Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

A. N. CRAWFORD

Certainly one who has lived on the same farm for sixty years deserves a place in the "Who's Who" of his town, and such is the record of Arba N. Crawford; he was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 1807, and in 1835 came by trail and water to Calhoun county and in 1836 was married to Miss Eunice Mack.

To this union were born six children, Jane, Cornelius, Helen, Edwin, George and Frederick, all of whom with the parents are deceased.

In 1843 they came to Allegan with an ox-team, then to Ganges where they were almost the first settlers in Glenn. Neighbors were very few, the nearest, Levi Loomis, being eight miles north and their nearest markets were Kala-mazoo or St. Joe on the south, Singapore on the north; and Allegan to the east; roads in every direction were only paths or Indian trails and should they attempt to go to St. Joseph, the Black River had to be forded which made the trip always a dangerous one, but Mr. Crawford braved many hardships as did his faithful helpmate, they worked hard, were economical and prospered, his farm consisting of four hundred acres most of which he cleared himself. They were a very benevolent people, giving liberally to churches and worthy causes, had hosts of friends to whom their home was always open.

What reminiscences they could tell of those pioneer days!