Crawford Family to be Honored For Accomplishments in Orangeville, Manti

Press Release

John and James Crawford and their sister Margaret Crawford Houston will be honored with their wives and children Sept. 27 and 28, the 32^nd annual commemoration of the Settlement of Sanpete.

This traditional event is sponsored by the Manti Camp of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. The public is invited to attend. Scottish country dancing will set the tone for a night of mingling with Crawfords, many whom have come great distances, at the Red Church, 300 South Main in Manti, 7-9 p.m. Noted performer Cheri Nelson of Boise, Idaho will lead out with demonstration with ample opportunity for any who wish to participate. Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 a.m., Bryan Crawford Nelson of Boise, Idaho, noted for his skill with the bagpipe, will perform a Scottish medley at the wreath laying ceremony held at the Pioneer Heritage Gardens, West of the Manti Temple on Highway 89.

The Crawford Honor Program will be held in the Manti Tabernacle Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning following the cemetery program.

The Crawfords arrived to “Zion” from Scotland as early as 1848. In 1853, the Walker War had erupted and Brigham Young called John Crawford to Captain 35 men and families to help bolster defense at the Manti Settlement. His brother James soon followed to Manti while sister Margaret and husband James Houston settled in St. George. After her husband’s early death, Margaret left with seven children moved to Panquitch and became a frequent visitor to Manti and the Temple.

Input on the Sanpete Valley by the Crawfords was destined to be large. In 1901, electricity came to Manti and the young Stanley Crawford and a stock company formed to provide finances. Stanley’s father James Crawford Jr. provided one-fourth of the stock to be sold.

A “thorough electrician” Stanley Crawford then built electric plants in Fountain Green, Moroni and Spring City. Next, he put power plants in Nephi, Beaver, Salina, Cedar City, Parowan and Castle Dale-Orangeville.

Leaders in the sheep industry, the Crawfords also took part in establishing the Central Utah Wool Company at Manti, the Manti City Savings Bank, the Union Roller Mills and the Manti Publishing Company.

In Orangeville, the Crawfords were involved in cattle ranching, wool growing and aided significantly in establishing the Orangeville Flouring Mills.

“Stanley Crawford and his automobile pulled out of town Tuesday morning containing his father James Crawford Jr. and P.P. Dyreng all headed for Manti via Salina Canyon. The party was trailed by a team and wagon to help out in case of a stick somewhere. They concluded not to tackle Straight Canyon on account of the poor road and stormy period. During his visit here, Mr. Crawford treated several hundred people to an initial auto ride, keeping his touring car running almost constantly. His kindness was much appreciated.”  (Emery County Progress August 1, 1908)

Their large families united with what reads like a “who’s who” of Sanpete including Cox, Merriam, Munk, Thompson, Moffit, Olsen, Peacock, Jolley, Peterson, Tatton, Hatch, Snow, Christofferson, Braithwaite and many others.

Lunch will be at noon in the Manti Tabernacle Cultural Hall. Proceeds benefit the Patten House (DUP Museum) Restoration project. Reservations are appreciated: $8 for adults, $5 for children. Contact Becky Hatch; (801) 560-7642, 511 South 600 West, Manti, UT 84642, bwhatch@gmail.com