Crawford Family Papers

Walter Joshua Crawford was born in Mount Vernon, Franklin County, Texas on February 25, 1873. His parents, distinguished citizens who settled in Texas before the Civil War, moved to Austin where Walter completed his education in public schools and went on to graduate from the University of Texas. He obtained a law degree and, after graduation, moved to Beaumont to open a law office. Walter gained respect and admiration for his eloquent and powerful presentations both in court and in the public sector as a champion of political movements and civic causes. Although he was never a candidate for public office, Crawford served on numerous committees in the Democratic Party and held several party offices. He was a member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal Schools.

Moving to Beaumont in the early days of the Spindletop Oil Boom allowed Crawford to take an active role in the development of the city. He helped found several civic organizations including the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club and worked on various private business ventures and was considered one of the city’s leading citizens. In addition to his law practice, Walter Crawford became a director of the First National Bank and Vice President of the Hotel Beaumont Company.

Walter married Cora Schultz of Dallas on December 12, 1901, and they had two children, Alexine and Walter, Jr. His unexpected death at age 51 following a short illness prompted front page coverage of his life and achievements in the Beaumont Enterprise.