Books on the Crawford Ancestors in Cooper Co, Missouri

Marriage records:

James L. Crawford and N. T. McCarty  Mar 17, 1836
Hass, John and Crawford, Elizabeth B. 26 / Nov / 1840 11 
McFarland, Houst and Crawford, Selad? 25 / Oct / 1841 10 
Crawford, John and Greenhaugh, Eliza 18 / Apr / 1849 4 



Taken from a list of Forty Niners in Cooper County who went to California 
in 1849 and 1850:

William O. Crawford born in Cooper Co, Mo, 1832.  P.O. Sedalia

History of Cooper County, Missouri by Henry C. Levens and Nathaniel M. Drake, 1876

Page 20-21: [6]    HISTORY OF BOONE'S LICK COUNTRY   Chapter II

During the winter of 1811 and the spring of 1812, several families of 
adventurous frontiersmen came into what is now Cooper county, and settled
near the present site of Boonville. The names of those who arrived previous
to the commencement of the Indian war, were as follows

Joseph Jolly, Joseph Yarnell, Gilliard Rupe, Muke Box, Delany Bolin, William 
Savage, John Savage, James Savage, Walter Burress and David Burrcss ;and 
these, together with Captain Stephen Cole and Mrs. Hannah Cole, included all 
who had moved into the "Boone's Lick Country," south of the Missouri River, 
and west of the Osage river previous to the summer of 1812.

Page 34-35: [10]    HISTORY OF BOONE'S LICK COUNTRY   Chapter III

The first school in the Boone's Lick Country within the present limits of 
the county of Cooper, was taught by John Savage, in the year 1813, about 
one mile east of Boonville, on Lilly's Branch, about one-half of a mile 
from its mouth. The scholars numbered fifteen children of the settlers 
living in the neighborhood of Hannah Cole's fort. The names of the scholars 
who attend the school, were as follows: Benjamin; Delany and William Bolin, 
Hiram and William Savage, Hess and William Warden, John and William Yarnall, 
John and William Jolly, Joseph and William Scott, and John and William Rupe. 
The scholars sat upon one log in the open air, they then having no school 
house, and the teacher upon another log facing his pupils. The price of 
tuition was one dollar per month payable in anything which the settlers 
had that was worth one dollar. The school progressed very finely under 
the able management of the teacher who appears to have had some experience 
in teaching. But it continued only for one month, as it was caused to cease 
through fears of an attack by the Indians, who about this time commenced a 
series of depredations upon the settlers, which continued until the year 
1815, the close of the war

Page 49: [15]    ORGANIZATION OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter V

The grand jury at this term of the court were, Samuel Peters, foreman; 
Muke Rose, John Savage, James Chambers, Britton Williams, John Roberts, 
Carroll George, John Davis James Savage, Clayton Hurt, Joseph Smith, 
William Gibson, Eli N. Henry, Frederick Houx, Thomas Twentyman, William 
Noland and Delany Bolin; John Cathey, Zepheniah Bell, Henry Guyer, George 
Cathey, Daniel Dugan and James Campbell, were summoned on the same jury, 
but did not appear; process was ordered to be issued, for them to show 
cause why they should not be fined for their non-appearance.

Page 51: [16]    ORGANIZATION OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter V

The next petition for the location of a public road, was filed by Anderson 
Reavis on the same day. The road petitioned for, ran from the mouth of the 
Grand Moniteau to the Boonville and Potosi road. The commissioners appointed 
to review this road, were Francis Travis, William Lewis and John Savage.

Page 56-57: [18]     HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter VI

And on the 9th day of April 1821, Robert P. Clark produced his commission 
from the Governor as Clerk of the County Court, during life or good behavior. 
George Crawford was appointed Assessor, and Andrew Briscoe, Collector of 
Cooper County.

Page 58: [18]     HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter VI

Previous to the year 1817, there were no regular churches in Cooper County, 
but services were held, from time to time, either in the houses of the 
settlers, or whenever convenient, in some school house. But in that year 
the first church in the county was built. It was called "Concord Church," 
and was located about six miles south of the City of Boonville, near the 
present residence of John Crawford. Its denomination was Baptist. The first 
minister who preached there, was Luke Williams, who was also the first 
regular preacher located in Cooper county.

It has always been stated and believed by many to be the fact, that Concord 
church was the first church built in Missouri, outside of St. Louis and St. 
Genevieve, but of the truth of this the authors are not informed, therefore 
they cannot vouch for same. But is certain, that there could have been but 
few churches then built in the State, and it is probable that they were all 
in those two cities, as no neighborhoods in this part of the State were 
strong enough to be able to build one.

Page 72-73: [23]    POLITICAL HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter IX

The first election after Cooper County was organized, was held on the second 
day of August 1819, to elect a delegate to Congress, from the territory of 
Missouri. John Scott and Samuel Hammond were the candidates. John Scott had 
117 votes, and Samuel Hammond 21 votes, making total vote of county, 138.

... As some of the readers may have some curiosity to know the names of those 
who voted at this first election, we give them as follows:
...
     LAMINE TOWNSHIP

... George Crawford, ... John Savage, ...
 
The Judges of Election were, James Bruffee, Benjamin F. Hickox and 
William McFarland; and Clerks, George Crawford and William Ross.

Page 85: [27]    POLITICAL HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter IX

At a Whig convention, in 1840, at "Old Palestine," after nominating candidates 
for the Legislature, it was proposed to make a nomination for Sheriff. After 
considerable debate, this proposition was voted down, for the reason that the 
office was not considered a political one. This statement may sound strange 
to some, considering the way nominations and elections are governed at the 
present day, but it is nevertheless true. And, in proof of this, the records 
show, that while the Democrats were in power, John Hutchison was twice elected 
Sheriff, James Hill, Sheriff, once, John Crawford, Assessor for several years, 
and Robert P. Clark, Circuit Clerk; all of these men were uncompromising 
Whigs.

Page 143: [47]     HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter XIV  BOONVILLE TOWNSHIP

The settlers who arrived previous to the year 1815, were Giliad Rupe, Muke 
Box, Delany Bowlin, William Savage, James Savage, John Savage, and Walter 
Burress; and in 1815, Umphrey and William Gibson.

Page 148: [49]     HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY   Chapter XIV  CLARKS FORK TOWNSHIP

Some of the other old citizens were Joshua H. Berry, William Read, William 
and Reuben George, Clayton Hurt, Samuel Carpenter, Edward, Andrew and Charles 
Robertson, James, Robert and John Johnston, Samuel, Robert and William 
Drinkwater, Gabriel Titsworth, William Shipley, Acrey Hurt, Peter Carpenter, 
George Crawford, George W. Weight and Martin Jennings.

George Crawford was the first Assessor of Cooper county, which office he 
filled for many years; he was also a member of the Legislature from this 
county. 

Page 219(?): [76]     Chapter XX

Complete list of County officers, who have served from the organization of 
the County to the present time.

STATE SENATORS from the District of Missouri in which Cooper County is situated

Year of Election     Names of Senators
1820                 Cooper and Clark
1824                 George Crawford
1828                 John Miller
...

Page (?):  [80]     Chapter XX

COUNTY ASSESSORS OF COOPER COUNTY

Name            Date of Election or Appointment  Date of Retiring From Office
George Crawford 09 Apr 1821                      20 Feb 1822
...
George Crawford 06 Feb 1833                      06 Feb 1835
...
George Crawford Aug 1841                         Aug 1846
...
George Crawford Aug 1850                         Aug 1851
...

National History Company: History of Howard and Cooper Counties, Missouri, 1883 Volume II

page 742: [67]     POLITICAL HISTORY   Chapter XV

The following is the result of the election held in August 1823:
    For State Senator
George Crawford       513
James Miller           78
James McCampbell       24

page : [125]     BIOGRAPHICAL   Boonville Township

...[Joseph Byler] returned in 1851 [from California] and engaged in farming,
and in 1857 was married, June 17, to Miss Henrietta Crawford. Two years after
his marriage he settled on his present farm, where he has since lived. Mr.
and Mrs. Byler have but one child - a son Harry L. One son - Graham - is
deceased. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

page 942: [157]     BIOGRAPHICAL   Clark's Fork Township

HENRY CRAWFORD, farmer. Among the prominent young farmers of more than ordinary 
promise in this county is the young gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He 
is a son of Mr. John Crawford, whose sketch follows this, and is worthy, in 
every sense, of the name and lineage. He was born of his father's first 
marriage, May 19, 1850, and in youth had excellent educational advantages. 
After the common schools he entered Kemper's well known and highly reputed 
school at Boonville, in which he completed his education. In 1874 he went 
upon a farm of his own of about a quarter section of land and began his 
farming career, which has been characterized by the most gratifying success 
ever since. Since he settled on his present farm he has added to his landed 
estate by purchase, until he now has nearly 300 acres of real estate of his 
own. October 13, 1875, he was married to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Henry 
and Martha A. Knaus. His wife was born December 30, 1852. They have lost two 
children: Johannie L., born July 15, 1876, died July 3, 1882, and Eva, born 
August 22, 1878, died August 28, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of 
the Baptist church.

page 943: [157]     BIOGRAPHICAL   Clark's Fork Township
JOHN CRAWFORD, proprietor of Airy-View farm. Airy-View farm is one of the most 
sightly, and at the same time, one of the best farms in Cooper county. While 
it is not so large as some, what it lacks in size it more than makes up in the 
fertility of the soil, the beauty of its location and topography, and the 
superior quality of its improvements. It is a neat, model, well kept farm of 
about 300 acres, and reflects credit upon its owner and upon the county. John 
Crawford, the proprietor and owner of this farm, was a son of Hon. George 
Crawford, for many years a leading farmer of the county and a prominent 
citizen in its public affairs, and was born in Kentucky, March 15, 1816. 
In 1819 Hon. George Crawford emigrated from the Blue Grass state with his 
family, and stopping for a short time in St. Geneva, St. Charles county, 
this state, came on and settled permanently in Clark's Fork township, of 
this county. His wife was formerly a Miss Elizabeth P. Embree, to whom he 
was married March 16, 1815. She was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, November 
4, 1797, and he was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, March 8, 1795. They 
reared a family of five children; John, the subject of this sketch; William 
H., died at the age of fifty-three; Harriett, died aged eighteen; Henry, died 
aged twenty-three, and Mary E., now of Boonville. The father died July 29, 
1852; the mother nearly a year previously, September 25, 1851. Mr. Crawford 
held various offices of trust and honor during his lifetime, the most important
of which was that of state senator, the honorable station he honored by his 
ability and worth for a term of four years, from 1824 to 1828. John Crawford 
grew up on his father's farm, and inheriting the latter's spirit and enterprise
as well as his industry and personal worth, he was not long in carving out 
success in life. For years the son has held a prominent position among the 
best farmers and most substantial citizens of the county. He was married April 
18, 1849, to Miss Eliza J. Greenhalge, of this county, a worthy and excellent 
lady. She was born September 28, 1830, and died August 10, 1855. She left him 
two children - Henry, who now has a family of his own, and George W., now 
deceased. March 20, 1862, Mr. John Crawford was again married. His second 
wfe was formerly Miss Mariah C. Keener. Four children blessed this union 
Clare E., George K., John M., deceased, and Mary L., deceased. Besides 
Airy-View farm, Mr. Crawford owns about 200 acres of land in Palestine 
township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

[See also p 898 for Truman W. McFarland; his father is Reuban A. McFarland,
born October 17, 1804, and grandfather is Jacob McFarland, who married 
Nancy Cathy. Reuban could be the brother of Mary McFarland, born 
November 13, 1793, first wife of James McCormick, or Elvira McFarland, 
died Sept 8, 1834, first wife of John E. Crawford.]

[See also p 950 for Archimedes W. McFarland, cousin of Truman, whose father
is Jacob McFarland Jr.]

History of Cooper County Missouri by W. F. Johnson, 1919, Vol I

Page 154: [58]     Chapter IX   From 1821 to 1834

George Crawford was appointed assessor and Andrew Briscoe collector of 
Cooper county.

Page 233-4: [96]     Chapter XV   Townships   Clarks Fork Township

Clarks Fork Township - Clarks Fork township is bounded on the north by 
Boonville township; on the east by Prairie Home and Saline; on the south 
by Moniteau and Kelly, and on the west by Palestine. The township derives 
its name from Clark's Fork which with its tributaries drain it. It is 
practically all prairie land. John Glover was probably the

first settler in this township locating here in 181. He built his cabin 
near where Rankin's Mill now stands. John C. Rochester settled here shortly 
afterwards. He was a grandson of the founder of Rochester, New York. Having 
lost a large fortune, he sought seclusion by emigrating to the frontier 
country where people required nothing save honesty and industry to admit 
a person into their social circles. He married Miss Sally Kelly, the daughter 
of James Kelly, who was an honored soldier of the Revolution.

Some of the old citizens of this township were Joshua H. Berry, William Read, 
William and Ruben George, Clayton Hurt, Samuel Carpenter, Edward, Andrew and 
Charles Robertson, James, Robert and John Johnston, Samuel, Robert and William 
Drinkwater, Gabriel Titsworth, William Shipley, Acrey Hurt, Deter Carpenter, 
George Crawford, George Weight, Martin Jennings.

George Crawford was Cooper County's first assessor, afterwards a member of the 
legislature from the county. 

Page 318: [135]     Chapter XX   Banking and Currency

The Bank of Bunceton was organized Aug. 25, 1887, with a paid-up capital stock 
of $10,000 and the following officers: J. H. Goodwin, president, Edward Cramer,
vice-president; E. W. Moore, cashier; W. B. Kerns, secretary; and with the 
following directors, J. H. Goodwin, Edward Cramer, E. W. Moore, W. B. Kerns, 
T. J. Wallace, John Coleman, Geo. A. Carpenter, Wm. Lusk, Hugh Rogers

The bank now has a paid-up capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $35,000, with 
resources totaling more than $6,000,000 The following are the present officers:
Dr. A. W. Nelson, president; H. E. Meeker, vice-president; Snode Morris, 
vice-president; A. Blomquist, cashier; G. H. Meeker, assistant cashier. The 
directors are Dr. A. W. Nelson, R. L. Harriman, Snode Morris, Geo. K. Crawford,
A. T. Hockenberry, Geo. A. Carpenter, N. N. Leonard, C. W. Oglesby and H. E. 
Meeker.

Page 382: [166]     Chapter XXIII   Miscellaneous

Thomas and Martha Hickman were the parents of two children: Mrs. George K 
Crawford of Bunceton MO and Crockett Hickman of this review.

Page 582: [261]     Chapter XXIII   Miscellaneous

[children of Conrad Harness and Ann Tucker] ... Mrs. Henry Crawford, Palestine
township.

History of Cooper County Missouri by W. F. Johnson, 1919, Vol II

Page 970-1: [158-159]

George A. Crawford

George A. Crawford, farmer, Bunceton, Mo., was born in Clarks Fork Township 
about six miles northeast of Bunceton, Oct. 11, 1866. He is a son of John 
Crawford who was born March 5, 1816 and died Nov. 5, 1889.

John Crawford was a native of Cumberland County, Ky. and was a son of George 
Crawford, who was born in Kentucky and was one of the early pioneers of Cooper 
County who came to this county and settled at what is now Crawford Bridge. 
Herman P. Muntzell now owns the first home of the Crawfords in this county. 
Mr. Crawford improved a farm and resided there the rest of his days. John 
Crawford was reared to manhood on this farm and after his marriage he resided 
on what is now known as the Clarence Hops place. In 1848 he settled on the 
place now owned by George K. Crawford and improved it, erecting a large 
residence, and eventually became owner of over 1,000 acres of land. At the 
time of his death he owned 500 acres. In 1862 John Crawford married Miss 
Maria Kepner, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1840 and died Aug. 29, 1916. 
Maria Kepner Crawford was a daughter of Solomon Kepner who came to Cooper 
County from Pennsylvania about 1860.

Two children born to this second marriage are living: Mrs. Clara Shackleford, 
residing on the home place; and George K. Crawford, of this review. By a 
former marriage with Miss Eliza Greenhalge, John Crawford had one son, Henry, 
now deceased.

George K. Crawford resided for 50 years on the Crawford home place, engaged in 
farming and stock raising. He removed to Bunceton in 1917. In Feb., 1917, Mr. 
Crawford was married to Mrs. Frances (Hickman) Edwards widow of Dr. G. H. 
Edwards, and a daughter of Thomas Hickman, a pioneer settler near Lone Elm 
who is deceased. By her first marriage Mrs. Crawford is mother of two children:
John C., and Thomas H. Edwards.

John C. Edwards died at Camp Mills, Mineola, L. L, May 3, 1918, at the age of 
21 years. He was a corporal in the National Army, having volunteered for 
service in May, 1917, and became a member of Co. B, 140th Infantry, 35th 
Division.

Thomas H. Edwards, aged 27 years, volunteered for service in May, 1917. He 
spent one month at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, and then sailed for France, 
July 2, 1917. He was a member of the 12th Railway Engineers, organized at St. 
Louis, but he was later transferred to the Signal Corps of the A. E. F.

Mr. Crawford is a democrat. He is a member of the Baptist Church and the 
Woodmen of the World and of Wallace Lodge No. 456, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons, of Bunceton.

Cooper County, Missouri, Book of Strays - Book B

From May 1819 to August 1828
From November 1828 to December 1833

From the Western Historical Manuscript Collection
23 Ellis Library
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, Missouri 65201-5149

Some of the very earliest records can be found in the Cooper County Stray 
Books.  These books are not located at the Cooper County Court House in 
Boonville, Missouri; but reside with the Western Historical Manuscript 
Collection.   As a result, most people are unaware of the existence of 
these valuable genealogical records.

In the days before wire fences or even split rail fences, animals were allowed 
to roam free on the owner's land.  As a result, horse, cows, hogs, and sheep 
were often "lost and found" items.  I am not an expert or even novice on this 
but it appears that in some counties such as Howard and Boone a person would 
advertise finding a stray animal.  If no one came to claim the animal it was 
a case of finders keepers.  In Cooper County it appears that after finding a 
stray animal, the person would notify the Justice of the Peace in the Township 
where the animal was found.  A description of the animal(s) was provided to 
the Justice of the Peace who would then have two people appraise the value of 
the animal(s).  In some cases, the Justice of the Peace would also have a 
person testify as to the accuracy of the description of the animal(s).  
Finally, the Justice of the Peace for the Township would have all of this 
information recorded by the county clerk.  In some cases, the owner of the 
animal(s) would come forth an claim his livestock.  If not at the end of one 
year the person who found the animal(s) provided they still had the animal 
would be required to pay one-half of the appraised value of the animal to the 
county treasurer.  I am sorry but it was some ways through the records that I 
figured all of this out.  And I did not properly copy all of the information.

What these records do is to prove a date in which a person resided in Cooper 
County and it gives the township in which they lived.  As one might expect 
some of those townships are not located within the present day boundaries of 
Cooper County, Missouri.  The other information that these records provide are 
the names of a person's neighbors or relatives.  As you read through this 
information you will notice that the appraisers are generally neighbors or 
relatives of the person who found an animal.

Finally a word of caution.  Literacy was not a trait that all people shared.  
Names and locations were often spelled as they sound not as they are written.  
Plus in many instances the writer must have received a D- in spelling.  I have 
done my best to interpret the old script and faithfully record this information.
Enjoy!  James F. Thoma, January, 2000.

...

01 May 1820 Red steer and black and white bull found by William George of 
Lamine Township and testified to by George Crawford and William McFarland

13 Dec 1820 Black mare with colt found by Zepheniah Bell of Lamine Township 
and testified to by George Crawford.

13 Dec 1820 Iron gray horse found by George Crawford of Lamine Township and 
testified to by Zephaniah Bell.

13 Jan 1821 Red spotted sow taken up by Zephaniah Bell living in the Township 
of Lamine and testified to by John Savage and A. Carson.

12 Apr 1821 Dark bay mare taken up by Elverton Caldwell living on the Township 
of Boonville and testified to by Charles Abarson and John Savage.

20 Dec 1824 Red bull taken up by Robert Seal, JP of Clear Creek Township and 
appraised by James C. Burney and William Reed; paid into city treasurer.
 
14 Feb 1827 Heifer taken up by Henry Bausfield of Boonville Township and 
appraised by James Braytson and George Crawford.
 
25 Dec 1830 Bull taken up by George Crawford and appraised by William Ried and 
Joseph Chambers.

21 Dec 1830 Hog taken up by Joseph Chambers of Clear Creek Township and 
appraised by William Ried and John E. Crawford.

21 Dec 1830 Steer taken up by William Ried of Clear Creek Township and 
appraised by John E. Crawford and Joseph Chambers.

27 Jan 1831 Heifer taken up by Isaac Davis of Boonville Township and 
appraised by John E. Crawford and Voluntine Bell.

02 Dec 1831 Sorrel horse taken up by Ewing McClain of Boonville Township 
and appraised by John E. Crawford and Jacob Thomas.

14 Feb 1832 Heifer taken up by Littleton Seat of Boonville Township and 
appraised by John Chambers and Joseph Chambers.
 
27 Oct 1832 Brown filly taken up by John M. Savage of Boonville Township 
and appraised by Peter Fleming and Joseph Chambers.
 
18 Feb 1833 Chestnut sorrel mare taken up by John M. Savage of Boonville 
Township and appraised by John E. Crawford and William Smith.
 
10 Dec 1833 Brown mare taken up by Zephaniah Bell of Boonville Township and 
appraised by Joseph Chambers and David B. McGee.

History of Cooper County: An Account from Early Times to the Present by E. J. Melton, 1937

Index only of Crawfords:

Crawford, Abraham        pp.26
Crawford, Bernice        pp.156 
Crawford, Bradley A.     pp.489
Crawford, Edith          pp.173
Crawford, Edwin          pp.156
Crawford, Floyd V.       pp.392
Crawford, George         pp.53, 150
Crawford, Henry          pp.141
Crawford, James L.       pp.220
Crawford, John           pp.125, 171, 220
Crawford, John H.        pp.107, 108
Crawford, Maria          pp.220
Crawford, Marvin         pp.67, 123
Crawford, Mary Elizabeth pp.157
Crawford, Nancy          pp.558
Crawford, Unknown        pp.156
Crawford, Willie         pp.108

1835 Cooper County, Missouri Tax List

[I don't know who wrote the following note; perhaps Thoma. Also I have
kept the original spellings and typos; it looks like there may also be
multiple duplicate entries. I don't know if James Savage is really
John W. Savage, husband of Cynthia Crawford]

The following is a partial transcription of the 1835 tax rolls of Cooper 
County, Missouri.  The original tax list can be found in the Western 
Historical Manuscript Collection, 23 Ellis Library, University of 
Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65201-5149.  As can be expected 
the original record is in fragile condition.  The original record consisted 
of two page of information.  Due to the fragile nature of the source document 
it was requested that only the left page be photocopied.  

...

A=Acres  S=Section  T=Township  R=Range

Taxpaper           A  S  T  R  Original Patentee Value
Bausfield, Henry 122 30 48 16  Crawford, George   500
Bausfield, Henry  62 30 48 16  Crawford, George   140
Bausfield, Henry  62 30 48 16  Crawford, George   140
Bausfield, Henry 122 30 48 16  Crawford, George   500
Bausfield, Henry  62 30 48 16  Crawford, George   140
Bausfield, Henry  62 30 48 16  Crawford, George   140
Chambers, Joseph 170    48 17  Bowie, David       500
Crawford, George  80 25 48 17  Savage, James      150
Crawford, George  80 25 48 17  Savage, James      300
Crawford, James   80 13 48 17  Seat, Littleton    200
Crawford, John
Reid, William     75 25 48 17  Savage, James      300
Reid, William     80 25 48 17  Savage, James      150
Thomas, John