Robert Morrison Crawford, capitalist, and a leading representative of the agricultural interests of southwestern Kansas, is descended from ancestors who for many generations lived in fair Scotland, the land of hills and heather. They brought with them to America the Scotch thrift, perseverance and diligence which descended to their children who today occupy positions of credit among the citizens of affluence in this country. Robert Crawford was born on a farm in Saline county, Kansas, twelve miles south of Salina, November 20, 1871, a son of Robert C. and Nancy Ermina Morrison Crawford. The father was born in Scotland November 19, 1836, and while still a small child accompanied his parents to the United States in 1840. They located on a farm in Randolph county, Ill., where the mother died about 1850, and in 1858 Robert C. Crawford came to Kansas and located on government land in Saline county, becoming one of the earliest settlers in this section. He engaged in farming, served as commissioner of the county at one time, and when the town of Salina was proposed he became one of the original members of the town site company. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted as corporal in a militia company under command of General Curtis, serving with credit. In 1887 Mr. Crawford came to Stevens county and in 1895 was elected treasurer of the county on the Republican ticket, holding this office, in all, five years, and died in 1904, before the expiration of his last term. Mr. Crawford also served as deputy clerk of the district court, as register of deeds and was mayor of Hugoton at one time, and was postmaster four years. He always took an important part in all movements for the upbuilding and improvement of the community. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Crawford married Nancy Morrison at Salina, Kan., in 1861. She was the daughter of A. A. Morrison, a native of Ohio, where Mrs. Crawford was born in 1842. She now lives in Salina. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford had eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. The nine living are: Marian, born in 1864, wife of A. W. Lamkin, of Salmon, Idaho; Ermina, born in 1866, the wife of J. Price Perrill, superintendent of the Dickinson County High School at Chapman, Kan.; Margaret Adeline, born in 1868, is the wife of Harry T. Perrill, a farmer near Bridgeport, Kan.; Myra Alice, born in 1870, married William H. Lamer, in 1890, and died in 1902; Robert Morrison; Nellie, born in 1876, is the wife of E. W. Josline, of Hugoton; Andrew H., born in 1878, married Myrtle Dalton, in 1905, and now lives on a farm near Salina; Estella, born in 1883, is the wife of Allen Perrill, a farmer, of Salina county; William B., born in 1885, married Eva P. Bane, and lives at Hugoton.

Robert Crawford was educated in the public schools of Saline county until 1887, when he came to Stevens county with his parents. In 1900 he bought land in Stevens county for a cattle ranch, which he conducted so well that he saw there was money in this business and from time to time added to his original holdings until today he owns 10,000 acres in one tract, one of the largest ranches to be found today in the Southwest. On about 400 acres Mr. Crawford raises corn, kaffir-corn, and sorghum for feed. Since locating in the county Mr. Crawford has been an important factor in its development, as he is progressive in his ideas and is a booster for his section. He takes an active part in all public affairs and, advocates modern methods in all walks of life. In 1899 Mr. Crawford was elected county treasurer on the Republican ticket, an office he filled with credit six years. While never accepting public office other than that in his own county, Mr. Crawford was a delegate from Stevens county to the State Republican convention for ten years. He is a man of genuine worth, who has many warm personal friends and the high regard of all who know him.