Robert Andrew Crawford

As printed in 1909

ROBEET ANDREW CRAWFORD.

Robert Andrew Crawford, whose constantly expanding powers and spirit of dauntless enterprise have led him into the field of industrial activity, where his labors are constituting a feature in the general progress of Coshocton, as well as a source of individual profit, is well known as the secretary and treasurer of the Hunt-Crawford Company, manufacturers of cornigated paper, packing and supplies. He was born.January 25, 1872, in Mill Creek township, Coshocton county, and his early boyhood was spent on a farm. His father, Andrew Crawford, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, born in 1810. He came to America with his parents and other members of the family in 1820 and settled in Crawford township, Coshocton county, Ohio. Later he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the tanning trade, and subsequently he operated a tannery in Crawford township, Coshocton county. Later, however, he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and thus continued throughout the remainder of his active business career. In 1835 he was married to Miss Margaret Irwin, and unto them were born three sons and a daughter: William Henry, John Thomas. Guy Irwin and Sarah. Having lost his first wife. Mr. Crawford wedded Mary Ann Ramsey on the 16th of July, 1867. They became parents of two sons, Oliver Ramsey and Robert Andrew. The mother was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1825, and died at Keene, Ohio, January 10, 1902, having for more than nine years survived her husband who passed away at Keene August 29, 1892.

Robert A. Crawford spent his early life on the home farm near Keene and was graduated from the Keene township high school in 1891 and from the preparatory department of Wooster University in 1893. He then entered upon the collegiate classical course but was obliged to discontinue his studies in his senior year because of ill health. His first step after he left school in 1897 was to become a partner in the firm of Crawford & Whittemore, doing a general mercantile business in Keene, Ohio. He remained in that connection for two years and from 1899 until 1901 was engaged in the newspaper business, while through the succeeding two years he was a representative of the dry-goods trade in Coshocton. Thinking to find more profitable fields in manufacturing line. and.seeing opportunity for the establishment of a good business, Mr. Crawford, in 1903, a.assisted in the organization of the Hunt-Crawford Company, manufacturers of corrugated paper, packing and supplies. They built a plant in Coshocton, equipped it with the latest improved machinery known to the trade and have since conducted a growing and prosperous undertaking. From the beginning, Mr. Crawford has been secretary and treasurer of the company and has contributed to its successful conduct by his administrative direction and sound judgment.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

On the 20tii nf I.i,il„.r. I'.tOO, in Coshocton, Mr. Crawford was married to 3Iiss Anni(/ Isalu'llc Stdver, a daughter of LeRoy S. and Sarah (Irvine) Stover and a granddaughter of James Irvine, who was a captain in the JNIexican war and organized the first military company from Coshocton under the three months' call, going to the front again with the rank of captain, while later he became major of cavalry. One child, Robert Irvine, was born unto Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, on the loth of December, 1901, but died November 19, 1903. Mr. Crawford is interested in all that pertains to the city's welfare and upbuilding and to its material, intellectual, social and moral progress. His influence can be counted upon to further movements for the public good and Coshocton county is proud to number him among her native sons, for he is today classed with her progressive citizens.

As printed in Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.