John M. Crawford

John M. Crawford, the son of Calvin C. and Elizabeth (Moses) Crawford, was born in Delaware County, Ohio on November 2, 1841. His early life was spent on farms in Brown County, Illinois and Waldo Township, Marion County, Ohio. After the death of his father he had the responsibility of looking after his mother and six brothers and sisters. On Sept. 15, 1861 at Marion County, Ohio he married Sarah Ann Martin, a daughter of Rev. Wilson and Dilla (Pringle) Martin. Sarah Martin was born at Morrow County, Ohio on Dec. 12, 1840. In the fall of 1863 he removed to Henry County, Ohio where John had purchased sixty acres of land in Liberty Township. The land was in the woods and was totally without improvements. After John Crawford located on the land he began clearing it and as fast as he cleared he planted. When the family came to Liberty Twp. he was soon joined by his mother Elizabeth Crawford and by his brother-in- law Dr. E.T. Martin and his father-in- law Rev. Wilson Martin and his family. John Crawford rented his farm in Henry County in 1872 and removed to Columbus Grove, Putnam County, Ohio. There he engaged in various businesses and some of these were in partnershp with his father-in-law, Wilson Martin. Among his business ventures were a drygoods store, grocery store, livery business, drug store, and hardware store. A Crawford Block was built on the main corners of Columbus Grove. In 1895 he and Wilson Martin purchased interest in the Exchange Bank of Columbus Grove, with Wilson Martin as vice-president. The Crawfords were members of the Methodist Church and were held in the highest esteem by their community. John M. Crawford died at Columbus Grove, Ohio on May 22, 1911 and his wife Sarah Crawford died on Dec. 1, 1911 at Columbus Grove. They were buried in Truro Cemetery near Columbus Grove.

The Crwafords were the parents of four children: William L.; Minnie E. (married Henry F. Light and lived at Columbus Grove); Dilla E. (married Rev. E.E. McLaughlin and lived for many years at Denver, Colorado); and Wilson Martin Crawford, a banker, who lived in his later years at Detroit, Michigan.

Submitted by: Robert Barnes