children, William, James O., Alexander and John.  Mr. and Mrs. Crawford were members of the Presbyterian Church.

James O., the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native land. He was there engaged for many years in a cotton factory, then in a boiler-making and ship building. He then became a member of the police force in Glasgow and after only one year's service was advanced as superior officer, holding the office of Sergeant over 100 men.   He was also appointed Inspector of Markets and common lodging houses, which office he held for nine years.  He resigned and joined the Manchester police force the year of the Exhibition. He was the last one of 700 to make application that day and was the first one enrolled, and was on duty that night.  He remained on that force, much respected by his superior officers, until the Government appointed the Scotch rural police force and he was urged to return to his native land and take charge of a coal mining district.  Under the circumstances he returned to Scotland and remained on that force for sixteen years.  During all that time Mr. Crawford was never suspended or dismissed from service which he claims cannot be said of one man out of 500.  In 1879 he came to America, locating near Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, and resided there and in other sections of this State until 1882. In that year he purchased wild land in Garfield Township, Ida County, to which he has since added until he now owns 620 acres of Ida County's finest soil.  Mr. Crawford has a good residence, 16x24 feet, with an L 16x16 feet, a barn 32x34 feet, a modern wind-mill, with 700 feet of pipes sending water through all his buildings, stock scales and many other conveniences.  Five acres of his place is devoted to a beautiful grove and orchard.

Our subject was married at the age of twenty-eight years to Miss Janet Scott, a native of Douglas Castle, Lanarkshire, Scotland, and a daughter of James and Lilly (Muir) Scott. To this union was born eight children, viz.: Lilly, wife of Manley Kelley, of Delaware County, Iowa, and they have three children; Alexander, married, resides on a well-cultivated farm, adjoining his father's and has one child; Mary, wife of Jesse Norton of Garfield Township, has three children; James S. is at home; Thomas D. is at home; Janet, wife of Jacob Spotts of Maple Township, a son of one of the wealthiest and most respected citizens of Garfield Township; Agnes B. and William S., at home.

In his political views Mr. Crawford votes with the Republican Party, and has held the position of Justice of the Peace. He is one of the leading and prominent citizens of Garfield Township.