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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HUGH MILLS CRAWFORD. The occupation of farming is one that has received attention from the earliest ages, and it is not to be wondered at that it has become the art it is at the present time. Among those who have shown a thorough knowledge of this calling, and whose operations are conducted in a very satisfactory manner, may be mentioned Hugh Crawford, who is the owner of a good farm in township 7, range 6, Randolph County. He is also held in high esteem for services rendered his country during the late war, where he was a member of Company H, Twenty-second Illinois Infantry.

Mr. Crawford is a native of this county, having been born near Blair, June 13, 1822. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Hughs) Crawford, the former of whom was born in Tennessee, of Scotch parentage. The mother of our subject is a native of this county, where her father was a pioneer farmer. Samuel Crawford, who was a finely educated man was a school teacher, but Hugh, of this sketch, did not attend school, receiving his training in book lore from his father. The latter raised cotton on his farm, which after being woven and spun was made into the clothing worn by the family, and was the only kind of wearing apparel that was to be had in that early day.

When eighteen years of age, our subject began making his own way in the world by cultivating land, and has ever since followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company H, Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, and while in the service was transferred to the Forty-second Infantry, in which he remained until the close of the war. He participated in the Atlanta campaign, and during his enlistment saw much active service. A few months previous to the close of the war he was made Assistant Commissary-Sergeant.

When again settling down to peaceful pursuits, our subject returned to his farm, where he has since lived. August 11, 1842, he married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth McNabney, and to them were born six children, only two of whom are now living: Samuel, who is residing in St. Louis, Mo.; and Elizabeth, Mrs. Henry Stone, who makes her home in Kansas. The wife and mother departed this life in September, 1858. In 1861 Mr. Crawford married Miss Christina Brewer, and their union was blessed by the birth of one child, Mary C. Mrs. Christina Crawford departed this life in June, 1863. The lady whom our subject married in 1866 was Mrs. Sarah J. Mahan. Her decease occurred two years later, and the present wife of our subject, with whom he was united in 1872, was prior to her marriage Miss Catherine Crawford. She was born, reared and educated in this county, and has attained to a ripe old age.

Hugh Crawford has voted at fifty general elections, and has cast every ballot within the confines of this county. In early years a Whig, he has voted with the Republican party since its organization, and is greatly interested in issues of a political nature. He is very popular in this community, has been Constable and Justice of the Peace, and during his active life entered with zeal into the promotion of matters connected with the public welfare. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mrs. Crawford worships with the Baptist Church in Ellis Grove. Socially our subject is a Grand Army man, and belongs to Swanwick Post No. 212, at Chester.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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