John F. Crawford, the junior member of the firm of Bass & Crawford, of Greenwood, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, February 23, 1856, the son of Robert and Margaret E. (Carter) Crawford, of Pleasant Township. He was reared on the old homestead, and received a common school education. Later on he attended Franklin College one term, and still later he was a student in the Central Normal College, of Danville, Ind. On leaving school at Danville he attended a normal school a short time at Franklin. In July, 1881, he accepted a position as salesman in the mercantile establishment of the late Grafton Johnson, of Greenwood. He clerked for Mr. Johnson from August 1, 1881, to March 22, 1885. He succeeded in saving sufficient means to engage in business for himself, and two days after retiring from the employ of Mr. Johnson, he became the partner of Mr. W. H. Bass, of Greenwood, in mercantile pursuits. Their business has proved to be successful, and they are now among the leading business men of that place. He was married October 4, 1886, to Maggie Smith. She was born in Pleasant Township, August 27, 1861, and was the daughter of J. W. and Adaline (Ballinger) Smith. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, Jerre R., born July 2, 1887. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, the former is a republican.