The Crowley Families of Ray County, Missouri

John Crowley was born, August 10, 1828, in Clay county, Missouri. His parents were John and Sarah (Mayo) Crowley. His father was born in the state of Alabama, February 2, 1792; died September 29, 1877. His mother was born in Tennessee, October 10, 1797; died September 10, 1851. His grandfather, James Crowley, was a soldier in the war for American independence, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Berry Crowley (great-grandfather of John) was a native of England. He was killed in a battle with the Indians, on the Ohio river, in Kentucky, at a very early day. The subject of this sketch lived in Clay county, working on his father's farm until the age of twenty-six years, when he went to California. He started on this long journey from St. Joseph, Missouri, May 4, 1853, in company with his brother, Thomas Crowley, and four hired men, to help drive their cattle, and spent about four and a half months in a tedious overland trip, arriving in California, September 16. After spending about two years in the "Golden State," Mr. Crowley took passage on a steamship, at San Francisco, February 14, 1855, for the Isthmus, crossed among the first passengers on the railroad across Panama, and sailed from Aspinwall to Cuba, and thence to New Orleans. From there he came home by river, arriving March 31, 1855. In 1856 he removed to this county, and has lived here ever since. He owns nine hundred and seventy acres of land, seven hundred acres in cultivation, well fenced, and in a fine state of productiveness. This farm is improved, with one of the handsomest and most conveniently arranged dwelling houses in that section of the county, besides barns and other buildings. Mr. Crowley is a thoroughly practical and thrifty farmer, and the excellent condition of his farm is an evidence of his good management and industry. He is largely engaged in dealing in livestock, and devotes much attention to raising the best breeds. Mr. Crowley was married, in Clinton county, Missouri, February 2, 1858, to Miss

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As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Thomas Crowley was born in the month of September, 1830, in Clay county, Missouri, and was reared there on a farm. In 1853, he went with a drove of cattle to the state of California, and remained there about two years, returning March 31, 1855. He came to this county and settled on the farm he now owns and occupies, in 1857. He owns a fine farm of five hundred and forty-two acres, five hundred acres of which are under good fence, and the greater part in cultivation. He has a comfortable, well arranged dwelling house, and a fine bearing orchard. Mr. Crowley was married in this county, in the month of October, 1857, to Miss Susan Nelson, by Rev. Hardy Holman. She is the daughter of Joshua and Henrietta Nelson, natives of Alabama, and was born in this county, December 20, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Crowley became the parents of the following named children: Fanny, born November 14, 1858; John, born May 7, 1862; Robert, January —, 1864; Kate, born January —, 1866; Mollie, born January —, 1868; Thomas P., born January 12, 1873; Susan M., born February —, 1875; Cappy, born June 25, 1877; James H., born November 9, 1880; John died October 13, 1861, and one in infancy. Mr. Crowley is a member of the M. E. Church South, and an active supporter of religion. He is a very prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, and a public spirited and influential citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

William Crowley was born in Powell Valley, Tennessee, October 31, 1816. He is the son of Isham Crowley, also a native of Tennessee. Soon after the birth of William, his father removed to the state of Alabama, where the family lived for about thirteen years, and then in 1829, removed to Clay county, Missouri. Our subject remained about eleven years in Clay county, and then going to Clinton county, lived there during eight years. In the year 1849, he came to Ray county and has continued a citizen and a farmer of this county ever since. He owns a valuable farm (section seven, township fifty-four, range twenty-nine,) of two hundred and ten acres of very fertile farming land, well fenced, and in an excellent condition of cultivation, with fine, thrifty bearing orchards, and an abundance of pure water for the numerous herds of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, with which the pastures are stocked. The farm is improved by a handsome, commodious and conveniently arranged dwelling house, a large and substantially built barn and granaries, sheds and other buildings for the protection of stock and the shelter of grain, feed, etc. Mr. Crowley is also engaged, to a considerable extent, in buying and selling live stock, and devotes particular attention to breeding and raising the best varieties. He is a thrifty, practical, experienced farmer, and the condition of his model farm bears testimony to his success, in that, his chosen branch of business. Mr. Crowley was married November 19, 1840, by Rev. John Edwards, to Miss Margaret Miller, a native of Clay county, Missouri, born May 29, 1825. The issue of this marriage was ten children, all but one of whom are living: James I., born February 7, 1843; William T., born May 5, 1845; Susan F., born March 8, 1848; John W., born January 6, 1850; Eugenia K., born April 2, 1852; David M., born August 21, 1854; George W., born April 8, 1858; Barnum M., born September 4, 1860; U. S. Grant, born August 27, 1863: A. B. Lincoln, born September 18, 1865, (died in infancy.) Mr. Crowley has served during four successive terms, of four years each, as justice of the peace in his township, and was justice of the Ray county court during a term of four years. He discharged the duties of these positions of trust and honor with the same judgment and ability with which he has so successfully managed his individual business. His conduct in public as well as in private life, has always been highly honorable and just. He and his wife, with several of the children, are members of the Christian Church. He is also a member of Grange No. 1129, P. of H.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SAMUEL J. CROWLEY.

Samuel J. Crowley was born near Kearney, Clay county, Missouri, March 24, 1843. His father, Samuel Crowley, is a native of Campbell county, Tennessee, came to Clav county and settled there in 1820. Our subject lived in Clay county until seventeen years of age, and then came to Ray county and was engaged in farming and stock-raising during ten years here, and then removed just across the line into his native county, where he now lives. He has a fine prairie farm of two hundred and forty acres, in a high state of cultivation, and handsomely improved. Mr. Crowley was married in Ray county, Missouri, February 11, 1869, to Miss Louisa A. Misener. Mrs. Crowley was born in this county, February 3, 1849. They are the parents of three children: Nancy B., born May 21, 1872; Frank P., born March 24,1876; Misener L., born December 17, 1880. Samuel Crowley, Sr., father of our subject, was born November 14, 1786, in east Tennessee, died July 1, 1849. Our subject's mother, Nancy, was born May 13, 1805, died January 28, 1875. Mr. Crowley is a leading, prosperous and highly respected farmer.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

S. N. CROWLEY.

Samuel L. Crowley was born in Ray county, Missouri, May 20, 1850. He grew upon his father's farm, which was the present site of the town of Vibbard, and has spent the greater part of his past life here, engaged for the greater time in buying and shipping live stock to market. From 1873 to 1879 he lived in Vernon county, Missouri, occupied in farming and dealing in stock. He returned to Ray county in 1879, and is now located at Vibbard, where he owns and operates a large flouring and saw mill, and his business is in a highly prosperous condition. Mr. Crowley was married in the month of June, 1869, in Vernon county, Missouri, to Miss Fannie Hughes, by Rev. W. Ditzler. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, May 27, 1851. The issue of this union has been four children: James W., born April 9, 1872; Eugene, born January 9, 1874; Robert and Frank dead. Mr. Crowley is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 384, A. F. & A. M., and his wife is a member of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Crowley is a man of great energy, industry and enterprise in business, and he has, in consequence, been more than ordinarily successful. He is respected and esteemed for his many excellent qualities as a man and a citizen, by all who knew him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES M. CROWLEY.

James M. Crowley was born in Fishing River township, Ray county, Missouri, April 26, 1857. He was educated in the district schools of this county, and when he had grown up engaged in farming, which is his present occupation. He was married at Lawson, in 1879, to Miss Bettie Whitsett, by Rev. Mr. Linn. Mrs. Crowley was born in Ray county, in the year 1858. The issue of this marriage has been one child: William, born May 26, 1880. Mr. Crowley is an enterprising, industrious and rising young farmer and a good citizen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.