It’s Saturday Night again –Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!
Here is your assignment if you choose to play along (cue the Mission Impossible music): 1) What was your best “genealogy find” this week (or this month, or this year)? Was it a new ancestor, a new record, a new conclusion drawn, a new photograph, or something else?
Who would think that this week’s question would be so difficult. However, when one’s blog posts tend to share these finds on a regular basis, this becomes more difficult. Below are four of my recent posts that could easily have been written in response to this week’s question:
So instead of writing about a ‘genealogy find’, I’m going to write about a family time.
Each October, my brothers, their families and I spend a weekend at Lake Milford. Our weekend is filled with great food, walks and time around the fire. Thanks to the extra warm weather and a new swimming pool that was still open at Acorns Resorts, swimming, or dipping toes in the pool was added to our list of activities this year.
However, our most memorable activity was probably playing twenty questions around the fire and being stumped by a 4 year old and a 10 year old. The topic for the evening was ‘animals’. One would think that the younger crowd would stick to popular animals such as lions, tigers and bears. However thanks to the program, Wild Kratts, which they must religiously watch, a wide range of animals were selected to see if we adults could figure them out. Terms like carnivore, herbivore and omnivore didn’t cause these youngsters to pause and ask for definitions. Fortunately, one of the moms was participating. When the rest of us were stumped as to what to ask next, she usually was able to ask a question and identify the animal.
While reservations have been made for next year, we adults have also been assigned the task of watching Wild Kratts or improving our knowledge of the animal world.
As you look at your family pictures have you ever thought about who was missing from those photos? While working on a blog post about my great-grandparents, I added one of the only pictures I have of myself with a great grandparent.
Me, my grandmother Winnie Crawford and my great-grandmother, Josie Crawford
This picture is one of several taken during Christmas of 1953. While thinking about this picture, I remembered that I had pictures of myself and my mom or my dad from that same Christmas.
Me and my mom
1953 Christmas morning, me and my dad
In thinking about these pictures, I realized that this was the perfect opportunity for a four generation picture: me, my dad, my granddad and my great-grandmother. However, none of the pictures from this Christmas included my grandfather.
Thus, I started wondering why. My grandfather worked for the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad. Since the trains don’t stop for Christmas, he easily may have been working.
Unfortunately, there isn’t anyone living whom I can ask about whether my grandfather worked on holidays. His absence from these photos is the only clue that his job may have taken him away from family gatherings.
What about you? Do you have times when family members are missing from photos? If possible, take the time to ask other family members about these pictures and those missing from the photos. It may just open a door to additional family history.
Esther Stella Crawford1 was born on 6 Feb 1905 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.2–8
She was the child of Judson Foster Crawford and Josie Winifred Hammond.2
She lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1905.9 Esther Crawford was listed in the household of J. F. Crawford as “Baby Crawford”, a three month old female.
Esther lived at 2nd Ward in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 28 Apr 1910.10 Esther Crawford was listed on the 1910 census as the daughter of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Esther was 5 years old and born in Kansas.
She lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1915.11 Ester Crawford was listed in the household of J. F. Crawford as a 9 year old female.
She lived at Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 12 Jan 1920.12 Esther Crawford was listed on the 1920 census as the daughter of Judson F. Crawford. According to the census, Esther was 14 years old and born in Kansas.
In 1921, Esther was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.13
In 1922, she was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.14
In 1923, she was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.15
In 1924, Esther was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.16
She lived at 504 Ave G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1925.17 Ester Crawford was listed on the 1925 Kansas census in the household of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Ester was 20 years old and born in Kansas.
In 1927, she was educated at Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States.18
Esther accepted a position of operating nurse on 28 Jan 1929 in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States.19
She lived in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States on 8 Apr 1930.20 Esther Crawford was listed as a 25 year old roomer in the household of Mary Knode. According to the census, Esther was working as a nurse in the hospital.
On 30 Dec 1936, she lived in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, United States where she worked at Southern Methodist Hospital.21–22
Esther enlisted in the U.S. Army on 1 Dec 1943.23–24
She served as a between 1943 and 1945 .8,25–29 Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps
She was discharged from the U.S. Army on 23 Dec 1945.23–24
Esther lived at 808 Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1953.30
She lived at 808 Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1954.31
She lived at 808 Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1956.32
Esther lived at 808 Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1957.33
She lived in Taos, Taos, New Mexico, United States in 1971.34
She lived 1914 Central Ave Apt 405 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States about 1980.35–36
Esther died on 7 Jul 1987 at the age of 82 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.4,7–8,37–38
She was buried on 9 Jul 1987 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.6–8,39
ENDNOTES:
1. Josie Hammond Crawford entry, 2 Aug 1950 Last Will and Testament, ; , . Hereinafter cited as Last Will and Testament Josie Crawford.
2. Crawford, Judson F., Judson F. Crawford Family Bible (n.p.: , n.d.); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS, photocopy in Crawford.Washington.Notebook
3. “Judson Foster Crawford”, Gladys Crawford, compiler, The Crawford Family (n.p., Gladys Crawford, n.d.), (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.047)
4. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010,” database, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017), Estehr Noll.
5. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 7 December 2015), Esther Noll, 717-14-2160, before 1951.
6. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online August 2017), memorial for Esther Stella Crawford Noll (1905-1987), Find a Grave Memorial no. #110359985, created by Marcia Philbrick, citing Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas; accompanying photograph by Bob Lawrence, Esther Stella Crawford Noll.
7. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Funeral ‘In Memory’ Esther S. Noll. saved by Marcia Philbrick from funeral.
8. Obituary of Mrs. Carl F. Nolll, Dodge City Daily Globe (Dodge City, Kansas), , July 1987, page 2, (Crawford.Judson.Notebook).
9. 1905 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, Kansas State Census, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 42 Image 83 of 178, household 291, J F Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
10. 1910 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kanass, ED 45, Sheet 3B Image 6 of 30, household 16, Crawford JF; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T624
11. 1915 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 2 Image 73 of 279, household 9, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
12. 1920 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 53, Sheet 7B Image 14 of 22, dwelling 161, Crawford Judson F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T625
13. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Dodge City High School, 1921; digital images, (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017).
14. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Dodge City High School, 1922; .
15. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Esther Crawford, 1923; .
16. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Esther Crawford, 1924; .
17. 1925 Kansas Census, Ford County Kansas, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 14 Image 182 of 202, dwelling 3, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017)
18. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Kansas State Teachers College, 1927; .
19. Dodge City Daily Globe, 28 Jan 1929, Page 3, (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.048).
20. 1930 U.S. Census, Tarrant County, Texas, population schedule, Ft. Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, enumeration district (ED) ED 220-11, Sheet 21, line 13, Esther Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 12 September 2021).
21. Letter from Eugene, Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
22. Tucson City Directory 1936 (Tucson, AZ: Arizona DirectoryCo., 1936), page 197, Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017).
23. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010,” database Esther Noll.
24. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Army of the United States, Esther S. Crawford Separation Qualification Record. Image shared by Esther Benesch, niece of Esther Crawford.
25. Military Identification, Esther S. Crawford, 2nd Lt; Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. War Department, the Adjutant General’s Office. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
26. Leave Record, Crawford, Esther N-789748; Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
27. Immunization Register, Crawford, Esther S. N789748; Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
28. Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service, Esther S. Crawford N 789 748; Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. dated 31 Dec 1945. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
29. Army of the United States Certificate of Service, Esther S. Crawford N 789 748 1st Lieutenant 185th General Hospital; Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, Kansas, 2016. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford.
30. Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, Esther Noll, 1953; database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online 12 September 2021). Original Source: Kansas State Board of Agriculture.
31. Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, Ester Noll, 1954; .
32. Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, Esther Noll, 1956; .
33. Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, Esther Noll, 1957; .
34. “Horton,” El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas), 3 November 1971, page 19; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online October 2019).
35. “Voter Registration Lists, Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records, and Other Household Database Listings”, database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online 7 December 2015), Esther S. Noll; citing “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2 (N.p.:n.p.n.d.).”
36. Voter Registration Lists Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records and other Household Database Listings, “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2,” index, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2017), Esther S Noll.
37. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index”, database, Ancestry.com, Esther Noll, 717-14-2160, 1951.
39. BillionGraves, digital images of tombstone, BillionGraves (billiongraves.com : viewed online July 2017), memorial for Esther S Noll (1905-1987), BillionGraves created by mcphilbrick, citing Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas; accompanying photograph by mcphilbrick, Esther S. Noll.
Hugh Judson Crawford was born on 16 Sep 1902 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.1–8
He was the child of Josie Winifred Hammond and Judson Foster Crawford.1,3
He lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1905.9 Hugh Crawford was shown on the 1905 Kansas census in the household of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Hugh was 2 years old.
Hugh lived at 2nd Ward in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 28 Apr 1910.10 Hugh was shown on the 1910 census as the son of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Hugh was 7 years old and born in Kansas.
He lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1915.11 Hughie Crawford was listed as a 12 year old male in the household of J. F. Crawford on the 1915 Kansas census living in Dodge City, Kansas.
He lived on Avenue G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1920.12 Hugh J Crawford was shown on the 1920 census as the son of Judson F Crawford. According to the census, Hugh was 17 years old and born in Kansas.
In 1921, Hugh was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.13 According to the 1921 Dodge City High School Yearbook, Hugh was in Y.M.C.A. “The Private Sec’y” ’21.
He lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1921.13
In 1922, he was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.14 According to the 1922 Dodge City High School yearbook, Hugh was in interclass Basket Ball ’19, ’21, ’22; Track ’21, ’22; Boys Glee Club ’21, ’22; “Private Secretary”; and Dodger Staff ’21, ’22.
Hugh lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1922.14
He lived at 504 Ave G in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1925.15 Hugh Crawford was listed on the 1925 Kansas census in the household of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Hugh was 22 years old and born in Kansas.
In 1927, he was educated at Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States.16
Hugh lived in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States in 1927.16
He married Gladys Josephine Vanderwilt on 8 Dec 1929 in Solomon, Dickinson, Kansas, United States.1–2,7,17–19
He lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 3 Apr 1930.20 Hugh (ab) Crawford was listed as the son of Judson F. Crawford on the 1930 census. According to the census, he was 27 years old and born in Kansas.
In Apr 1930, he applied for the bachelor of science degree to be issued in May at Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States.21
In 1930, Hugh was a selected to teach physics and manual arts at Pawnee Rock High School in Pawnee Rock, Barton, Kansas, United States.22
On 9 Dec 1933, Georgiann Crawford was born in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, United States.23
He lived in Pinal, Arizona, United States in 1935.24
He lived at 1521 N. Santa Rita in Tucson, Pima, Arizona, United States in 1936.25
Hugh lived in Pinal, Arizona, United States on 9 Apr 1940.24 Hugh Crawford was listed on the 1940 census as the head of household. According to the census, Hugh was 37 years old and born in Kansas. Also living in the household were his wife, Gladys, and a daughter, Georgiann.
He lived in Picacho, Pinal, Arizona, United States in 1942.6
He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves on 15 Feb 1943 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, United States.8,26
Hugh went for six weeks of basic training at Camp Perry in Williamsburg (city), Virginia, United States.26
He went for six weeks of advanced training at Quonset Point Naval Station in Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States.26
He served in the military as a Carpenter’s Mate First Class in the Construction Battalion (Sea Bees).26
Hugh arrived at Attu in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska aboard the Carl S. Schurez in Aug 1943.26
He was stationed on Shemya Island as part of a maintenance crew for the Naval Air Station where they built an air strip.26
In May 1944, he left Shemya Island returning to Attu and then going on to San Francisco.26
In Sep 1944, Hugh left San Francisco and went to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands as part of a base maintenance crew. While stationed at Dutch Harbor, the unit was split with one detail going to Cold Bay, Alaska to train Russians.26
His unit went to Kamchtka Peninsula in Siberia..26 While on Kamchatka, the crew took 2 groups of Russian observers to see American amphibious operations, combat tactics and amphibious landings. The detail observed landings at Leyte and Lynganian Gulf in the Philippines. The trip lasted about one month. The men went by air, then joined the ships in the task force and went by boat. One of those ships was the Enterprise aircraft carrier. The crew flew off of the Enterprise to return to Kamchatka.
He was released from active duty on 30 Jul 1945 at Camp Elliot in California, United States.26 After discharge, Hugh was given a class 1A rating in the U.S. Naval Reserves for ten years.
In 1952 Hugh and his family moved to Alaska to take a teaching job.27
In 1957, he was a member of the Alaska Education Association in Alaska, United States.28
In 1957 he was a teacher in Wainwright, North Slope, Alaska, United States.28
In 1963 Hugh taught on the Navajo reservation in Arizona.27
He lived in Flagstaff, Coconino, Arizona, United States in 1971.29
About 1983, he was awarded the designation of Knight of the York Cross of Honour, an honorary degree which is the highest in the York Rite of Free Masonry in Arizona, United States.30
Hugh died on 7 Aug 1987 at the age of 84 in Casa Grande, Pinal, Arizona, United States.5,7–8,31–33
He was buried on 12 Aug 1987 at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler, Maricopa, Arizona, United States.7–8,33–34
ENDNOTES:
1. Crawford, Judson F., Judson F. Crawford Family Bible (n.p.: , n.d.); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS, photocopy in Crawford.Washington.Notebook
2. “Judson Foster Crawford”, Gladys Crawford, compiler, The Crawford Family (n.p., Gladys Crawford, n.d.), (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.047)
3. Kansas, State Board of Health, Birth Certificate 00,003077 (16 September 1902), Hughie Judson Crawford; Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.
4. “U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017), Hugh Judd Crawford.
5. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 27 August 2021), Hugh Crawford, 526-24-7520, before 1951.
7. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : online 8 December 2015), memorial for Hugh I. Crawford (1927-1989), Find a Grave Memorial no. 152317126, created by HJS, citing Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery, Chancler, Maricopa, Arozona; accompanying photograph by HJS, .
8. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 27 August 2021), memorial for Hugh Judd Crawford (1902-1987), Find a Grave Memorial no. #180984314,
9. 1905 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, Kansas State Census, , Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 42 Image 83 of 178, household 291, J F Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
10. 1910 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kanass, ED 45, Sheet 3B Image 6 of 30, household 16, Crawford JF; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T624
11. 1915 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 2 Image 73 of 279, household 9, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
12. 1920 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 53, Sheet 7B Image 14 of 22, dwelling 161, Crawford Judson F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T625
13. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Hugh Crawford, 1921; digital images, (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017).
14. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Hugh Crawford, 1922; .
15. 1925 Kansas Census, Ford County Kansas, , Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 14 Image 182 of 202, dwelling 3, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017)
16. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Hugh Judd Crawford, 1927; .
18. Kansas, Central Division of Vital Statistics, Marriage License 57216 (7 December 1929), Hugh Crawford and Gladys Vanderwilt; State of Kansas, Topeka, KS.
19. “Marriage Is Announced,” The Bulletin (Emporia, Kansas), 13 December 1929, page 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 28 August 2021).
20. 1930 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 5, Sheet 16B Image 32 of 42, dwelling 365, Crawford Judson F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA T626
21. “Over 90 Students Apply for Degrees,” The Bulletin (Emporia, Kansas), 8 April 1930, page 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 28 August 2021).
22. “Fourteen Elected to Teach,” The Bulletin (Emporia, Kansas), 25 April 1930, page 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 28 August 2021).
23. Social Security Administration, “Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007,” database on-line, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ : viewed online September 2017), Georgiann Capps.
24. 1940 U.S. Census, Pinal County, Arizona, population schedule, Pinal County, Arizona, enumeration district (ED) ED 11-19, Sheet 3B (image 6 of 54), houshoeld 54, Hugh Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA T627.
25. Tucson City Directory 1936 (Tucson, AZ: Arizona DirectoryCo., 1936), page 197, Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017).
26. Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Military service history of Hugh Judson Crawford compiled by his wife, GladysCrawford. copy received by Marcia Philbrick from daughter of Hugh and Gladys Crawford August 2021.
27. Mary Loman, “Alaska,” facebook message to Marcia Philbrick, August 2021.
28. “65 Teachers in Fairbanks for Alaska Education Assn. Meet,” Fairbanks Daily News (Fairbanks, Alaska), 16 October 1957, page 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 28 August 2021).
29. “Horton,” El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas), 3 November 1971, page 19; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online October 2019).
30. “Crawford Receives Freemason Honor,” undated clipping, about 1983, from unidentified newspaper; Crawford Family Papers, saved by Winnie Crawford and passed down to Marcia Philbrick; privately held 2021 by Marcia Crawford Philbrick, [address for private use], Seneca, KS 66538.
31. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index”, database, Ancestry.com, Hugh Scrawford, 526-24-7520, 1951.
32. “Judson Foster Crawford”, Gladys Crawford, compiler, The Crawford Family (n.p., Gladys Crawford, n.d.), date handwritten on copy as 7 Sept 1987 (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.047)
33. “Hugh Crawford,” Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), 10 August 1987, page 15; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online October 2019).
34. BillionGraves, digital images of tombstone, BillionGraves (billiongraves.com : viewed online September 2017), memorial for Hugh Judd Crawford (1902-1987), BillionGraves created by kvheagleproject, citing Valley of the Sun Memorial Park, Chandler, Maricopa, Arizona; accompanying photograph by Alan, Hugh Judd Crawford.
Helen Marjorie Crawford was born on 30 Apr 1900 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.1–8
She was the child of Judson Foster Crawford and Josie Winifred Hammond.1,7
She lived at 4th Ave in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in Jul 1900.9 Helen Crawford was listed on the 1900 census as the daughter of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Helen was 8 months old and born in Kansas.
Helen lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1905.10 Helen Crawford was listed on the 1905 Kansas census in the household of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Helen was 5 years old.
She lived at 2nd Ward in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 28 Apr 1910.11 Helen Crawford was listed on the 1910 census as the daughter of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Helen was 14 years old and born in Kansas.
She lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1915.12 Hellen Crawford was listed as a 14 year old female in the household of J. F. Crawford living in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas on the 1905 Kansas census.
In 1916, Helen was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.13 Helen Crawford was listed on the Freshman Class roll at Dodge City High School in 1916.
She married Russell C. Horton on 16 Jul 1919 in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.1,6,14–17
She lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 7 Jan 1920.18–19 Helen Horton was listed on the 1920 census as the wife of Russel C. Horton. According to the census, Helen was 19 years old and born in Kansas.
On 13 Oct 1920, Russell Clifton Horton Jr. was born in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.20–21
On 11 Jan 1923, Marjorie Louise Horton was born in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.22
She lived at 107 Poplar in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1925.23 Helen Horton is listed on the 1925 Kansas census in the household of Russell Horton. According to the census, Helen was 24 years old and born in Kansas.
On 1 Jul 1926, Elaine Marilyn Horton was born in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States.24
Helen lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 3 Apr 1930.25 Helen M Horton is listed on the 1930 census as the wife of Russel C Horton. According to the census, Helen was 29 years old and born in Kansas. The census indicates that Helen was married at the age of 19.
She lived in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States in 1935.26
She lived at 615 10th Street in Dodge City, Ford, Kansas, United States on 9 Apr 1940.26 Helen Horton is listed on the 1940 census as the wife of Russel Horton. According to the census, Helen was 39 years old and born in Kansas.
Helen lived in San Angelo, Tom Green, Texas, United States in 1946.27 Helen Horton is listed in the 1946 San Angelo Texas directory as the wife of Russell C Horton. The couple was residing at 117E Avenue I at the time.
She lived in Gila Bend, Maricopa, Arizona, United States in 1958.28
She lived in El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States in 1971.29
Helen died on 1 Nov 1971 at the age of 71 in El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States.3–4,6,8,29–35
She was buried on 5 Nov 1971 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States.3,8,34–39
ENDNOTES:
1. Crawford, Judson F., Judson F. Crawford Family Bible (n.p.: , n.d.); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS, photocopy in Crawford.Washington.Notebook
2. Kansas, State Board of Health, Birth Certificate no. 00 003076 (30 April 1900), Helen Crawford; Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.
3. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online August 2016), memorial for Helen Marjorie Crawford Horton (1900-1971), Find a Grave Memorial no. #805928, created by imported from U.S. Veteran’s Affairs, citing Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, El Paso County, Texas; accompanying photograph by Charles Bowman, Helen Marjorie Crawford Horton.
4. Ancestry.com, Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013), Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982.
5. “Local News,” The Dodge City Globe (Dodge City, Kansas), 3 May 1900, page 8; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 13 August 2021).
6. “Judson Foster Crawford”, Gladys Crawford, compiler, The Crawford Family (n.p., Gladys Crawford, n.d.), (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.047)
7. Local News, Dodge City Reporter, Dodge City, Kansas, 4 May 1900, page 5, (Doc. #: Crawford.KS.135).
8. National Cemetery Administration, “U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca. 1775-2006,”Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (August 2017), Helen Marjorie Horton; National Cemetery Administration.
9. 1900 U.S.Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 49, Sheet 18A Image 35 of 42, household 383, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA T623
10. 1905 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, Kansas State Census, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 42 Image 83 of 178, household 291, J F Crawford; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
11. 1910 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kanass, ED 45, Sheet 3B Image 6 of 30, household 16, Crawford JF; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T624
12. 1915 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 2 Image 73 of 279, household 9, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society
13. 1916 Sou’Wester: Dodge City High School (Dodge City: n.p., 1916),p. 39 and 41. digital image, U.S., Schoo Yearbooks, 1900-1999Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com viewed online 22 August 2021.
14. Ford County Kansas Marriage Records: Book E p. 329 (Doc. #: CRAWFORD.KS.003A), Ford County Clerk, Dodge City, Kansas
15. Ex-Soldier Weds Dodge City Girl, Dodge City Daily Globe (Dodge City, Kansas), , 17 Jul 1919, page 1 col. 3.
16. Kansas, Central Division of Vital Statistics, Marriage Certificate #31929 (16 July 1919), Russel C. Horton and Helen Crawford; State of Kansas, Topeka, KS.
17. , Kansas, Central Division of Vital Statistics; State of Kansas, Topeka, KS. (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), Marriage Certificate; #31929; 16 July 1919; Russel C. Horton and Helen Crawford.
18. 1920 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 53, sheet 1A (image 1 of 22) Image 1 of 22, household 12, Horton Russel C; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication T625
19. “Injury Fatal to M. R. Crawford,” The Dodge City Kansas Journal (Dodge City, Kansas), 29 July 1920, page 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 8 August 2021).
20. Social Security Administration, “Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007,” database on-line, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ : viewed online December 2016), Russel Clifton Horton Jr.
21. “Recent Births,” The Dodge City Journal (Dodge City, Kansas), 4 November 1920, page 1; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 22 August 2021).
22. Dodge City Daily Globe, 15 Jan 1923, page 3.
23. 1925 Kansas Census, Ford County Kansas, Dodge City, page 24 Image 27 of 202, dwelling 7, Russell Horton; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online March 2016)
25. 1930 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 8, sheet 2B (image 4 of 36) Image 4 of 36, household 37 (on 2 pages), Horton Helen; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online June 2017); NARA T626
26. 1940 U. S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 29-11, sheet 5B Image 9 and 10 of 30, household 111 (on 2 pages), Horton Helen; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017)
27. Worley’s San Angelo (Tom Green County, Tex.) City Directory 1946 (Dallas, Texas: John F. Worley Directory Co.,, 1946), p. 205, Russel C. Horton; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2016).
28. “Horton,” Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), 30 January 1958, page 51; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online December 2019).
29. Texas, Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-2000, Helen Marjorie HOrton, 4 February 1972; database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online August 2016).
30. Dodge City Daily Globe, 8 Nov 1971, page 2 col 2, Monday, Nov. 8, 1971, page 2 column 2 (Doc. #: CRAWFORD.KS.137).
32. Ancestry.com, Web: El Paso County, Texas, Death Index, 1956-2010 (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011), El Paso County Texas Clerk; El Paso, Texas; Death Records.
35. “Horton,” El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas), 3 November 1971, page 19; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online October 2019).
36. , “Fort Bliss National Cemetery,” database, Interment.net (www.interment.net : viewed online March 2017), Helen Horton.
37. , “U.S. Veterans Burial Sites, 1775-2013,” database, MyHeritage (www.myheritage.com : viewed online March 2017), Helen Marjorie Horton.
When researching your family, have you ever encountered a newspaper article that lead to an event the family likely wanted to forget? I would think that being a director of a bank that failed might fall into that ‘want to forget’ category. But, that is where my research in the Dodge City papers has led.
In February of 1886, the Merchants State Bank was formed and J. H. Crawford was one of the directors.
The Merchants’ State Bank
The Merchants State Bank is a new banking institution of Dodge City, and is composed of some of our most influential and wealthy citizens. Geo. B. Cox is President, F. C. Zimemrmann, Vice-President; James Langton, Treasurer, and the following directors: Goe S. Emerson, W. C. Shinn, O. Marsh, W. G. Sherlock, T. L. McCarty and J. H. Crawford. The office of the bank for the present will be located in the postoffice block. As soon as one of the new building is completed ample room will be obtained. This bank will be one of the best in the country, and will meet with confidence and support.
Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas) 25 Feb 1886
Dodge City Times (Dodge City, Kansas) 25 Feb 1886
In 1887, the Dodge City Times was singing the praises of the bank as one of the “most prosperous institutions in the west.” (Dodge City Times 4 Aug 1887) However, by March of 1891, The Dodge City Daily Globe reported the bank had failed.
Gone Under
The Merchants’ State Bank Ceases Operations Friday at Noon
A Full and Complete List of Assets and Liabilities – C. W. Averill Appointed Assignee
Notwithstanding the many rumors concerning the shaky condition of the Merchants’ State Bank it was a matter of great surprise when the doors were locked Friday last. Deposits to the amount of several thousand dollars had been recently withdrawn by parties who knew of the insufficient security that had been taken by the bank upon loses made during the last 18 months. This with the stringent times and depreciated real estate values made it impossible to much longer hold out, and upon the presentation of a check for nearly $4,000 they refused to pay it, for lack of funds. A number of attachments immediately followed. The first being in favor of H. M. Beverley.
The bank was the repository for many school districts, as well as the county and city resources.
The real estate assets of the institution are heavily encumbered and their cash value is difficult to estimate. Although the county may sustain some loss, it will not affect the price of county scrip as there is much more money on deposit in the First National Bank than the total amount of scrip outstanding. Also the amount deposited in the defunct bank was the sinking fund, and should it not all be recovered the loss will be lightly felt by the county.
The complicated affairs of the bank will require some time for a full examination and much litigation will undoubtedly result. A majority of the creditors seem willing to give the bank officials ample time to make settlement. Some, however, seem to think that at least criminal carelessness ahs been shown in the management of the bank and it is not improbable that some prosecutions will follow. A. E. Grier, representing the Rollins Investment Company, of Denver was in the city Monday to investigate the company’s business, they having $4,00 in Ford county scrip which had been forwarded to Merchants State Bank for collection. The county’s check had been given for the amount of the scrip, there being a large amount to the county’s credit, but the check was not accepted by the bank. In some way the scrip has fallen into the possession of the county treasurer and the Rollins Investment Company will bring suit to recover the scrip or its cash value. They have retained Sutton & McGarry to protect their interests.
Shortly after the first attachment issued the county attorney asked that a receiver be appointed, and L. G. Grobety was made receiver. Soon after the receiver had qualified and demanded possession an assignment was made to C. W. Averill. The commissioners and county attorney are awake to the interests of the county, but with the several attachments in the hands of the sheriff, the assignee and receiver each attempting to obtain possession, the assets will be used up in the payment of fees.
The liabilities, with names of creditors, are given below:
Liabilities
H. M. Beverley, Dodge City, treas. $3,495.00 H. B. Bell 11.22 Thos. Brainbridge 100.00 Mrs Brainbridge 3.00 J. R. Bricker 20.00 S. H. Connoway 78.32 Geo B. Cox Co. Treas $20,765.47 Geo B. Cox mortg ac’t 1.00 Geo B. Cox seed com 139.72 Geo B. Cox Flax com 16.67 Geo B. Cox fair ass’n 1.55 J. H. Crawford 12.98 F. W. Coxon 9.92 A. L. Crawford 10.90 J. H. Churchill .35 D. H> Connoway 562.00 G. Davis 138.75 J. M. Doble 9.40 S.W. Furgison 10.00 W.J. Fitzgerald 2.14 Albert Fasig 52.43 P.R. Hobble 144.07 A. Hanna tres dist 16 118.13 E. A. Hickerson Lodge ac’t 176.05 C. L. Kearful 100.00 W.T. Keady 1.20 E. Kirkpatrick .02 Geo. Gray 5.30 Geo H. Karch .78 Thos. Lahey 125.54 L. E. McGarry 165.67 Otto Mueller 2.35 E. W. Marvin 181.42 McCarty & Hoover 34.78 T. L. McCarty 100.06 D. W. Moffit 20.25 W. F. Petillion .17 J. E. Rarden schl tres 100.00 J. H. Ripple .01 J. S. Rush 3.00 A. W. Reudy .01 John Riney schl tres 434.07 T. L. Smith .98 C. E. Smiley schl tres 229.36 Strange & Summersby 45.37 L.K. Soper 19.80 Sam Stubbs 9.11 H. L. Sitler 3.56 E. E. Smith 12.58 Joseph Sizelove schl Tres 118.61 E. T. Thome 12.03 Samuel Wollman 10.56 B.W. Williams .69 G. H. Wilcoxson schl tres 63.25 D. T. Weagly 464.83 Jas. Youngblood .25 Zimmerman hd. Co 12.05 D. H Drake .36 E L. M. Hoare .66 Adam Schmidt 98.30 O. Elswick 800.00 J.F. Dean 50.00 J. M. Kilburn 50.00 J. Beyers 90.00 John Reed 50.00 A. Miller 500.00 J. Collar 1.00 S. S. Griggs 7.00
Dodge City Globe (Dodge City, Kansas) 4 Mar 1891
Then in September of 1891, The Dodge City Daily Globe carried a story describing the cause of the bank failure.
The Recorded Facts
How the Taxes Were Absorbed by the Cox Dynasty
Through the courtesy of the receiver of the Merchant’s State Bank the Globe-Republican scribe has been permitted to make a thorough examination of that defunct institution, and the memoranda therein made by Mr. Cox himself and his employes, most emphatically verify the very worst that has been even suspected by the writer. Space will not permit us this week to give the data in detail, but we have the dates and items carefully preserved for future reference. We will this week briefly summerise the situation, giving fuller details later on in the campaign.
In November, 1887, Geo. B. Cox was elected county treasurer for the first time, over C. N. Van Vilet, who was deputy treasurer under R. M. Wright. In October, 1888, Mr. Wright turned over to Mr. Cox, his successor, every dollar of public funds entrusted to his care as such treasurer, with the books in perfect order. Otto Mueller was installed as deputy by the new treasurer, and has remained in personal supervision of the office until recently, in communication by letter between himself and Mr. Cox, he suggested that the latter return and take charge, while he, Otto, shall make the campaign for election this fall. This suggestion was acted upon and is now in operation.
After taking control of the office, Mr. Cox, who was president and principal stockholder of the Merchants State Bank, made an arrangement, which is permitted by the statutes of this state, whereby his bank was designated by the board of county commissioners as the depository of count funds, on a security bond filed with the county clerk and approved by the board. Mr. Cox gave as such bond his own name and that of one other stockholder and director of the bank, whose stock together with that of Mr. Cox, soon constituted a good working majority of bank shares. — After this, when Mr. Cox had occasion to use money in his private business, or desired to favor a friend or political striker, he could drop into the bank in his official capacity as county treasurer, deposit the cash collections of taxes with Geo. B. Cox, banker. Then Geo. B. Cox, the business man, could write his check or promissory note, leave it with Geo B. Cox, the banker, and take the money to use as pleased him best. The state of affairs continued till the fall of 1889, when the bank had cashed about as much paper bearing the Cox autograph as that gentleman was apparently worth. Then, by herculean effort, and the lavish expenditure of money, he was re-elected against L. Sims, the regular republican nominee. With a new lease of power, Mr. Cox now delved deeper than ever into the treasury vaults In the spring of 1890 the bank held much more paper against him than his entire visible assets could be made to sell for in cash. But as county taxes came in he continued to deposit them in the bank and borrow the money for his own use, and although hopelessly insolvent, took no less than thirteen thousand dollars in addition to what he already owed. The other stock holder who was on the bond to secure the county, was ere this hopelessly involved, notwithstanding which fact he must be provided for, as he had worked tooth and nail for the election of Mr. Cox. Hence he was permitted to take eight thousand dollars of good money. These two hauls left the bank utterly unable to meet the demands of the county, city and school district depositors, and the bond on file with the county clerk having become worthless by the insolvency of the sureties, (who in reality constituted the principal on whose behalf the security was given,) the taxpayers of Ford county have nothing to show for about thirty thousand dollars paid into the treasury as municipal taxes, except the possibility of a slender dividend which the closing out of odds and ends of the collapsed institution may realize. All this money will have to be collected over again in addition to that needed for future current expenses of the county. Old Ford is one of the best counties in the state and by prudent administration of her affairs hereafter, will soon recuperate her wasted resources, but woe be unto us if we again renew the power of the vampire which has to greedily absorbed our revenues in the past.
The Dodge City Globe (Dodge City, Kansas) 2 Sep 1891
The September 10, 1891 issue of the Dodge City Globe contains a letter from Geo. B. Cox outlining where the money went. Later papers have several notices for the sale of property owned by Geo. B. Cox and his wife, Amy. Even though the papers covered the scandal and hinted at criminal charges, a search of the papers thru 1892 did not uncover a criminal trial.
Thus, the Merchants State Bank where J. H. Crawford served as a director in 1886 was a failure five years later.
