Judson Foster Crawford – Josie Winifred Hammond

Judson Foster Crawford was born in April 1866 in Warren County, Indiana. He was the second child born to Washington Marion and Mary (Foster) Crawford. Judson’s father had only been home from the war for a year when Judson was born.

At the age of 14, Judson was living with his parents in Warren County, Indiana. Family tradition says that as a young adult, Judson

• was a cook’s helper on a cattle drive
• worked on a ranch
• worked in a grocery store

Even though these stories are hard to prove, they could all be true. Judson’s uncle, James H. Crawford migrated from Indiana to the Dodge City area where he owned both a ranch and a grocery store. Thus, Judson could have worked for his uncle on the ranch or in town at the store. The 1885 Kansas census indicates that Judson did work in a store since his occupation is listed as clerk.

At the age of 23, Judson went to work for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad in Dodge City.

A little over a year later, he married Josie Winifred Hammond on Christmas Eve in 1890 in Dodge City. Josie was born in Knox County, Illinois in 1874, the daughter of Richmond Fisk and Sarah (Ralston) Hammond. By 1880, the Hammond family was living in Hardin County, Iowa. By 1887, Richmond purchased land in Ford county and moved his family to the Dodge City area.

Judson and Josie welcomed their first child, Bernice Crawford,  in 1892. Having been transferred to Newton, Kansas, their first son, Leon Russel Crawford, was born in 1894. The following year, they were living back in Dodge City when Marion Richmond Crawford was born.

Family stories indicate that the family moved to Oklahoma to live near Josie’s sister. These stories indicate that life was not easy in Oklahoma and that the children almost died. Other than records involving Josie’s sister, Stella Root, the 1900 census is the only source that might support this family tale. The 1900 census indicates that Judson was working as a carpenter — and NOT for the railroad. By 1905, Judson is again working for the railroad.

The family was living in Dodge City in 1900 when a daughter, Helen Marjorie Crawford, joined the family. The youngest son, Hugh Judson Crawford, joined the family in 1902. The youngest daughters, Esther Stella and Lois Elida Crawford were born in 1905 and 1909 in Dodge City.

By 1915, Judson was identified as the night yard master for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. In 1919, he was a member of the AT&SF Joint General Committee. Judson continued working as a switchman for the Santa Fe railroad and retired in 1936.

Judson was active in the community. As a young man, Judson was a member of the fire department and served as the assistant secretary in 1891. At the age of 54, Judson was a school board member for the Dodge City Schools.

Judson and Josie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1940.

Judson passed away at the age of 82 in Dodge City. He was buried in the family plot in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.

 

 

 

My Military Heroes

In honor of Veterans’ Day this Friday, I would like to honor my ancestor Veterans.

While still in high school, my father, Eugene David Crawford, enlisted in the US. Navy and attended training at the Naval Training Center (EE & RW) in Gulfport, Mississippi and at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Ill. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Oneida (APA-221) from May 1946 to July 1946. The U.S.S. Oneida was part of Operation Magic Carpet to bring troops home from the Pacific Theater. Eugene received an honorable discharge from the service in August 1946.

Eugene’s father, Leon Russel Crawford, began his military service on 26 Apr 1917 in Dodge City, Kansas and was appointed wagoner 2nd class gunner in the 25th A. A. Battery 1st A.A. Sector. Leon’s unit was at the St. Misner 2nd Battle of the Marne from 31 Mar 1918 to 31 May 1918 in France. Later in 1918, his unit was assigned to the outer defense of Paris. On 28 Mar 1919, Leon received an honorable discharge from the service and returned to Dodge City.

None of my great-grandfathers served in the military. However, most of my great-great grandfathers and one great-great-great grandfather served during the War Between the States.

• Washington Marion Crawford — Sergt in Co. H of the 2nd Regiment New York Calvary Volunteer — better known as the “Harris Light Horse”. Washington Marion was captured on 22 Sep 1863 in Liberty Mills, Virginia and imprisoned at Andersonville and Belle Isle.
• Richmond Fisk Hammond – began his military service as a private in Company E 17th Illinois Volunteers later joining the 1st Illinois Cavalry Volunteers and Company D in the 14th Regiment Illinois Cavalry. Richmond was captured near Atlanta and taken as a prisoner to Andersonville on 5 Aug 1864.
• Hiram M. Currey — served in Company B of the 12th Cavalry Regiment of the Kansas State Militia under Captain Samuel Hollister
• Albert Hutchinson — served as a private in Company D of the 1st Regiment of the Iowa Cavalry Volunteers commanded by Captain Jinks and re-enlisted as a private in Iowa First Calvary Company D
• Noah Washington Briles — served as a private in Company I, 1st Regiment Iowa Volunteers
• Alexander Briles (Noah’s father) — served under Captain John Douglas in Company I of the Kansas State Militia
• James Marshall Ricketts — served in Company K of the 7th Indiana Cavalry
• George Mentzer — served in Company C of the Twenty-Foruth Massachusetts Infantry

According to my great-grandmother’s (Josie Hammond Crawford) DAR application, her ancestor, Jason Hammond, served as a private in Captain Coon’s Company of Col. J. Well’s Regiment in the Connecticut line. There is some question as to whether this military record is for my ancestor or another Jason Hammond. Thus, my DAR membership is thru his father, Nathaniel Hammond, for giving service to the cause.

Since almost all of my ancestors were in the colonies prior to the revolutionary war, it is likely that many of them served during the revolutionary war. It is even possible that at least one line traces back to loyalists.

It is thru this type of military service that our country was built. May we all pause to honor our military this week.

Where’s My Irish?

Today is March 17th – St. Patrick’s day. In honor of the day, I was curious about whether I have Irish ancestry. Since my research hasn’t taken me beyond the borders of North America, I really don’t have any Irish lines identified. According to my Ancestry DNA results, my ethnicity % for Ireland is 3%.

screenshot from Ancestry.com

Out of curiosity, I decided to do some simple research on my family names using Ancestry’s tool to discover the meaning of a surname. Below are the surnames from my 5 generation pedigree with their probable origins. (chart printed with Family Tree Maker 2014)

Crawford — Scottish, English and Northern IRISH

Foster — English

Hammond – English

Ralston – Scottish

Currey — Scottish or IRISH

Burke — IRISH, English, Norway,or German

Hutchinson – Northern English

Harding – English

Briles – German

Thompson – English

Ricketts – English

Christy – Scottish / Northern IRISH

Mentzer – German

Minnick – IRISH

Wells – English

Crandall – Scottish

According to Forebears, my Crawford line originated in Scotland: “Local. First assumed by the proprietor of the lands and barony of Crawford, in Lanarkshire, Scotland.”

Even though my Ancestry DNA ethnicity is only 3% IRISH, five of the lines from my 5 generation pedigree could be IRISH. Interestingly, I also have 5 Scottish lines but Scottish isn’t listed as an ethnicity.

A little searching of Ancestry forums revealed why my report doesn’t include my Scottish origins:

So, I’ll find some GREEN to wear today and celebrate my IRISH origins!

Influenced by Revival Meeting

Thirty-Seven Years of Weekly Scripture Reading, Study

Is Notable Record of Eastside Bible Class Members

Dodge City Daily Globe

Saturday, March 13, 1954 page 7

By Ethel Watkins

With a motto reading with simplicity, “Whosoever Will,” the Eastside Bible class, begun as an aftermath of an evangelistic meeting held here by Rev. James Raybourn of Newton in 1917, is still functioning to the gratification of its members. Each Friday without a break since that long ago year, the membership has met in one another’s homes (in the beginning only resident living in the east section of Dodge City, but now scattered over all sections) to read the Bible aloud to each other and discuss the scriptures so read.

Membership has had an active turnover during the 37 years, and includes close to200 women who have answered roll call at one period or another, with an average roll call of fifteen, three of whom are of the original group of 20 women who first organized the non-denominational Bible-reading class. The three are Mrs. Judd Crawford, Mrs. Fred Simmons and Mrs. E. W. Dagenhart.

The group, in addition to seeking and finding a better understanding of the Bible; enjoying the fellowship of each other and taking pride in the fact their knowledge of Bible verses help them in their other interests, have a philanthropic program. Through moneys acquired by free-will offerings, they have contributed to a wide range of worthy charities. Their list of contributions include such items as boxes to Mecalero Indians in New Mexico, baby clothing to Belgium, a linen shower for Trinity Hospital, donation to chapel at Norton tuberculosis sanatorium, kitchen shower for the Star Ranch in Colorado Springs, donation to Louisiana’s Hanson disease hospital, a radio to the blind in Excelsior Springs, contributions to the Old Fashioned Revival radio hour in long Beach, Christmas toys and quilt scraps to Ozark mission and contributions to the local school shoe fund. Each year they give to the local cancer and polio funds and to the Gideon Bibles-for-Youth fund. In addition the Class helps its neighborhood bereaved families and those who have illness.

Organized on February 2, (Ground Hog Day!) 1917 in the home of Mrs. Abe Walker (whose mother, Mrs. E. W. Dagenahrt is still a member), the class for the first 20 years had Mrs. Harriet Milton for a teachers. Since she moved away, the women have had no one teacher, and not for many years a president. The women stay together and study through mutual interest, rather than a formal organization.

When they started, the class read the Bible verse by verse straight through, both Old and New Testaments, and throughout the years have repeated that performance two more times. When “skipping around” for special study, the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, along with Acts are perennial favorites. The Revelations too, are read often. Hymns are sometimes sung at the meetings, often the group singing a verse or two of each member’s favorite. With the closing of their meetings with the Mispah, for 37 years now it has been “ … until next Friday then!”

Photo Captions:

Upper left photo: Mrs. Fred Simmons, a charger member, has rarely missed a weekly meeting of the Eastside Bible class in its 37 years of existence. She is pictured here (right) in her home on Military avenue, where this year’s birthday observance was held, with Mrs. Judd Crawford (center). She is also a faithful through-the-years charter member; and Mrs. Roy Wells (standing), who though not a charter member, is a sister of Rev. James Raybourn of Newton. His influence gave the impetus to the organizing of the group in 1917. Mrs. E. W. Dagenhart (not pictured) is another charger member who is still a member.

Lower left photo: During the 37 years there have been close to 200 women who have belonged to the class. Four of the present day members pictured in Mrs. Simmons home are Mrs. A. E. Combs, Mrs. Frank Evans, Mrs. Elizabeth Richardson and Mrs. George Behl.

Bottom Center: Cutting the 37^th birthday cake is Mrs. M. C. Woodall in the home of Mrs. Simmons. Pictured with her are members Mrs. Beatrice Stout, Mrs. Della Glidewell and Miss Lucille Kennedy

Upper right: And unto the fifth generation. The late Mrs. N. J. Conaway was a charter member of the Bible read in class and following her footsteps attending the weekly sessions are her granddaughter Mrs. Nelson Johnson; her daughter Mrs. C. W. Woolwine; her great granddaughter, Mrs. Elmer Nuss, and showing interest in grandmother’s Bible is her great great granddaughter little Miss Leila KatharineNuss, pictured in Mrs. Simmons home.