David McLean Crawford

Dr. David M. Crawford, the youngest and only survivor of the four brothers, was born in Mifflintown, Pa., on the 30th of March, 1826, the son of Dr. David and Peggy (Brown) Crawford, West Hanover, Dauphin County.  He received a thorough English training at the select schools of his native place and acquired a knowledge of the classics during a three year’s course under Rev. John Hutchinson, an instructor of repute. He began the study of medicine in his father’s office and continued until the latter’s death, in 1848, entering the Medical University of the City of New York the following fall, when he attended lectures during the session of 1848-49. He at once began practice in connection with his brother, E. Darwin Crawford, in Thompsontown, Juniata County, and attended a second course of lectures during the session of 1850-51, graduating in March of the latter year. Choosing Millerstown, Perry County, as a desirable field of location, he continued in active practice until 1864, when Mifflintown again became his home, as successor to his brother, E. Darwin Crawford, who died the same year. Here he has since enjoyed a career of uninterrupted success as a practitioner. His thorough training, skill in surgery and quick perception as a diagnostician speedily enabled him to take a leading place in the county, and brought a correspondingly extended field of labor. As a consulting physician his practice extends far beyond the limits of the county of his residence. He has been, since the date of his location in Millerstown, surgeon of the Pennsylvania Railroad, his territory extending from Lewistown to Millerstown. The doctor has, as a Democrat, been actively and influential in politics, both in his county and in adjacent portions of the State. He was, in 1870, elected to the State Senate by a very flattering majority, and served with the sessions of 1871, ’72, ’73. He was re-elected, during the centennial year of 1876, to the sessions of 1877, ’78, ’79, serving during these periods on various important committees, among which were retrenchment and reform, railroads, new counties and county-seats, banks and banking, Federal relations, pensions and gratuities. The doctor’s religious belief is in accord with the creed of the Presbyterian Church, of which he and all his family are members. Dr. Crawford was, on the 10th of May, 1853, married to Miss Ellen E., daughter of James and Eliza Jackman, of Liverpool, Perry County. Their children are Rebecca Murray, Anna Jane (deceased), Brodie Jackman (deceased), James Woodburn (deceased), Darwin McLean, Martyn Payne, Edgar Druitt. The death of Anna Jane occurred May 12, 1867; that of James Woodburg August 28, 1867. Brodie Jackman died on the 27th of July, 1863, aged twenty-seven years. He was educated at the select schools of Mifflintown and the Airy View Academy, Port Royal, under Professor David Wilson; entered the sophomore class of Princeton College at the age of sixteen and graduated with honor three years later. Deciding upon the law as a profession, he entered the office of Alfred J. Patterson, Esq., of Mifflintown, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. While still in feeble health, he began practice in his native place. His career, though brief, was replete with the promise of future usefulness. Bright in intellect, well grounded in the knowledge of law, with great urbanity of manner and many genial qualities of heart, he was destined to high position and honor in his profession, when he succumbed in the heroic struggle for life. The bar of the county paid fitting tributes to his memory and the loss they had sustained in his death. Darwin McLean began the study of medicine with his father, and entered the University College of the City of New York, from which he will graduate in 1886. Martyn Payne has adopted the profession of druggist, and Edgar Druitt is a student in the Mifflintown High School.
Brother of Senator Dr. Erasmus Crawford; father-in-law of Col. (state senator) John K. Robison.