In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1828, Clay county
From History of Ray County, Mo. (1881)
JOHN CROWLEY.
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
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in History of Ray County, Mo. (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.