Senator Phineas W. Crawford View All Years

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Compiled Historical Information

Date of Death: 12/9/1910

Birth Place: Putney, Vermont

Party Affiliation: Republican

Assemblies Served:
Senate: 29 (1902) - 31 (1906)

Home County: Dubuque

Family Members Who Served in the Iowa Legislature: Uncle: Theophilus Crawford; GAs 1 - 3, 7, 13, 16

Phineas W. Crawford

Dubuque County

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee appointed to present suitable resolutions on the life, character, and public services of the Honorable P. W. Crawford, respectfully report as follows:

Phineas W. Crawford was born at Putney, Windham County, Vermont, September 21, 1830. He came with his father, James Crawford, in 1838, to Iowa, where he resided continuously until his death, December 9, 1910, (except when absent attending school and during the Civil War).

After graduating at Jacksonville College, he was admitted to the Dubuque Bar in 1851—being a practicing attorney in this state nearly sixty years.

In May, 1861, he enlisted and was commissioned second lieutenant Company 2, Third Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During his service he was in the battles of Florida, at Blue Mills, Shiloh, and Cornith, and engaged at the capture of Jackson, Miss., and at the siege of Vicksburg. He was mustered out March, 1866.

The chairman of your committee who occupied offices adjoining and communicating with those of the late senator for many years, remembers many of the exceedingly interesting incidents of the war, related by him during our leasure moments.

While a member of the minority party, in the city of Dubuque, he held the office of Recorder for four years and alderman ten years. In 1901 he was elected State Senator, which position he filled with the same ability and fidelity that characterized all his official and private acts.

Col. Crawford was one of the sturdy Iowa pioneers who laid the foundation of our material prosperity and shaped our civic regulations. Personally one of the most agreeable and loyal friends, candid and outspoken in his ideas, he always respected the different views of others. A close and analytical student of history he was liberal and tolerant in meeting existing conditions. In public and private life he was guided by the Golden Rule.

The close of his honorable and useful career of over eighty years as son, husband, father, citizen, soldier, and public official, adds another to the long and ever growing number of Iowa’s departed sterling characters.

Resolved, That these sentiments be entered upon the Senate Journal and an engrossed copy, duly authenticated, be sent to the bereaved family of the deceased.

N. J. SCHRUP,

A. V. PROUDFOOT,

J. D. BROWN,

Committee.

The resolutions were adopted unanimously by a rising vote.

Senate District 35