Person:Eugene Crawford (1)

E. C. Crawford, the representative of the Southern Pacific railroad, at Oakdale, and one of the substantial citizens of that energetic town, is a native of New York State, born at Kasoag, Oswego county, December 31, 1854, his parents being Joseph Warren and Mary (Towsley) Crawford, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of New York State.

    In 1859 his father came to California and became engaged in the mountains of Calaveras county, near the Big Trees, in making shakes.  He was joined by his family in 1863, they making the journey from their Eastern home via the Panama route.  In 1865, the senior Mr. Crawford engaged in mining in Calaveras county, near Angel's Camp, Vallicita and at other places, and was so occupied until 1868.  He then commenced farming in the same county, and continued that vocation in the vicinity of Knight's Ferry, whither he removed in 1870.  In 1872 he moved to Milton, later to Tuttletown, near Sonora, and from there finally to San Jose, Santa Clara county, where he now resides.
    E. C. Crawford, whose name heads this article, was reared from boyhood in California.  He is self-educated, his schooling having been limited.  He had the will, if not the opportunity, and managed to well make up for the lack of advantages.  His first experience in railroad work was at Milton, in 1872, where he was first engaged in handling freight.  Being anxious to learn, he soon picked up a good idea of telegraphy, and became sufficiently proficient to handle the keys in a creditable manner, so that within a year and a half of his railroad employment he was appointed agent at Peters.  In 1875 he was assigned to the terminal office as acting agent under A. Campbell, agent, and on December 19 1877, he was promoted to the general charge of the office.  On June 1, 1885, he resigned his position as agent and accepted a position as superintendent of Stanislaus Warehouse Company's warehouses, which he held for four years, when he accepted his old position as agent for the Southern Pacific Company.  Oakdale is by far the most important point between the termini of the road, and Mr. Crawford ably administers the affairs of the office.
    He has been twice married, first, October 14, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Board, a native of California, who died August 7, 1875.  His present wife, to whom he was united in marriage February 18, 1877, was formerly Miss Maggie Chalmer, a native of Sonora, Tuolumne county, California, and a daughter of H. G. Chalmer, one of the pioneers of the State.  They are the parents of two children George and Frank.
    Mr. Crawford has passed the chairs of Oakdale Lodge, No. 228, I. O. O. F., also in Ridgely Encampment, No. 68, of which he was a charter member; was a charter member of Canton Manchester, No. 8, Patriarchs Militant; has passed the chairs of Ruth (Rebekah degree) Lodge, Oakdale; and was one of the original members ofOak Grove Lodge, No. 198, A. O. U. W., in which he has passed the chairs, and is at present receiver of the loge.  He is an earnest advocate of temperance principles, and believes that the succes of the cause lies through the avenues of legislation.  He has, therefore, allied himself with the Prohibition party.  Mr. Crawford is a prominent and respected citizen of Oakdale, and is thoroughly identified with the town in all matters pertaining to its welfare.

Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, tuolumne and Mariposa Counties, page 282, California State Library, Sacramento, California.[Board.FBC.FBK.FTW]

E. C. Crawford, the representative of the Southern Pacific railroad, at Oakdale, and one of the substantial citizens of that energetic town, is a native of New York State, born at Kasoag, Oswego county, December 31, 1854, his parents being Joseph Warren and Mary (Towsley) Crawford, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of New York State.

    In 1859 his father came to California and became engaged in the mountains of Calaveras county, near the Big Trees, in making shakes.  He was joined by his family in 1863, they making the journey from their Eastern home via the Panama route.  In 1865, the senior Mr. Crawford engaged in mining in Calaveras county, near Angel's Camp, Vallicita and at other places, and was so occupied until 1868.  He then commenced farming in the same county, and continued that vocation in the vicinity of Knight's Ferry, whither he removed in 1870.  In 1872 he moved to Milton, later to Tuttletown, near Sonora, and from there finally to San Jose, Santa Clara county, where he now resides.
    E. C. Crawford, whose name heads this article, was reared from boyhood in California.  He is self-educated, his schooling having been limited.  He had the will, if not the opportunity, and managed to well make up for the lack of advantages.  His first experience in railroad work was at Milton, in 1872, where he was first engaged in handling freight.  Being anxious to learn, he soon picked up a good idea of telegraphy, and became sufficiently proficient to handle the keys in a creditable manner, so that within a year and a half of his railroad employment he was appointed agent at Peters.  In 1875 he was assigned to the terminal office as acting agent under A. Campbell, agent, and on December 19 1877, he was promoted to the general charge of the office.  On June 1, 1885, he resigned his position as agent and accepted a position as superintendent of Stanislaus Warehouse Company's warehouses, which he held for four years, when he accepted his old position as agent for the Southern Pacific Company.  Oakdale is by far the most important point between the termini of the road, and Mr. Crawford ably administers the affairs of the office.
    He has been twice married, first, October 14, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Board, a native of California, who died August 7, 1875.  His present wife, to whom he was united in marriage February 18, 1877, was formerly Miss Maggie Chalmer, a native of Sonora, Tuolumne county, California, and a daughter of H. G. Chalmer, one of the pioneers of the State.  They are the parents of two children George and Frank.
    Mr. Crawford has passed the chairs of Oakdale Lodge, No. 228, I. O. O. F., also in Ridgely Encampment, No. 68, of which he was a charter member; was a charter member of Canton Manchester, No. 8, Patriarchs Militant; has passed the chairs of Ruth (Rebekah degree) Lodge, Oakdale; and was one of the original members ofOak Grove Lodge, No. 198, A. O. U. W., in which he has passed the chairs, and is at present receiver of the loge.  He is an earnest advocate of temperance principles, and believes that the succes of the cause lies through the avenues of legislation.  He has, therefore, allied himself with the Prohibition party.  Mr. Crawford is a prominent and respected citizen of Oakdale, and is thoroughly identified with the town in all matters pertaining to its welfare.

Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, tuolumne and Mariposa Counties, page 282, California State Library, Sacramento, California.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Board.FBC.FBK.FTW.

   Date of Import: 14 May 2004