Source: Unknown - Date Unknown

Crawford, Walter

Walter Crawford, has for many years been a resident and a noteworthy on of Milford. HE is now filling the office of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, and is a dealer in drugs and medicines, books and stationery under the firm name Johnston & Crawford in the drug business and W. & M. Crawford in the book business. He also deals in ice, the firm name being Crawford and Hubbell. Judge Alfred Crawford, the father of our subject, was born four miles north of Boston, parish of Firthwell, Lincolnshire, England, in 1815. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Robinson) Crawford, who were engaged in farming in that shire. The great-grandfather of our subject came from north of England, from the Scottish borders and is undoubtedly of Scotch decent. Judge Crawford was reared and educated in England and in 1834 when he was twenty years old he came to America, making his first stop in Buffalo. He worked for Col. Preutz in Canada until the spring of 1835 and then came to MIlford, this county. He worked for others for awhile and then entered land upon which he located. He proceeded to improve it and owned about three hundred and twenty acres upon which he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was one of the first to bring thoroughbred cattle and sheep into Milford Township. He was a man who was accommodating to his neighbors, who often resorted to him for legal advice, as he was a great reader and richly endowed with information. He was one of the most influential men of the county and was loved and respected by all. The father of our subject filled the office of Supervisor for thirteen years and during the awt he was Deputy Provost-Marshal. In 1865 he placed his farm in the hands of a tennant and made his home in the village of Milford. In the fall of 1868 he was elected Probate Judge, being placed- there by the Republican vote. In order to attend to the duties of his office he removed to Pontiac at the beginning of 1869 and took his seat as Judge, which he occupied until his death, Nov 12, 1872. His remains lie at rest in Milford. He was a staunch Republican in his politics and an earnest edherent of that party. The mother of our subject was Phoebe Clark, who was born in Sutherland County, N. Y., Jan 4, 1817. Her father, Joshua, a New Yorker by birth, was an early settler in Milford, where he was engaged in farm ing until his death. He represented the old Eastern family which boasted of blue blood. His widow still resides in Milford with her children and is a devoted adherent of the Presbyterian Church. Walter Crawford was born in Milford, Oct 24, 1843, being the fourth in a family of ten children. He was reared on the farm and had excellent educational advantages in the village of Milford, going through the regular course and teh High School. Before reaching his ajority his young spirit was so fired with patriotic zeal as to cause hi to enlist Aug 18, 1861, in the First United States Lancers, Company B. They were mustered in at Detroit and served until they were mustered out in the same city in March, 1862. Thi boy, then only about eighteen years old, reenlisted in Aug 1862, as a private in Company H, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, the regiment being brigaded by Col, Alger under Gen. Custer. He was in all the battles, raids and skirmishes of the brigade till the close of the war, the engagements in which he took part numbering fifty-two. At Trevilian Station our young hero as taken prisoner, but escaped by running, and then took a horse and fled, while bullets grazed his body. He received the commision of Second-Lieutenant, and various engagements led his company, at different times having three horses shot from under him. At the close of the war his regiment was sent to Leavenworth, Kan., where it was mustered out, their honorable discharge being granted at Detroit. Returning to Mildord, Lieut. Crawford then opened a store with stock of groceries and after a few years took his brother Clark as his partner the firm name being Crawford & Bro. The new firm enlarged the business, adding merchandise and clothing, but in 1870 they sold out their stock and dissolved partnership, our subject became Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, to which he has added the work of an insurance agent in which he still continues. In 1878 this gentleman bought a stock of books and stationary and in 1881 engaged in the drug business with Dr. R. Johnston. He owns a farm within the corporation which he anticipates subdividing and plotting as an addition. He is engaged somewhat in buying and selling real-estate and owns a handsome residence and grounds. With his partner, Mr. hubbell, he is engaged in packing and wholesaling ice. Lieut. Crawford was married in Mildford in 1871, to Miss Julia A, Seaver, a daughter of William P. Seaver, of New York, an early settler of Livingston County, but now living in Highland. Mrs. Crawford was before her marriage was a teacher and is a native of Livingston county. She has two children: Merrill W. and Dana H. Mr. Crawford is the oldest Justice of the Peace in this vicinity, having filled the office and that of Notary Public for twenty years, and having been Supervisor since 1876. He has been Commander of the GRand Army Post at Milford with which he is identified. He is a true Republican and is a frequent delegate to county and State conventions. The Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association counts him as one of its prominent members.