James was born in Lawrence County, Indiana. According to family oral history, in 1865 he joined the wagon train that included the Lenon family. He is not listed as having a wagon, so perhaps he was hired as a driver or herdsman. On this journey, he and Lucetta Lenon met and later married in Marion County, OR in 1866.

They remained in Marion County until about 1874, when they moved to the Dayton, Washington area. His parents and siblings joined him in Dayton in 1879. In the early 1890s, they again moved, this time to the Fix Ridge section of Latah County.

obituary

The Lewiston Morning Tribune
Saturday, March 30, 1918

Pioneer of the Northwest Passed Away Tuesday.

With the passing away last Tuesday of James Crawford at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elmer Weeks, of Toppenish, Wash., another pioneer of the northwest has joined the great majority. Mr. Crawford's death was attributed to a very sudden attack of Bright's disease, coming on him but four days previous to the time of his demise, aided by infirmities incident to old age, he being seventy-eight years at the time of his death. Up to one week ago yesterday he enjoyed comparatively good health for one having passed man's allotted three score and ten years, and gave no signs of impending illness.

Almost fifty years ago Mr. Crawford, who came west from Indiana, and his wife left their home in Oregon to seek out their fortune in this section of the west, and settled near where the town of Dayton, Wash. now stands. After residing there for about twenty years the family removed to the Fix Ridge section of Latah County, near Juliaetta, Idaho spending about twenty-six years there on a farm.

A large family was reared by Mr. Crawford, ten children, six boys and four girls being born to this union, of which nine are still living. Mrs. Crawford died about twenty years ago, and since that time Mr. Crawford had let a rather retired life. He was a man of fine character and stood high with the people of the communities in which he lived and had many warm friends in the surrounding country.

The surviving children are Mrs. A. F. Harbke of Nezperce; Mrs. Elmer Weeks of Toppenish; Mrs. Columbus Erby, Connell, Wash., and Sam and William Crawford of Ilo, and Winchester, respectively; James Crawford of California; and Abner, Joseph and John Crawford, all residing near Weiser. Four sisters and two brothers also survive; these being Mrs. Sarah Spedden, of Grangeville; Mrs. James Butler, of Pomeroy, Mrs. Lyde Daly, of Palouse; Mrs. Mollie Morrison, of Lewiston; A. B. Crawford, Weiser, and Nick Crawford, a resident of Clearwater county.

Interment of the body took place Thursday in the Fix Ridge cemetery, a large concourse of friends gathering to pay their last respects.

The family desire to express their thanks to the people of Juliaetta for their kindness and help at the time of the arrangements and during the funeral ceremony.

daughter Flo Celia Irby #15520400