Santa
Clara County
Biographies
HIRAM A. CRAWFORD
For many years Hiram A. Crawford has been
identified with building and contracting interests in San Jose, and because of
his skill and ability it is doubtful if any one man has contributed in greater
degree to the beautiful and finished aspect of the town. He has a natural
aptitude for his chosen work, combined with a keen appreciation of the
substantial and artistic, and it has always been his habit to do thoroughly and
well whatever was worth doing at all. His name is associated with the erection
of many prominent buildings in San Jose, and besides assisting in the building
of the Lick Observatory, has also erected buildings in San Francisco, Santa
Clara, Watsonville and other places along the coast.
Mr. Crawford was born in Huron
county, Ohio, March 29, 1831, a son of John and Marcia (Paul) Crawford. When
still a young boy he began an apprenticeship to a carpenter and builder, and in
his native state acquired a fair competence, considering his youth and
inexperience. Soon after his marriage to Josephine Pond he crossed the plains
with his wife in 1853, driving a team of horses, and eventually arriving in
Marysville. He was much impressed with both the climate and possibilities of
the Yuba county village, and there began to follow his trade. He assisted with
or built entire many of the best-known buildings of that time, and at the end of
a few months tried his hand at mining in Strawberry valley, in another part of
Yuba county. In 1860, having amassed quite a little money, he removed to near
Livermore, Alameda county, and engaged in a sheep business for a number of
years, taking advantage of the immense ranges and hillsides, which were
occupied by few settlers, and had fewer fences, and where the sheep grazed at
will. The drought of 1864 practically ruined his business, and after selling
off what remained of the flock he came to San Jose in the spring of 1865, and
operated a fruit store for a year. He then returned to his useful and always
appreciated trade, and has since made himself an important factor in the
architectural upbuilding of the town and vicinity.
Mr. Crawford is a member of the
Society of Pioneers of Santa Clara Valley, and is fraternally prominent, being
past grand and past chief patron of Garden City Lodge No. 142, I. O. O. F. He
is also a member of the Rebakahs. His married life
was a particularly happy and harmonious one, and although no children
brightened his home, he found in the wife of his youth a ready sympathizer and
gracious helpmate. Since 1901, however, Mr. Crawford has been alone, for his
wife died then, at the age of seventy-two. Although seventy-three years have
passed over his own head, he is still vigorous and active, handling a hammer or
chisel with the accuracy of old, and directing those
under him with assurance and authority. He is highly respected for the
uprightness and usefulness of his life, and for his successful struggling with
adverse fortune.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1372-1373. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.