Frank R. Crawford is the superintendent of the Oakland Cremation Association, which was incorporated on the 28th of June, 1901. His birth occurred in Sonoma county, California, on the 4th of January, 1860, his parents being T. B. and Sarah Crawford. The father, who was born in Scotland on the 21st of May, 1830, acquired his education in that country and in 1849 emigrated to the United States, settling in Tuolumne county, California, where he was engaged in mining until 1863. In that year he removed to Calaveras county and was there identified with copper mining as superintendent of a mine until 1869, when he went to Stockton, San Joaquin county, and embarked in the steamboat business, his craft plying between Stockton and San Francisco. In 1900 he put aside active business cares and the remainder of his life was spent in honorable retirement. In 1884 he had taken up his abode in Oakland, here continuing to reside until called to his final rest in 1912. The period of his residence in Oakland covered twenty-eight years and he was widely recognized as one of its prosperous, representative and respected citizens.
Frank R. Crawford attended the public schools of Sonoma, California, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Stockton, this state, where he continued his education in the public schools until 1884. In that year he came to Oakland and afterward worked as a machinist in the service of the San Francisco Tool Company of San Francisco until 1888, while subsequently he was engaged as engineer for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company until 1902. He then returned to Oakland and took charge of the construction of the Oakland Crematorium, continuing as superintendent of the same. The officers for 1912-13 are as follows: George W. Reed, president; Dr. F. R. Jordan, vice president; Horace E. Smith, secretary; First National Bank, treasurer; George W. Reed, Dr. F. R. Jordan, the late M. T. Emmert, F. F. Mood, the late A. E. H. Cramer, George R. Crane and Dr. E. T. Hosford, directors. The crematorium is fully equipped with the best and latest improved appliances for incineration, which work is performed by competent men of long experience. The columbarium is one of the finest in the world for the reception of ashes. The magnificent fireproof building is modern in every respect and contains thousands of niches for the benefit of those who desire permanent resting places for the ashes of their dead. The office of the Oakland Cremation Association is in the Crematorium building at Howe and Mather streets. The Pacific contains a well written article setting forth the wisdom of cremating the dead and states that "in 1890 there were three hundred and seventy-two cremations in the United States. In 1900 the number was two thousand three hundred and eighty-nine. In 1908 it was three thousand four hundred and sixty-two. Nearly one-third of the number for 1908 was in San Francisco, the figures being one thousand one hundred and four. The number in New York that year was seven hundred and twenty-three. The number of crematories in operation in the United States at that time was twenty-five. The crematory in Oakland, operated by the Oakland Cremation Association, first used in June, 1902, had three hundred and twelve incinerations in 1903, nine hundred and thirty-one in 1911 and over one thousand in 1912."
On the 16th of February, 1901, Mr. Crawford was joined in wedlock to Miss May Kennedy, the ceremony taking place in Oakland. He is a republican in politics, and his religious views accord with those of the Christian Science church. He belongs to the Marine Engineers and is identified fraternally with the Royal Arch Masons. His genuine worth and his devotion to all that is right, just and elevating, make him a man whom to know is to respect and honor.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 110-111
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 5/28/2008
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
Copyright © 1996-2011; This Web page is sponsored by Supporters on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by The Administrative Team of the CAGW. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.