Colonel James William Crawford
Colonel James Williams Crawford was born in Franklin County, in the State of Pennsylvania, December 2, 1788. His father's ancestors came from the Highlands of Scotland to the north of Ireland at an early date. His mother was of Welsh descent. The ancestors of both families immigrated to America before the war of the Revolution and in America they were known as "The Scotch Irish." These people took a very active part in the struggles for American independence.
In the year 1810 the subject of this sketch came to Delaware County, Ohio, bringing with him his young wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth (Van Lear) Crawford. He purchased a tract of wild land on the west bank of the Olentangy River in Liberty Township, where they built a log cabin and began cutting down the timber in order to make a home in the wilderness. At the beginning of the War of 1812, Mr. Crawford put aside his axe and plow and took up his musket in defense of his country's cause. He was chosen a lieutenant of his company and served until the close of the war. Just before the close of the war, he was chosen colonel of his regiment, from which he derived his title of colonel.
At the close of the war, Mr. Crawford returned to his home in Liberty Township and began, with his neighbors, the task of felling the forests, cutting down the thickets and preparing the highway for future generations. To Mr. Crawford and Elizabeth, his wife, were born five children.
In the year 1818, he sold his farm in Liberty Township and bought a farm on the west bank of the Scioto River in what is now known as Thompson Township, on the old Military Road which led from Franklinton to the seat of war in 1812. Here he again began to clear up his land and built his log cabin, but he was soon destined to disappointment; his faithful wife, Elizabeth, died in the year 1821 and passed to her final reward. A short time after this sore bereavement, Mr. Crawford was called away from his home for the night, leaving his children during his absence with a housekeeper. The cabin took fire and burned to the ground with all its contents, the inmates escaping with nothing but their night clothes. They were taken care of by their neighbors with true frontier hospitality. Early in the following spring the cabin was rebuilt and Mr. Crawford again began housekeeping in true western style. On the eighteenth day of May, 1823, Mr. Crawford was married to Miss Nancy Stevens, a daughter of Zacharia Stevens, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. To this union was born a family of ten children. In the same year Mr. Crawford sold his farm and bought another, where he built a saw mill.
In the year 1832, Mr. Crawford was elected to the Ohio State Senate. The district at that time was composed of Delaware, Marion and Crawford Counties. He served in what was known as the Thirty-second General Assembly. He remained on the last farm until the year 1838, when he became financially involved, through his generosity toward his friends. But his gallantry and courage was equal to the occasion. He sold his farm and all his belongings, paid out his liabilities, and moved to Delaware in the autumn of 1839, with his large family to support and only three shillings with which to start. He immediately opened an office and began the practice of law, being then fifty-two years of age. His old friends in the legislature having heard of his misfortunes and anticipating his necessities, had passed on the sixteenth day of March, 1839, the following bill of relief: "An act for the relief of James W. Crawford."
"Section One. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that James W. Crawford of Delaware County, may be admitted to an examination to be permitted to practice as an attorney and counsellor at law as provided in the act entitled an Act to Regulate the Admission and Practice of Attorneys and Counsellors at Law, passed February 14, 1824, without presenting to the judges as provided in said act, a certificate that he has regularly and attentively studied law during the period of two years previous to his application for admission."
"James J. Foran,
"Speaker of the House of Representatives.
"William Haskins,
"Speaker of the Senate."
"March 16th, 1839."
This was an unusual proceeding and it only goes to show Mr. Crawford's high standing with the members of the General Assembly and their estimate of his ability to fulfill his obligations as an attorney-at-law. Mr. Crawford's successful practice of law for twenty years after his admission to the bar in Delaware and surrounding counties, proved that the Legislature had not over-estimated his ability and he was never known to betray his trust. Mr. Crawford was connected with many of the most important cases before the courts of Delaware County during his practice here. One case in particular, in which he was personally concerned, began by himself in the Common Pleas Court, is worthy of mention. The Council of the village of Delaware had changed the grade of North Sandusky Street, in front of Mr. Crawford's residence. He brought suit for damages and recovered a judgment in the Common Pleas Court. The village claimed that it could not be held in damages for such an injury. It was at the time an unsettled question. The case was taken to the Supreme Court, which court held that the village was liable and that case has become a leading authority both in this and other states. It is reported in the Seventh O. S. R., Page 457. An amusing incident occurred during the trial of this case in the Common Pleas Court which goes to show the earnestness and zeal with which Mr. Crawford tried a case. Hon. Thomas W. Powell and John D. Van Deman were representing the village in the trial of the case and Mr. Crawford was arguing his own case. Mr. Powell contended that the injury for which Mr. Crawford claimed damages was an injury for which there was no remedy in law and in his argument quoted the Latin Maxim. "Damnum absqui injuria." Mr. Crawford (who was not a Latin scholar), in his reply to Judge Powell's argument, turned to him and quoting the maxim as he understood it, said to Mr. Powell, "I'll show you before I get through with you, whether it is a dam tight squeeze." Colonel Crawford was a ready speaker, a good debater, was full of wit and repartee. He lived in Delaware from the time of his admission to the bar until the date of his death, which occurred the eleventh day of December, A. D.,
1859.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908