Jackson County IA Archives Biographies.....Crawford, James K. 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ken Wright wright@prestontel.com January 5, 2011, 3:08 am

Source: History of Jackson County, Iowa
Author: J. W. Ellis

JAMES K. CRAWFORD. 

Prominent among the substantial and enterprising citizens of Van Buren township 
who are devoting their entire lives to agricultural pursuits and through their 
well directed efforts are meeting with gratifying success is numbered James K. 
Crawford. A native of Minnesota, his birth occurred on the 4th of February, 
1861, a son of William and Mary (Martin) Crawford, natives of Ireland, who came 
to America in the '40s. Upon arriving in this country they first took up their 
abode in New York state but later made their way west to Iowa, locating in 
Jackson county, where they resided for only a short time. Subsequently they 
removed to Minnesota and continued to make their home in that state for eight 
years, after which they returned to Jackson county, where their remaining days 
were spent, the father passing away on the 13th of March, 1885, and the mother 
surviving until 1901. In their family were three children, namely: Mary Jane, 
now deceased; William M., Jr., residing in Jackson county; and James K., of 
this review. 
The last named was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in 
the public schools, while the periods of vacation were devoted to assisting his 
father in the cultivation of the fields. He remained on the home farm until 
twenty-three years of age, and in the meantime, amid the busy activities of 
rural life, laid the foundation for future success in hard labor and 
comprehensive experience. Then, seeking to enter the business world on his own 
account, he removed to his present farm in Van Buren township, where he has 
since continued to make his home. Here he has directed his entire energies to 
tilling the soil and with the passing of the years has brought his fields under 
a high state of cultivation, annually gathering rich harvests as the reward for 
his care and labor. As he has prospered he has added to his property holdings 
and is now the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land in Woodbury county, 
Iowa, in addition to his home farm consisting of three hundred acres located on 
sections 23, 24 and 26, Van Buren township, all under a high state of 
cultivation. He practices rotation of crops, has made a thorough study of the 
cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and so carefully and wisely manages 
his affairs that he is meeting with most excellent results in his agricultural 
pursuits. 
On the 1st of October, 1884, Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Allie 
Koch, a native of Clinton county, Iowa, and a daughter of Daniel and Treville 
(Kramm) Koch. Both parents were born in Pennsylvania and after their marriage 
came west to Iowa, locating in Clinton, while later they took up their abode in 
Miles, Jackson county. In 1903 Mr. Koch went to California, and while on this 
trip died at Oakland as the result of pneumonia. His wife, who was one of a 
family of six children, still survives and at the age of seventyfive years 
makes her home in Miles. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crawford was born one son, Lisle, 
who married Miss Lula Minneke, of Jackson county, and they also have one son, 
Kenneth. 
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in the work of which they are active and helpful. Mr. Crawford is now 
serving as trustee and steward, while his wife is a member of the Aid Society. 
In politics he is a stalwart republican, giving stanch support to the 
principles of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. 
He is not an office seeker, however, although he is public spirited in his 
citizenship, supporting many public movements and taking a commendable interest 
in all those things which tend to further the upbuilding and progress of the 
community. Honorable purposes and an upright life have won him the respect and 
confidence of his fellowmen, and he is popular with a large circle of friends, 
which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. 
J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910 




File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/jackson/bios/crawford200nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/iafiles/

File size: 4.6 Kb