Crawley, John Francis; 1905 Bio, Pitkin County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pitkin/bios/crawleyjf.txt --------------------------------------- Donated April 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- John Francis Crawley Beginning life for himself at the age of fourteen as a farm hand at ten dollars a month and his board, and since then hoeing his own row with assiduous industry and making his way slowly but steadily toward a substantial competence and a firm footing in the good will and esteem of his fellow men, undaunted by danger and undeterred by difficulties and adversities, John F. Crawley, one of the best and most successful business men of Aspen, exhibits in a forcible manner the value of pluck, determination and courage in the race for supremacy among men, and gives an impressive proof of the wealth of opportunity open to diligence, thrift and capacity in the American republic. He was born on May 24, 1854, in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, the son of Michael and Rose (O'Brien) Crawley, natives of Ireland who came to the United States in 1830 and located in what were then the wilds of Wisconsin. There the father was prosperous as a laborer and reared his family of seven children, one of the eight born to him having died in infancy. He was a loyal and active Democrat in politics and he and his wife were members of the Catholic church. He ended his labors and laid down his trust on May 30, 1891, and his wife followed him to the spirit world on July 7, 1899. Their seven surviving children are John Francis, James E., Mary J., Julia E., Wilsey, Joseph and Louis H. The first born, John Francis, had but little opportunity for acquiring the education of the schools, since as has been noted, he was obliged to go to work for himself at the age of fourteen as a farm hand. His compensation during the first two years of his service was ten dollars a month and his board. The money consideration was then raised to sixteen dollars a month, and at the close of his engagement he was getting twenty-two. But he had aspirations above being a laborer for wages and about the year 1876 apprenticed himself to a butcher in Milwaukee to learn the business. He began with a compensation of ten dollars a month, and four years later, at the close of his apprenticeship, was receiving twenty-five. In the winter of 1880-81 he came to Colorado and located at Leadville, where he received good wages in the same occupation, and a year later, on January 4, 1882, he entered the business of butchering for himself in partnership with three others under the firm name of J.F. Crawley & Company. They bought sheep in New Mexico and fattened them in the mountains near Leadville, after which they were slaughtered and sold as mutton. Soon after forming the partnership Mr. Crawley moved to Ogden and opened a meat market there, his partner driving sheep for the business up from New Mexico. The health of his family was poor at Ogden and he was obliged to return to Leadville. Then being dissatisfied with the business outlook, after leaving his market for a time in charge of Mr. Morrison, he sold out to him, the two dividing the real estate of which they were joint owners harmoniously between them. In 1892 Mr. Crawley moved to Aspen and purchased E.M. Dawson's grocery. He then formed a partnership with Grover W. Tobin and they added a meat market to the business. The partnership continued until the fall of 1899, when Mr. Crawley bought his partner's interest and he has since conducted the business alone. By close attention to its requirements and good business capacity he has made a gratifying success of his undertaking and is now considered one of the leading business men of the county. He is also interested in mining, having a number of promising claims of his own at Idaho Springs. He has in addition his residence property at Ogden. He takes an earnest interest in public affairs and warmly supports the principles and candidates of the Democratic party. In fraternal circles he is connected with the United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, the Red Men, the Wolf Tones and the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife are devoted members of the Catholic church. On February 5, 1884, he was married to Miss Maggie A. McKoen, like himself a native of Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and the daughter of Thomas and Ann McKoen, who were born and reared in Ireland and emigrated to the United States early in life. Her father is a farmer in business and a faithful Democrat in politics. His wife died in 1899, leaving two children, a son, John Henry McKoen, and Mrs. Crawley. Since 1901 the father has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Crawley. They have two children, Francis Henry, and James Marshall. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.