History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

46 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
While thus filling public offices Mr. Crawford continued active
in the management of his private business affairs. In connection
with surveying he also acted as land agent and eventually became
a dealer in real estate. He utilized his excellent opportunities to
invest in property when it was to be had at a low figure and dealt
principally in farm lands, which rose in value and brought to him
splendid financial returns. He handled large property interests
on his own account in both lUinois and Iowa and in 18G5 he became
a factor in the financial circles of the state as one of the organizers
of the Lee County National Bank, which was afterward reorganized
under the name of the City National Bank, Mr. Crawford
continuing as its president up to the time of his death, which
occurred on the 11th of August, 1891.
It was on the 16th of September, 1852, that Mr. Crawford was
married to Huldah Bowman Culver and they became the parents
of two children : Charles, deceased, and J. W., now of Dixon.
To say that Mr. Crawford was prominent scarcely expresses
the place which he occupied in the public regard and in business
and official connections. He was a man whose opinions carried
great influence, for he was known to be thoroughl}' honest and,
combined with his integrity, he possessed keen sagacity, which
enabled him to thoroughly imderstand all the phases of public
questions as well as of private business interests. Ere death called
him Dixon had become a city of large and impoitant interests and
to the result he had contributed liberally through his business
activities. He was, indeed, one of the promoters and builders of
its greatness and its prosperity, and his name should stand high
on the roll of Dixon's most honored residents.
P. M. JAMES.
Peleg Miner James, practicing law at Amboy since 1882, came
to Lee county in 1874 and taught that year in the Austin district in
Siiblette. He came to Amboy the next year as a teacher where,
excepting for the year 1876-77 when he was superintendent of the
El Paso, Illinois, schools, he has remained ever since.
He is a native of Ncav England, being born in the town of
Exeter, Rhode Island, July 14, 1850. His parents were Peleg W.
and Sally A. ("Lewis') James, both of Phode Island. He traces his
ancestry back to Allen James of Providence, then Thomas Allen