Santa
Barbara County
Biographies
LELAND
MORRIS CRAWFORD
Leland Morris Crawford, a member of
the prominent law firm of Robertson, Crawford & Nichols, occupying a large
suite of offices built by themselves in Santa Barbara, has been successfully
engaged in practice in this city since leaving the military service of the
country after the close of the World war. He was born in Missouri on the 19th
of October, 1888, his parents being Dr. John and Jennie (Morris) Crawford, the
former a native of Ohio and the latter of Scotland county, Missouri. They were
married in the year 1887. Dr. John Crawford came to California in 1900,
settling in Santa Paula, where he remained active in the practice of medicine
until his death, which occurred December 15, 1932. He was a valued member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, taking a helpful part in its work. To him and
his wife, who still resides in Santa Paula, were born three children: L. M.,
James D., of Santa Barbara, and Clare, of Santa Paula.
Leland M. Crawford acquired his
early education in the grade and high schools of Missouri and in June, 1914,
was admitted to the California bar. He engaged in law practice at Santa Paula
until May 15, 1917, when he joined the army, as the United States had become
involved in the World war. He was commissioned a first lieutenant in the
Ninety-first Division and was stationed at Camp Lewis, Washington, until sent
overseas with his division, with which he participated in numerous engagements.
He is a member of the American Legion. Lieutenant Crawford resigned his
commission on the 15th of May, 1919, and made his way to Santa
Barbara, California, where he has continued in active
law practice throughout the intervening period of fifteen years. As above stated,
he is a member of the firm of Robertson, Crawford & Nichols, leading
attorneys, who are accorded an extensive and gratifying clientele. Mr. Crawford
served as secretary of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association for eight years
and is also a member of the California State Bar Association and the American
Bar Association. Aside from his professional activities he is interested in the
agricultural development of this part of the state, being the owner of valuable
farming property.
On the 5th of May, 1919,
Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Mae E. McCormack, of Tacoma, Washington,
daughter of James and Elizabeth McCormack. They are the parents of three
children, namely: Eleanor Anne, born September 8, 1920; Elizabeth Jane, born
January 1, 1924; and Leland Morris, Jr., born June 5, 1929.
Mr. Crawford is a republican in
politics and served as a member of the Santa Barbara city council for two
years. He is a vestryman of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Santa Barbara and
fraternally is identified with the Masons, belonging to blue lodge, F. & A.
M., of Santa Paula. He possesses to a marked degree the essential qualities of
good citizenship, has consistently stood for the best things in community life,
and is held in high respect and esteem.
Transcribed By:
Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V,
by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 131-132,
Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.