Sacramento County

Biographies

JOSEPH EDWARD CREW

The death of the late Joseph E. Crew, on August 22, 1929, removed from Sacramento one of its ablest business men, public-spirited citizens and most highly respected residents - a man whose career was marked by definite purposes, tireless efforts and worthwhile accomplishments. Mr. Crew was born on the 8th of June, 1866, in Walnut Grove, Sacramento county, California, and was a son of Pleasant and Julia Sarah (Sigeuney) Crew. He was indebted to the schools of Walnut Grove for his early education, after which he attended the Sierra College at Auburn. On completing his work in the latter institution, Mr. Crew entered the employ of the California Transportation Company, with which he was identified continuously for forty-four years. His first job was that of the purser, the duties of which he filled in so satisfactory a manner that he was promoted to the position of chief clerk in the company's head office in San Francisco. In October, 1907, the California Transportation Company entered the Sacramento field and Mr. Crew was at once transferred to this city as the company's representative. Here he demonstrated his fine business qualities and from the time of his taking up the work here the company's business grew steadily in volume. This became one of the most important points on the company's lines. Mr. Crew continued as general manager at the Sacramento office until his death, which occurred as the result of an accidental injury which he received in the service.
On April 30, 1902, in Sacramento, Mr. Crew was united in marriage to Mrs. Lulu A. (Warner) Terry, who was born here and is a daughter of Charles Alphonso and Anna (McKee) Warner. Her parents started for the coast in 1849, in a covered wagon, but stopped in Nevada. In 1850 Mr. Warner went to Placerville, California, but later came to Sacramento, where he opened a custom shoe shop, in which all shoes and boots were made by hand. The firm of Warner & Van Alstine remained in active operation until the advent of the railroads, which marked the introduction of ready-made shoes into the local trade.
Mr. Crew was a loyal supporter of the republican party and during all the years of his residence here he took a live interest in everything which concerned the general welfare of this city or county -- indeed his interest included the entire valley, for the company which he so ably represented drew its business from a large radius of surrounding country. Mr. Crew was a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M.; Sacramento Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M.; Sacramento Commandery, No. 2, K. T.; Ben Ali Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; Sacramento Lodge, No. 6, B. P. O. E.; the Rotary Club; the Sutter Club; and the Chamber of Commerce. He was also identified with the Community Chest and the American Red Cross Society. At the time of his death, Sacramento Lodge, No. 6, B. P. O. E., passed the following resolution:
"Went about doing good. The clock of his days stopped and across its dial the motionless shadows mark the hour of eleven. Joseph E. Crew, August 22, 1929. In charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity he lived. The recollection of him is graven on tablets of fraternal memory, and upon the official minutes of our lodge his passing is written in words of grief and love. Joe Crew has gone home. He has answered the call. Strong, sympathetic, kindly; a life consecrated to usefulness and love for his fellowmen. Empty condolences but keep afresh the sluices of grief; vain too are the words in expressing the love and affection in which he was universally held." Mr. Crew was a man without enemies, for his attitude towards his fellowmen was one of kindness and good will. He was big-hearted and generous and his purse was open to the demands of all worthy benevolent or charitable causes, while in his business relations he was the soul of honor and represented his company in a manner that made friends for it.

Transcribed by Sande Beach.

Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 pgs. 163-164. The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.

Sacramento County Biographies