From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 608-609.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


GEORGE B. CRAWFORD

George B. Crawford, a prominent citizen of Wellsburg, and mayor since 
May, 1889, is a native of that city, born November 14, l838.  His 
father, Cornelius H. Crawford, was one of the prominent men of his 
day and one of the best Ohio river pilots, a calling in which he 
engaged for some years, although he was reared upon the farm and in 
his latter years was a carpenter.  He was born on Buffalo creek, near 
Bethany, W. Va., September 8, 1814, and died at Wharton, Tex., August 
28, 1859, while sojourning there and pursuing his occupation.  By his 
marriage to Maria S., daughter of John and Mary Moren, he had seven 
children, George B., Oscar F.; Helen, deceased; Narcissa and Eliza, 
both deceased; John M. and William M.  The mother, a devoted 
Christian and benevolent lady, died March 3, 1884, in the sixty-ninth 
year of her age.  Her father, who came to Wellsburg in 1806, enlisted 
in the war of 1812, but had proceeded only as far as Northfolk when 
peace was declared.  George B. Crawford was first employed at ten 
years of age turning a wheel in a "rope walk," was subsequently in a 
cotton factory until 1860, and then in a paper mill until 1861.  In 
the latter year he enlisted in Company of the First Virginia 
volunteer infantry for three months' service, on August 4, 1862, re-
enlisted for three years.  As a veteran he served until the close of 
the war, being discharged at Clarksburg, W. Va. June 23, 1865, as a 
member of Company D, Second regiment, West Virginia veteran infantry.  
His command was one distinguished for gallantry, and he saw active 
and dangerous service in all the campaigns of the Shenandoah valley,
except while held by the enemy.  He had the misfortune to be captured
at Moorfield, W. Va., September 11, 1863, and was taken to Libby
prison, and thence thirty-six hours later, to Belle Isle, where until
March 7, 1864, he suffered great deprivations, his rations toward the
last consisting of only a finger-length square of corn bread twice a
day, and his bed being the sand, under poor tents, without covering,
and no fuel.  Being paroled at Richmond, March 7, 1864, he was
transported to Annapolis, then to Camp Chase, Ohio, and he then
remained at home on furlough until June, 1864, when he was exchanged.
He then joined his regiment in Sheridan's army in the Shenandoah valley,
and fought till peace was established.  In 1867 Mr. Crawford engaged
in the grocery business with Barclay & Lloyd, as salesman, and also as
deputy for Mr. Barclay, then sheriff, for four and a half years.  He was 
subsequently employed at Pittsburgh with J. S. Dilworth & Co., 
wholesale grocers, and then with T. B. Litten, at Wellsburg.  
Purchasing the store of Mr. Litten, he continued the grocery business 
until 1876, since which time he has been engaged in woodworking in 
its various mechanical departments.  His most famous work in this 
line was constructed while he was in business, and was an object of 
great attention during its exhibition at Wheeling, and afterward at 
the Centennial exposition of 1876.   This is a Centennial bracket, 
composed of seventy-six varieties of wood native to West Virginia, 
joined in a mosaic thirty-five inches by five and a half feet in 
area.   On this an elaborate design is worked out, including the 
American eagle, the flag, stars representing the thirteen original 
states, "Liberty," "Union," and "Independence," "In God We Trust," 
the opening sentence of the Declaration of Independence, followed by 
the names of the signers, each state being represented by a different 
wood, and after this "Philadelphia, July 4, 1776,"  "Constitution," 
names of the presidents from Washington to Grant, the figures "100," 
"Esto Perpetua" closing with the name of the maker, "Geo. B. 
Crawford, Wellsburg, West Virginia, 1876."  Surrounding all are stars 
for each state in 1876 and appropriate emblems for the territories.  
Mr. Crawford has been active in public affairs, and has rendered 
efficient service for several terms each as city clerk and 
councilman.  In fraternal matters he has been equally active and has 
held prominent official positions in the Masonic order, the G. A. R. 
and the Union Veteran Legion.  In politics he is a republican.  Mr. 
Crawford was married February 13, 1889, to Miss Margaret, daughter of 
Reuben and Bethira Hale, of Holliday's Cove, Hancock county, W. Va.  
They have been blessed with one child, Maria Hale, born February 14, 
1890. 


(Linda Fluharty)