My Genealogy Hound

Crawford McWilliam, an old and prosperous farmer and stock dealer of Scotland County, Mo., and a resident of Miller Township, was born near Belfast, Ireland, February 29, 1828. He is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Crawford) McWilliam The McWilliam and Crawford families are descendants of Scottish ancestors. Samuel McWilliam was born in County Antrim Ireland, in the year 1800, and died there in 1882. He was a prosperous farmer. The mother of our subject was also a native of County Antrim, Ireland, born in 1801, and died in her native county April 19, 1872. Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. During the Irish rebellion, in 1798, both families (McWilliam and Crawford) were Royalists. Our subject is the eldest of six sons and one daughter. He received a liberal education, and in 1849 came to the United States, making a visit of eighteen months to an uncle living in Belmont County, Ohio He then returned to Ireland, and married Elizabeth Moore of County Antrim, born March 30, 1830. To this marriage were born eight children: Eliza, Samuel, William A., Mary, Thomas, John, Crawford and Maggie. After his marriage our subject and wife returned to America, and settled in Van Buren County, Iowa, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Six years later he removed to his present place of residence. He now owns a large tract of improved land, and pays particular attention to raising and dealing in livestock. During the late war he was commissary sergeant in the Home Guards. Mr. McWilliam is an honored citizen, an ardent supporter of Republican principles, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.