Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1151
CRAWLEY, JAMES (deceased) - In naming those who have been representative men in their various lines in Sangamon County, Ill., mention should be made of the late James Crawley, who for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits and in blacksmithing on Sections 1 and 2, Ball Township, and who fought as a Union soldier during the Civil War. Mr. Crawley was born in St. Joseph, Mo., March 20, 1840, a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (McClellan) Crawley, natives of Missouri, where the latter died, the former passing away in Menard County, Ill. Mr. Crawley's grandparents on the paternal side were Missourians and spent their entire lives in their native state, while his Grandfather McClellan came to Sangamon County, and there his death occurred.
James Crawley secured his education in the country schools of Sangamon County, Ill., and his boyhood was spent on the home farm. As a youth he engaged in blacksmithing and lived with his parents, who were Abolitionists. Mr. Crawley was living in Illinois when the Civil War broke out and enlisted in Company I, Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which organization he served until the close of the war, being mustered out July 9, 1865, at Springfield, at which time he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant. During his army service Mr. Crawley engaged in many desperate battles, including Corinth, Chattanooga, Nashville and Clarksville, and he was twice wounded, once in the arm and once in the heard. After returning from the war Mr. Crawley again engaged in blacksmithing and farming, and his widow is now living on the homestead farm of fifty-eight acres situated on Sections 1 and 2 in Ball Township. Mr. Crawley was a Republican in politics, but could never be induced to accept any position of public preferment. His family are members of the Christian Church and, while he was never a member of any religious denomination, he was always charitably inclined and supported the Christian Church to the extent of his financial ability. Mr. Crawley was a popular comrade of A. J. Weber Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Pawnee, Ill.
Mr. Crawley was married in Sangamon County, Ill., December 7, 1865, to Elizabeth Shoup, who was born in the county June 18, 1840, daughter of Timothy and Mary (Keyes) Shoup, natives of Ohio, who died in Sangamon County, both being buried in Newcomer Cemetery. Mrs. Crawley's grandparents on both sides of her family were natives of Ohio, who came as agriculturists to Sangamon County, Ill., and there died.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crawley were born three children, as follows: Mary Edna, born September 11, 1866, married J. T. Weston resides in Springfield, Ill., and has one son, Harry, who married Martha Schafer, of Chicago, by whom he had a child who died in infancy, and they now reside in St. Louis; John E., born April 14, 1869, married April 27, 1898, Sarah A. Young, born in Sangamon County, January 21, 1879, and they live on the old home place and have two children, Gracie May, born January 25, 1899, and Ernest Leo, born July 14, 1900; and Clara May, born July 9, 1876, married Edward Rohrer, a well-known agriculturist carrying on operations in Sangamon County and they have three children: Elmer (born August 12, 1894), Leroy (born January 11, 1896), and Irene J. (born April 4, 1899).