Representative James Shannon Crawford View All Years

HON. JAMES S. CRAWFORD.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorating the life, character and public service of the Honorable James S. Crawford, a member of the Twenty-fourth General Assembly, respectfully submit the following:

James Shannon Crawford was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, in December, 1851. His parents were Scotch and his ancestors in Scotland were of aristocratic stock. He moved with his parents, Robert and Sarah (Shannon) Crawford, to Allamakee County, Iowa, in 1853. He grew up on the farm, was educated in the country schools, and was always deeply interested in matters agricultural. He attended Upper Iowa University and the State University, and was naturally a student.

He taught school, and while so engaged was married to Louise Morphy in Lewis, Cass County. To them one son, Archibald R., was born. He was superintendent of schools in Cass County, was a member of the State Board of Examiners, and was Representative from Cass County in the Twenty-fourth General Assembly. He engaged for a time in newspaper work on the Atlantic Telegraph and later on the Cherokee Herald. Under his direction both of these papers became powers in their respective fields.

In 1900 he was chosen a member of Ferdinand W. Peck’s staff of custodians of the United States exhibit at the Universal Exposition in Paris. He had charge of the corn kitchen and did much to educate the European people to the uses of corn as a food. In 1902-03-04 he was connected with the Department of Exploitation of the World’s Fair in St. Louis, many of his articles appearing in World’s Work, Atlantic Monthly and other leading magazines. As a writer he was very interesting and bestowed much time and thought on economic subjects, being the author of two books, “Political Socialism, Would It Fail in Success?” and “Philosophic Anarchism.”

In politics he was a Republican, while fraternally he was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow organizations. He made no profession of religion, yet he was an habitual church attendant. The early training received from his parents in the Presbyterian faith had a marked effect on his whole life, as evidenced by the sterling integrity and sincerity of purpose which characterized the man.

He died in Chicago, Illinois, on March 2, 1913, after a short illness, at the age of 61 years. The body was brought to his home at Cherokee, Iowa, where it was laid to rest with suitable services by the fraternal organizations with which he had been identified.

He leaves a widow, Mrs. Louise Crawford, of Cherokee, and Archibald R. Crawford of Ames, Iowa.

Whereas, The life, character and service of the deceased was such as to entitle him to the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens; therefore be it

Resolved, That in the death of this former member of the House there has been lost one whose labors and influence were beneficial to the state; that his family is bereft of a loving husband and a kind father; that we mourn with them in their loss, and extend our sympathy in their hour of sorrow; and further

Resolved, That in appreciation of the useful and well spent life of Hon. James S. Crawford these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that an engrossed copy thereof be sent to the widow and son.

J. D. PETERSON,

W. P. DAWSON,

JULUIS ROHWER,

Committee.

Adopted April 3, 1913.