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In 1860 the family was living at Harlan Courthouse, Harlan County, Kentucky. John and his brother Andrew joined Company B, 49th Regiment of Kentucky Infantry (Union) at Camp Nelson, Kentucky on September 19, 1863; he joined as a Corporal. In October 1864 he was reduced to Private by a Regimental Courts Martial for unauthorized absence. He was discharged from the regiment on December 26, 1864. From October 1863 until January 1864 the regiment remained at Somerset, KY. They moved to Camp Burnside, KY in January 64 and remained there until August. The unit was at Lexington in August and then moved to Camp Nelson until October. The regiment was ordered to TN October 1st and performed railroad guard duty near Murfreesboro and between Wartrace and Mill Creek, TN until November. The unit returned to Lexington, KY where they were mustered out on December 26, 1864. The regiment lost during service one enlisted man killed and one officer and 74 enlisted men died from disease, for a total casualty count of 76 men. After the war he returned home and in 1868 married Lizzie J. Crawford. They resided in Bell County, Kentucky from their marriage until sometime after 1880. Of this union they had eight children: Louise, Fred L., Dorah, Ollie (daughter), Conie E., Minnie, John M. and Albert L. In 1900 John and Lizzie had moved to Victoria County, Texas with two of their sons, John and Albert. It is unknown where the family was living when John died on February 23, 1908, but it is presumed to be either Jackson County or Matagorda County. He is buried at the Palacios Cemetery, Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas. It is also unknown when his wife Lizzie died or where she is buried. Their son Fred L. Crawford was residing in Palacios when he died in 1923 and is buried in the Palacios Cemetery. * Middle name obtained from Fred L. Crawford’s death certificate.
No obituary could be located for Mr.
Crawford.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth L. Thames |
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My name is Emma Tennessee Shelton Crawford. My
father, George Wesley Shelton was born in 1814. He came to Texas as
a volunteer with David Crockett and was actively involved in the
Texas War of Independence. He received a grant of land in the
Corsicana area after the war. I was born and raised there and
married John Wesley Crawford in 1879. We moved to Palacios in 1912
with our six children. Although I am proud of all my children, let
me tell you about my son Carlton Wesley Crawford. He graduated from
Palacios High School in 1916. Went into the Navy during WWI and
served on the USS Harrisburg. When he returned home, he
attended University of Texas and studied business. In 1921 he
opened a business preserving figs. The business expanded to canned
vegetables, Uncle Ollie’s chili and tamales, and finally shrimp.
The Crawford Packing Company shipped canned shrimp to all areas of
the United States. Carlton was a good man and was always ready to
help those who needed assistance. During WWII, he was one of the
first to convert to frozen seafoods because of the shortage of cans.
He was active in the National Fisheries Institute, the Shrimp
Association of the Americas, and the Shrimp Canner’s Association.
He was a
member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, served on the
Palacios School Board, Director of the U. S. O. Council and served as
a state representative from this district for two terms. He was also
one of the organizers of MOPS (Men of Palacios) a loosely organized
group of men who were concerned with the future of Palacios. I died
in 1938 and missed a lot of my son’s career. But a proud Mother none
the less. Palacios
Cemetery Tour |
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Marker photo courtesy of Renee Huff J. W. Crawford passed away at his home in this city early Monday morning, following a lingering illness. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church conducted by Dr. T. F. Driskill, a life long friend of the deceased and who is to prepare an obituary which will be published next week. Mrs. W. O. Beal, of Petrolia; Mrs. T. W. Swafford, of Peoria, daughters; J. N. Crawford, of Houston and R. S. Crawford, of Houston and S. R. Crawford, of San Antonio, sons, and Mrs. Wilcox, Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Bertie Chambers, of Houston, nieces, were here for the funeral services. Palacios Beacon, April 24, 1930 Obituary of J. W. Crawford By Dr. T. F. Driskill The many friends of J. W. Crawford for quite awhile, realized that the end was near at hand, yet, death always brings a certain shock to the loved ones and the friends of the deceased. It has been the writer's pleasure to know Brother Crawford for many years, even before he, (the writer) was married. Our first acquaintance came through the Y. M. C. A. and the S. S. Work, for his zeal knew no bounds in these lines. At that time our religious activities brought us in close relationship and sympathy. Then a few years elapsed and it was my privilege to locate in Corsicana, when I became the family dentist for all the years that he remained in that city. On locating in Corsicana we found no organized Christian Church, and for six months or more, because of such friends as Brother and Sister Crawford and others that formerly knew, it was our pleasure to attend the Presbyterian Church with the understanding that at the proper time we would likely have an organization. Then when I opened an independent Mission for Sunday work, Brother Crawford and his good pastor gave us every encouragement. He was a fine singer, and always co-operated in our protracted meeting as well as in other churches of the city the same as if it were his own congregation. He took great interest in our city schools, and he was always up to date in civic matters. As a business man, he ran a large and a successful department store. After several years elapsed he disposed of his business and accepted a traveling salesmanship for the Texas Novelty Advertising Company of Hillsboro, Texas, L. J. Thompson, president, also editor of the Hillsboro Evening Mirror. On first coming to Texas, Mr. Thompson located in Corsicana and edited a paper there. Like Brother Crawford he was active in S. S. and church work and he became so interested in Brother Crawford that when he gave up his Corsicana business, Mr. Thompson lost no time in trying to interest his friend in the Hillsboro enterprise for he felt that a man like Mr. Crawford would be a real asset in his new undertaking. I will here quote from Editor Thompson in the Hillsboro Evening Mirror on April 21. He says of Brother Crawford:--"He was a good salesman, and by his talent as such, helped very materially in establishing the reputation of his house for fair dealing and prompt filling of orders. He worked hard during the week and wherever the Sunday overtook him he put that day in Sunday School rallies looking forward to the next district or State Convention. He seldom stayed over Sunday in a town without getting all the young people of the various churches of the place in a Sunday School Rally." After about fifteen years service for that company, he resigned and located in Palacios, where he and his family have made many, many friends. He never lost interest in the church and the Sunday School work, but was faithful to the end. Brother Crawford's life furnishes us a fine example of what all Christians might do, whether at home or abroad. He was a missionary and a real evangelist when on the road. He did not wait to be found and invited to some church, but he worked up the S. S. and the church and threw his whole soul into the work. If all our visitors to Palacios were imbued with the same spirit it would be a wonderful place. The fine tribute in attendance of our business men, and I may say, of the whole city, at the funeral service showed the estimate our citizens placed upon J. W. Crawford after fifteen years sojourning with us. Yes, every business house in the city closed during the funeral hour. A devoted husband and a kind father has laid down all his tasks of this life, but the loving wife and the faithful sons and daughters accept with grace and confidence the promises of Him who died, but lives for ever and ever more. The following notes will further emphasize the foregoing:-- J. W. Crawford was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, March 2, 1858, but has lived in Texas the greater part of his life. He was married to Miss Emma Shelton in Corsicana, April 20, 1879. To this union were born seven children: Mrs. Charlsie M. Crawford, of Dallas, who passed on to her reward April 28, 1929; Marion Samuel, who died in infancy; Mrs. Belma Beall, of Petrolia; Mrs. Beulah Swofford, of Hillsboro, Texas; J. Norris Crawford, of Waxahachie; Raymond S. Crawford, of San Antonio; and Carlton W. Crawford, of Palacios. Seventeen grand-children and one great grand child have blessed their lives. Brother and sister Crawford moved to Palacios in 1912 and have become much attached to their home here. Brother Crawford has been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years and has been an ardent worker in the Sunday School, at one time being State organizer of Sunday Schools and has helped establish numerous Sunday Schools over the State. Brother Crawford passed to his Home above April 21st, 1930, at 1:45 a. m. Brother and Sister Crawford have been members of the Presbyterian Church since 1883. Palacios Beacon, May 1, 1930 Funeral services were held this Thursday morning from the Presbyterian Church, for Mrs. J. W. Crawford, who died at her home in this city Wednesday morning. Rev. C. E. Metcalfe was the officiating minister and interment was made in the Palacios Cemetery. Palacios Beacon, August 25, 1938 Mrs. J. W. Crawford Mrs. Emma S. Crawford, wife of the late J. W. Crawford, died at her home in this city, Aug. 24, 1938 at 6 a. m. following an illness of some duration. Emma Tennessee Shelton, a native Texan, was born February 14, 1861, at Corsicana. She was married to J. W. Crawford and in 1912 the family moved to Palacios. This city continued to be their home and they were active in making it a more desirable place to live. They were vitally interested in the building of our schools and Churches, and especially the Presbyterian Church of which both were devout members. Mrs. Crawford was a devoted wife and mother and her home was often the gathering place of friends, both young and old. She was an active member of her Church as long as health permitted. Ever ready to do her part she served in Sunday School and all the other services. Kind and thoughtful of neighbor and friend as well as members of her family her presence will be sadly missed. Mrs. Crawford is survived by two sons, Carlton Crawford, of this city; J. N. Crawford, of Harlingen, and one daughter, Mrs. W. O. Beall of Austin and several grand children to whom we extend our deepest sympathy. On Thursday morning, August 25, at 10 o'clock an impressive service was held for the departed in the Presbyterian Church, Rev. C. E. Metcalfe, officiating, with Prof. J. D. Park is charge of the music. Interment was made in the Palacios cemetery under the direction of the Brandon-Duffy Funeral Home with Messrs. Ernest Wehmeyer, Charles Luther, T. A. Elder, Arnold Burton, H. C. Lewis and Howard Campbell as pallbearers. The large crowd of sorrowing friends who attended these last sad rites and the many beautiful floral offerings attested the love and esteem held for Mrs. Crawford by all who had ever known her.
Palacios Beacon, September
1, 1938 |
John
James Crawford was born in February 1839 to John and Cassandra Baker
Crawford at Knox County, Kentucky. He was the first born of six
children. His siblings were: Andrew Hamilton, Mary, Nancy J., Sarah
Minerva and Charity S.
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John Wesley (1853-1930) and Emma Tennessee Shelton (1861-1938) Crawford, had six children, Charlsie, Velna, Beulah, Norris, Raymond, and Carlton. Emma Tennessee Shelton's father, George Wesley Shelton (1814-1882), came to Texas as a volunteer with David Crockett, and was actively involved in the Texas War of Independence. He received a grant of land in the Corsicana area after the war. Carlton Wesley Crawford was born January 22, 1898, in Corsicana, Texas .
The family moved to Palacios in 1912 where Carlton was graduated from Palacios High School in 1916. During World War I, he enlisted in the Navy and served for two and a half years on the USS Harrisburg as mail clerk. As such, he was one of a few who would buy souvenirs and sell them to his shipmates, and was able to return home with money. He was a member of John Phillip Sousa's band stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station and traveled extensively with the band playing first cornet.
Preserving figs was the beginning of his business career. Beginning in 1921, his canning business included products such as figs, vegetables, Uncle Ollie's chili and tamales, and finally shrimp . The Crawford Packing Company canned shrimp which were shipped to all areas of the United States.
Carlton was supportive of his employees, and hosted an annual picnic at his Live Oak Farm, sponsored a football team called the Crawford Blue Jackets, and was always ready to help those who needed assistance. He also published an inspirational booklet called Driftwood.
He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder, and was a member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Palacios School Board. He was a director of the U. S. O. Council, and served as a state representative from this district for two terms. He was also one of the organizers of the MOPS (Men of Palacios) a loosely organized group of men who were concerned with the future of Palacios.When Carlton was 19, he was determined that 14 year old, Mary Louise Pybus would someday become his wife, and although each had several other romances in the interim, on January 22, 1927, they were united in marriage at the Presbyterian Church. Except for two years in Galveston, the couple lived their entire married life in Palacios, rearing four children: Mary Carlton , January 9, 1928; John Lacy "Buddy," December 17, 1932; Jack Wesley, August 28, 1938; and Norris Raymond, March 14, 1942. The esteem with which the town held Carlton was evident during his funeral. All the downtown businesses closed to honor his memory.Mary Louise Pybus was born in Bay City, Texas, on September 14 , 1902, to John Lacy and Martha Eleanor "Mattie" Pybus, and was the granddaughter of J. E. and Sarah Jane Lacy Pybus, whose father William Demetrius Lacy was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836.When she was only a few months old, Louise moved with her parents to Palacios where she was the only child in town for a number of months. She was graduated from Palacios High School in 1920, and then continued her musical studies at Salem College, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She completed her studies in Chicago. She spent several years teaching music at Runge and Bishop, Texas.Louise was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was vital to all the activities there . She not only played the piano and organ for forty years, but sang in the choir and taught every age group in Sunday School at one time or another. During World War II, every Sunday night their kitchen was filled with the young people's group from the church, which included some soldiers from Camp Hulen.
Louise was the first woman officer of the Presbyterian Church and the first woman to be selected as "Woman of the Year" by the Palacios Alpha Club.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, 1984, pages 111 - 112
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Death the morning of September 24 took the life of one of Palacios’ most outstanding citizens and civic leaders, Carlton Wesley Crawford. The community was shocked at the passing of a man who had been prominent in business, politics and church for nearly half a century. Mr. Crawford was a native of Corsicana born January 22, 1898, but moved to Palacios with his parents, the late J. W. and Emma L. Shelton Crawford in 1912. Mr. Crawford left his impact upon Palacios in many fields. In business he operated Crawford Packing Company. Politically he served as state representative in 1946-47. He also served as a school trustee. He was a past president of the Palacios Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He has served as the one and only President of the Texas Mid-Coast Water Development Association since it was organized in 1954, was a director and served on the advisory committee of the Intra-Coastal Canal Association, was a member of the Interstate Fisheries committee and a former president of the Shrimp Association of the Americas. He was a veteran of World War I and for many years was active in Boy Scout activities. He was a leader in the First Presbyterian Church and at the time of his death was Ruling Elder, and a member of the Christian Education committee. He had served as deacon and Sunday School superintendent. Funeral services were held in the First Presbyterian Church Wednesday, September 25, at 3 p. m. with the Rev. Richard E. Stone officiating. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery. His survivors include, his wife, Mrs. Louise Crawford; one daughter, Mrs. Mary Carlton Simpson of Clarksville; three sons, John of Palacios, Jack of Port Lavaca and Norris of Houston; one sister, Mrs. Bula Swofford of Fort Worth and one brother, R. S. Crawford of San Antonio.
Palacios Beacon, September 26, 1963 |
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Funeral services for Mary Louise Crawford, 82, of Clarksville, Texas, will be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, Palacios, with the Rev. Doug Blanton officiating. Burial will be in Palacios Cemetery. Mrs. Crawford was born Sept. 14, 1902, in Palacios and died at 8 a. m. Dec. 9, 1984, at Red River General Hospital, Clarksville. She is a retired music teacher. Survivors include two sons, Norris and Jack Crawford of Houston; a daughter, Mary Simpson of Clarksville; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Family will be at the residence of Kathy Fiorini, 302 Welsh Ave., Palacios. Arrangements are with Jolley’s Funeral Home, Clarksville.
Daily Tribune, December 10?, 1984 |
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Funeral services for John Lacy “Buddy” Crawford were held at 2 p. m. Thursday, June 22, in the Palacios Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Leslie E. Webb officiating. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery. Son of Mary Louise Pybus Crawford and the late Carlton Wesley Crawford, he was born December 17, 1932 in Bay City. A resident to Palacios for 30 years, he was a graduate for 30 years, he was a graduate of Palacios High School and the University of Texas and had served as personnel manager at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for 10 years. He passed away Tuesday, June 20, in the VA Hospital in Houston. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Carlton Crawford of Palacios, two daughters Lacy and Caryn Crawford; one son, Scott Crawford, all of Galveston; one sister, Mary Carlton Simpson of Clarksville and two brothers, Jack Crawford of Rome, Italy and Norris Crawford of Houston.
Palacios Beacon, June 29, 1978 |
After
returning to civilian life, he attended The University of Texas
where he studied business and was a member of the Acacia Fraternity.
