OBIT: John A. CRAWFORD, 1916, Tyrone, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by DBA & JRB

Copyright 2006, 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_________________________________________ 

John A. Crawford, a prominent resident of Tyrone, died suddenly at 9:30 
Friday morning.  He was born in Sinking Valley July 14, 1834.  Mr. 
Crawford was one of the organizers of the First National bank of 
Tyrone, and was a director of the institution.

Martinsburg Herald, December 1, 1916

John A. Crawford

  The community was shocked Friday morning when it became known that 
John A. Crawford, one of Tyrone's venerable and prominent men, had 
passed away suddenly from heart trouble.  Mr. Crawford, although an 
octogenarian, had enjoyed comparatively good health despite his age, 
and had little illness until about a year ago, when he was confined to 
his home with the same trouble which caused his demise.  The second 
attack proved fatal, and came upon him on Tenth street as he was 
walking from his home to the First National Bank building, where he had 
some business to attend to in his capacity as a director and secretary 
of the directorate.  He left his home on Washington avenue shortly 
after 9 o'clock and had reached the residence of Mrs. Mary Boyer when 
he fell over prostrated, and expired at once.  He was carried into the 
Boyer home and a doctor summoned who pronounced him dead.  The body was 
later removed to the home, 864 Washington avenue.  
  John Armstrong Crawford was born and raised in Sinking Valley, where 
his parents, Captain James Crawford and Eunice Tubbs Crawford, were 
early residents.  The date of his birth was July 14, 1834.  When a very 
young man, he worked first for the iron works near Hollidaysburg and 
later entered the employment of the Pennsylvania Railroad company at 
Newport, Perry county, as their agent there.  His ambitions soon turned 
back to the scene of his birth and he entered the milling business with 
his brother Isaac, now deceased, the two brothers operating a store 
there, besides the flour mill, which has flourished ever since, being 
known as the Arch Spring mill.  He continued actively in these pursuits 
until twenty years ago, when he retired and came to Tyrone to live, and 
had since been one of the community's most respected and useful 
citizens.  He was one of the organizers of the First National bank of 
Tyrone, and was made a member of the board of directors, as well as its 
secretary, which office he held at the time of his death.  His wise 
counsel and careful deliberations were a valuable asset to the 
institution.  He was elected to the office of poor director of Blair 
county in 1884 and served for the ensuing nine years.  His Christian 
life was an inspiration to those who knew him.  He was a member of the 
Arch Spring Presbyterian church and was an elder for many years during 
his residence there and when he moved to Tyrone, he transferred his 
membership to the First church and was prominently identified in church 
work here.  Mr. Crawford was a lifelong friend of the late Edward B. 
Isett, whose funeral he attended two days ago.
  Mr. Crawford was married in 1855 to Miss Elizabeth Stoner, who died 
in 1879.  He was married the second time a few years later, to Miss 
Sarah Lauder, who passed away in September, 1904.  Of the eight 
children born to the first union, six survive, viz: Mrs. Frank H. 
Hagerty, of Arch Spring; Miss Vene Crawford and Mrs. W. F. Minary, at 
home; Mrs. Charles Keller, of Wilkinsburg; Mrs. E. B. Raymond, of 
Dixon, Ill.; James S. Crawford, esq., of Pittsburg.  Two sisters 
survive: Mrs. Ellen Dysart of Dixon, Ill., and Mrs. W. H. Morrow, of 
Bellwood.  Mr. Crawford was for more than fifty years a member of the 
Masonic fraternity and was a charter member of Tyrone lodge 494, F. & 
A.M.
  Funeral services will be held at the late home at 1:30 o'clock Monday 
afternoon in charge of Rev. H. W. Bieber, pastor of the First 
Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. Walter Harnish, pastor of the 
Arch Spring church.  Interment at Arch Spring.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday Morning, November 25, 1916