College and was employed by Ford Motor Company in Decorah prior to enlisting in the Army during World War II. He served in Africa and Europe and returned home to farm for a few years. For 30 years he was employed by Ford Motor Co. in Phoenix and Kingman, AZ and Los Angeles. He retired in 1985 from his position as engineer of the Emission Control Lab. at Pico Rivera, CA.

Jean Shirley, was educated in the Frankville and Postville Public Schools, graduating in 1939. She worked for USDA-AAA prior to her marriage to Roger Leland Sampson of Decorah 13 Sep 1942. They farmed and lived on the family farm on the edge of Frankville. (See Roger Sampson history and Jean Sampson history).

Crawford, Thomas J. and Helen (Cavin)

(Jean Shirley Sampson)

Thomas J. Crawford was born in 1862 and died in 1940 in Frankville, IA. His parents were Thomas and Louise (Sherman) Crawford, both residents of Frankville. Louise's parents were James G. Sherman, born in Canada in 1813, and his wife Isobel Clark, born in Canada in 1815. James and Isobel were married in 1837 and traveled to Frankville by covered wagon with 6 of their children in 1852: Louise, Laura, James, George, William and Mathilda. Clark, Isaiah and Sarah were born in Frankville. Thomas died in the Civil War and Louise later married John Todd and moved to Sanborn, IA. They had 2 children: Edith and Fred.

Thomas J. married Helen Cavin 29 Jan 1883. They had 4 children: Stella married Fred E. Waters; Lynn B. married Ruth Marston; Irving L. married Alma Leer; and Charles C. married Florence Burtis.

Frankville Hall being on the second story. His parents were Samuel B. and Sally Cavin. Helen’s brothers were Charles and James.

Thomas J. and Helen Maria lived on their farm on the edge of Frankville where Thomas J. operated a livestock farm raising and selling registered shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. They remained on the farm until Mar 1918 when they moved to their home in Decorah. After Helen’s death Thomas J. married Irma Kraut at Fairfield, IA. Thomas J. was active in Farm Bureau and was a fifty year Mason. He died at his home in Des Moines, IA in 1940.

Thomas J. Crawford Family pictured at home in Frankville.

Seated in front left to right: Irving L. and Charles C.. Back left to right: Thomas J., Stella, Lynn B. and Helen M.

Helen Maria Cavin was born in Waukon, IA 27 Sep 1858 to Theodore and Julia Cavin who died when she was only 10 years old. Helen then lived with her grandparents, Addison and Ada Cavin, who moved to Frankville in the spring of 1872. Addison owned a general store,