Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Crawford, Bradley B. 1901
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net January 15, 2010, 1:54 pm

Belding Banner, 1 Aug 1901

B.B. Crawford joins the great majority.  A man conspicuous for years in this 
vicinity noted for remarkable social qualities, and excellent judgment in 
public affairs.

Mr. Crawford was born in Livingston Co. N.Y., July 6th, 1826, and when a lad of 
nine years immigrated to Michigan, where he remained with his parents in the 
southern part of the state until 23 years of age.

In 1852, he located in Fairplains, Montcalm Co., where he soon became a leader 
serving his township as supervisor, was its clerk for 15 years and Justice of 
the Peace 16 years.

In 1880, he exchanged his farm for one in Ionia Co., and when he moved from 
Montcalm Co., it became necessary for him to resign seven different positions 
of official trust, while others as officers in his respective lodges and etc. 
were retained.  He was by this time an old man, and avoided as much as possible 
the burdens of new public responsibilities, and passed his declining years 
surrounded by members of his family and a host of new made friends and 
neighbors as well as his old ones.

Mr. Crawford was a leader among well-to-do people, and a father to the poor.  
For 18 years he held the position of Superintendent of the poor in Montcalm Co. 
and when he made his farewell visit to the Montcalm County poor house, the 
tears coursed  down many a poor old cheek as the inmates bade farewell to 
“Uncle Brad” as their trusted counselor and protector.

Mr. Crawford was many years prominent in the Grange and only ceased to be a 
regular attendant when his health would no longer permit.  He was a member of 
the Greenville lodge of I.O.O.F. and was otherwise identified with various 
fraternities and clubs.

In politics, a consistent Republican, in religious views, a clear sighted 
believer in the immortality of man.  Shortly before he died, he said “I know 
there is a great Supernatural Power, that wills and controls the destiny of 
men, and that this life is not all of man’s mission to perform.  There is an 
hereafter; I shall soon know what it is; I am glad I am ready.  I welcome the 
approaching end; it will be but the lying down to sleep a little while, then to 
assume new duties in that station to which an all wise God will appoint me.”

Jan. 1st 1851, Mr. Crawford was married to Miss Mary J. Dickens, who now 
survives him as do four of their eight children.  The living are John A. of 
Chicago, Wm. B. of St. Louis, Emmet W. of Six Lakes and Mrs. Nora Johnston of 
Otisco.  He leaves a large number of grandchildren and a saddened neighborhood.

His faults never wronged others so much as they inconvenienced himself.  He was 
truly generous to a fault, and like Caesar the good he did only lives after 
him, and it will be no small monument of remembrance to many people in many 
stations of life.

Let the world grow full of as good men as B.B. Crawford, who expired at his 
home in Otisco July 25th, at 7:30 p.m.  Aged 75 years, 19 days.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the old home, 
Rev. D.E. Hills officiating.  The sons and grandsons acted as pallbearers, and 
the burial took place in the Otisco cemetery.


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