San Mateo County CA Archives Biographies.....Crowe, James March 13, 1841 - January 4, 1913
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com and Regina Gualco rmgualco@yahoo.com August 3, 2006, 11:30 pm

Author: S. J. Clarke (1928)

JAMES CROWE

   James Crowe was one of the most notable of the men who aided in pushing
forward the wheels of progress in Redwood City and San Mateo county. He came to
this section of the state during the formative period in its history and through
his constructive labors helped to make possible the present era of growth and
prosperity. A man of vision, courage and initiative, he never failed to achieve
his objective, and his influence for good deepened as he advanced in years.

   Mr. Crowe was a native of the north of Ireland. He was born March 13, 1841,
and during his infancy the family migrated to Canada. He grew to manhood in the
Dominion and became a carpenter. He arrived in San Francisco in March, 1868, and
a few months later came to Redwood City, where he spent the remainder of his
life. He was employed at his trade for a time and when he had acquired
sufficient capital entered the contracting field. He erected many of the city's
substantial buildings and early in the '70s opened the first undertaking
establishment in this locality. He prospered in the venture and was thus engaged
until his demise on the 4th of January, 1913. He maintained a high standard of
service and in the conduct of the business exhibited those kindly traits which
endeared him alike to the rich and the poor. He was also well known as a
financier, serving for a number of years as vice president of the San Mateo
Savings Bank, and was likewise one of the directors of the San Mateo County
Building & Loan Association. His associates relied upon his judgment and his
name lent additional prestige to the institutions with which he was connected.

   Mr. Crowe was married to Lucy Smith Ritchie, a member of an English family.
They had become acquainted in Canada.   Four daughters were born to them,
namely:  Mrs. Belle Wentworth, of Berkeley, California; Mrs. M. J. Brizzard,
whose home is in Burlingame, this state; Alice; and Florence, the wife of W. A.
Crowell, who is manager of the James Crowe Funeral Home of Redwood City.

   Mr. Crowe was the organizer of St. Peter's Episcopal Club, known to the
children as Crowe's Club. He furnished funds for its maintenance for many years
and entertained the minister at his home before a resident clergyman was
appointed. His fraternal affiliations were with the Masons, the Knights of
Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Although averse to the turmoil of political life, he was never neglectful of the
duties and obligations of citizenship and for eighteen years held the offices of
coroner and public administrator. In the early corporate existence of Redwood
City he was a member of its board of trustees and displayed rare qualities as a
public servant. He was affectionately termed "Father Crowe" and numbered his
friends by the hundreds. He was modest and unassuming, generous and high-minded,
and of him it may truthfully be said:

   "None knew him but to love him, 
    None named him but to praise."

Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY
OF
SAN MATEO
COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO, ILL. 
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1928

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanmateo/bios/crowe372gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/

File size: 3.8 Kb