| Name |
Craw, Laura |
- Rev Alanson Adelbert Craw
Birth: Apr. 4, 1846
Lockport, Niagara County, New York, USA
Death: Feb. 15, 1913
Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Rev. Alanson Adelbert Craw was the son of Rev. Adolphus A. and Catherine E. (Atwater) Craw.
Flora A. (Upham) Craw was his 1st wife. They were married in 1871 and she died February 9, 1902.
Adelaide Olivia (Smith) Craw Weimer was his 2nd wife. They were married January 1, 1903 and she died December 19, 1955.
He was a minister in the Genesee (now Western New York) Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Genesee Conference Journal
1914, Pgs. 133-136
Alanson Adelbert Craw was born in Lockport, New York, April 4, 1846, and passed to his coronation from Hinsdale, New York, February 15, 1914, aged 67 years, 10 months and 11 days.
He was one of nine children born to Adolphus and Catherine Atwater, only one of whom survives,--Mrs. Mary C. Brown, of Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
That he came of good Methodist stock is evident from the fact that both his father and grandfather were Local Preachers, the latter having been stricken with apoplexy while conducting a love-feast.
At the age of eighteen he was converted and united with the church, but did not yield to the call to preach until he was thirty. Meanwhile he had been a student in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and College, not quite completing his course in the latter, had engaged in teaching and farming, and had married Miss Flora A. Upham, of Marathon, Cortland County, New York, who preceded him to the better land twelve years ago, while he was serving Olean: People's Church.
Six children blessed this union, four of whom survive their parents:
- Eleanor Craw, of New York City;
- Elizabeth, Mrs. G. M. Manley, of Canaseraga, Allegany County, New York,;
- Wesley and
- Stanley, of New York.
- Maria died on Conference Sunday during his pastorate in Buffalo, and
- Alice, Mrs. William E. Siegel, of Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, was taken away September 2, 1907.
Brother Craw finally accepted a Local Preacher's license in 1876 and began his ministry as a Supply at Sanborn, Niagara County, New York, where he proved himself a good business man and a firm disciplinarian. He was received on trial in the Genesee Conference in 1877, and into full membership in 1879. He served successively the following charges: 1876-1877, Sanborn; 1878, Warren's Corners; 1879, Millville; 1880-1881, Porter and Youngstown; 1882-1883, Coudersport, Pa.; 1884-1886, Clarkson; 1887, Waterport and Kuckville; 1888-1889, Clarendon and Hulberton; 1890, Gowanda, 1891-1894, Buffalo: Woodside; 1895-1897, Canaseraga; 1898-1900, Limestone; 1901, Olean: People's Church; 1902, Ellicottville; 1903-1904, East Otto; 1905-1907, Scio; 1908-1909, Belmont; 1910-1912, Hinsdale and Ischua. During the last pastorate his naturally strong constitution began to give way; and for the last year his work was done in great physical weakness, but with quenchless zeal and unchanging purpose. Reluctantly he consented to take the superannuated relation at the last Conference, and settled at Hinsdale, where he only survived four months of inactivity.
Brother Craw was a life-long student of books, nature, men and movements. While pastor in Buffalo he took a partial course in the Medical College; and only gave it up when he perceived that it was drawing him away from the ministry to which he had consecrated his life. He had a fine appreciation of literature, and was no mean critic of art. And when too weak and weary to no longer hold a book, he found delight in sitting by the river and talking about the wonders of nature while his wife sewed by his side. He was a thoughtful preacher, always appealing to the intelligence and conscience of his hearers, and summoning them to higher and better things. His ministry was both evangelistic and educational, and nearly all his pastorates were blessed with revivals and ingatherings. At one time he conducted a successful revival for ten weeks, two of them from a sick bed. And when the physician warned him that he had not a very strong hold on this life," he replied that he had "a strong hold on the life to come." Nor did he fail to look well after the material interests of the church.
The churches at Sweden Valley and Clarkson, and the old parsonage at Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania, were built during his pastorates;
extensive repairs were made at Indian Falls, Genesee County, New York, and the beautiful windows at Scio, Allegany County, New York, were put in under his leadership; and debts were paid, rather than made and left by him. But it was as a man and friend that he was best known and loved. His genial smile, hearty manner and warm hand clasp seldom failed to win response. And what he won he usually held. It was the quality that led his boyhood friend and college mate, the eminent surgeon, Dr. Eugene F. Hoyt, to introduce him to the famous Lotus Club, of New York, where his gracious manners made friends, not only for himself but also for the Master, whose he was and whom he never failed to acknowledge.
When asked what was Brother Craw's distinguishing characteristic, a brother pastor quickly replied, "His friendliness."
On January 1st, 1903, he was united in another holy marriage with Miss Adalaide Smith, of Elmira, Chemung Co., New York who has been his devoted helpmate and loving, loyal wife to the end. Five daughters have been born of this union, four of whom are living:
- Marguerite,
- Ruth,
- Catherine, and
- little Laura, scarce three months old.
No wonder that his last thoughts were of these children of his old age, and his last words to his wife, "Learn all you can about God, and take care of our girls." He wanted to live and work for them; but he was neither afraid to die himself, not to trust his loved ones to the certain care of the Great Father. As he neared the River and his physical powers became weaker and weaker, his spiritual faculties became keener; and the thin veil which shuts out the vision and the music of that other world seemed to be drawn aside. "Isn't the music beuatiful?" "Our Father! O glory!" "They are coming! I see God and His hosts!" "There is no suffering there." "It's the long bridge." These are some of his dying words, left as a precious heritage to these sons and daughters, and as a final testimony to the reality of the gospel hope which he had preached to others.
The funeral services were held February 19th at the church in Hinsdale, in charge of the District Superintendent and pastor, with a goodly number of members of the Conference present. The Conference Quartet sang, "Still, Still With Thee." The scriptures were read by the pastor of the Methodist and Baptist Churches; Rev. John Segwalt offered prayer and tributes of love and appreciation were paid by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane, Rev. Howard Monroe Wilson, Rev. Hugh Boyd and Rev. John Walter Archibald.
Borne by members of the Conference, the outworn body was laid away in the cemetery at Hinsdale. The widow and young children continue to make their home in the midst of the sympathetic friends where his last work was done. They will have the prayers of all the members of his Conference for their comfort.
Written by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane
Family links:
Spouses: Flora A Upham Craw (1854 - 1902)*
Adelaide Olivia Smith Weimer (1873 - 1955)*
Children: Marguerite D Craw Weimer (1904 - 1973)*
*Calculated relationship
Inscription:
"Rev. Alanson A.
Craw
1846 - 1913"
Aged 67y 10m 11d
Burial: Hinsdale Cemetery
Maplehurst, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Plot: Section 2 - Lot 86 - Grave 6
Created by: Mary Jane Haight-Eckert
Record added: Feb 14, 2008
Find A Grave Memorial# 24634180
|
| Birth |
Abt 20 Nov 1912 |
- Rev Alanson Adelbert Craw
Birth: Apr. 4, 1846
Lockport, Niagara County, New York, USA
Death: Feb. 15, 1913
Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Rev. Alanson Adelbert Craw was the son of Rev. Adolphus A. and Catherine E. (Atwater) Craw.
Flora A. (Upham) Craw was his 1st wife. They were married in 1871 and she died February 9, 1902.
Adelaide Olivia (Smith) Craw Weimer was his 2nd wife. They were married January 1, 1903 and she died December 19, 1955.
He was a minister in the Genesee (now Western New York) Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Genesee Conference Journal
1914, Pgs. 133-136
Alanson Adelbert Craw was born in Lockport, New York, April 4, 1846, and passed to his coronation from Hinsdale, New York, February 15, 1914, aged 67 years, 10 months and 11 days.
He was one of nine children born to Adolphus and Catherine Atwater, only one of whom survives,--Mrs. Mary C. Brown, of Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
That he came of good Methodist stock is evident from the fact that both his father and grandfather were Local Preachers, the latter having been stricken with apoplexy while conducting a love-feast.
At the age of eighteen he was converted and united with the church, but did not yield to the call to preach until he was thirty. Meanwhile he had been a student in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and College, not quite completing his course in the latter, had engaged in teaching and farming, and had married Miss Flora A. Upham, of Marathon, Cortland County, New York, who preceded him to the better land twelve years ago, while he was serving Olean: People's Church.
Six children blessed this union, four of whom survive their parents:
- Eleanor Craw, of New York City;
- Elizabeth, Mrs. G. M. Manley, of Canaseraga, Allegany County, New York,;
- Wesley and
- Stanley, of New York.
- Maria died on Conference Sunday during his pastorate in Buffalo, and
- Alice, Mrs. William E. Siegel, of Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, was taken away September 2, 1907.
Brother Craw finally accepted a Local Preacher's license in 1876 and began his ministry as a Supply at Sanborn, Niagara County, New York, where he proved himself a good business man and a firm disciplinarian. He was received on trial in the Genesee Conference in 1877, and into full membership in 1879. He served successively the following charges: 1876-1877, Sanborn; 1878, Warren's Corners; 1879, Millville; 1880-1881, Porter and Youngstown; 1882-1883, Coudersport, Pa.; 1884-1886, Clarkson; 1887, Waterport and Kuckville; 1888-1889, Clarendon and Hulberton; 1890, Gowanda, 1891-1894, Buffalo: Woodside; 1895-1897, Canaseraga; 1898-1900, Limestone; 1901, Olean: People's Church; 1902, Ellicottville; 1903-1904, East Otto; 1905-1907, Scio; 1908-1909, Belmont; 1910-1912, Hinsdale and Ischua. During the last pastorate his naturally strong constitution began to give way; and for the last year his work was done in great physical weakness, but with quenchless zeal and unchanging purpose. Reluctantly he consented to take the superannuated relation at the last Conference, and settled at Hinsdale, where he only survived four months of inactivity.
Brother Craw was a life-long student of books, nature, men and movements. While pastor in Buffalo he took a partial course in the Medical College; and only gave it up when he perceived that it was drawing him away from the ministry to which he had consecrated his life. He had a fine appreciation of literature, and was no mean critic of art. And when too weak and weary to no longer hold a book, he found delight in sitting by the river and talking about the wonders of nature while his wife sewed by his side. He was a thoughtful preacher, always appealing to the intelligence and conscience of his hearers, and summoning them to higher and better things. His ministry was both evangelistic and educational, and nearly all his pastorates were blessed with revivals and ingatherings. At one time he conducted a successful revival for ten weeks, two of them from a sick bed. And when the physician warned him that he had not a very strong hold on this life," he replied that he had "a strong hold on the life to come." Nor did he fail to look well after the material interests of the church.
The churches at Sweden Valley and Clarkson, and the old parsonage at Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania, were built during his pastorates;
extensive repairs were made at Indian Falls, Genesee County, New York, and the beautiful windows at Scio, Allegany County, New York, were put in under his leadership; and debts were paid, rather than made and left by him. But it was as a man and friend that he was best known and loved. His genial smile, hearty manner and warm hand clasp seldom failed to win response. And what he won he usually held. It was the quality that led his boyhood friend and college mate, the eminent surgeon, Dr. Eugene F. Hoyt, to introduce him to the famous Lotus Club, of New York, where his gracious manners made friends, not only for himself but also for the Master, whose he was and whom he never failed to acknowledge.
When asked what was Brother Craw's distinguishing characteristic, a brother pastor quickly replied, "His friendliness."
On January 1st, 1903, he was united in another holy marriage with Miss Adalaide Smith, of Elmira, Chemung Co., New York who has been his devoted helpmate and loving, loyal wife to the end. Five daughters have been born of this union, four of whom are living:
- Marguerite,
- Ruth,
- Catherine, and
- little Laura, scarce three months old.
No wonder that his last thoughts were of these children of his old age, and his last words to his wife, "Learn all you can about God, and take care of our girls." He wanted to live and work for them; but he was neither afraid to die himself, not to trust his loved ones to the certain care of the Great Father. As he neared the River and his physical powers became weaker and weaker, his spiritual faculties became keener; and the thin veil which shuts out the vision and the music of that other world seemed to be drawn aside. "Isn't the music beuatiful?" "Our Father! O glory!" "They are coming! I see God and His hosts!" "There is no suffering there." "It's the long bridge." These are some of his dying words, left as a precious heritage to these sons and daughters, and as a final testimony to the reality of the gospel hope which he had preached to others.
The funeral services were held February 19th at the church in Hinsdale, in charge of the District Superintendent and pastor, with a goodly number of members of the Conference present. The Conference Quartet sang, "Still, Still With Thee." The scriptures were read by the pastor of the Methodist and Baptist Churches; Rev. John Segwalt offered prayer and tributes of love and appreciation were paid by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane, Rev. Howard Monroe Wilson, Rev. Hugh Boyd and Rev. John Walter Archibald.
Borne by members of the Conference, the outworn body was laid away in the cemetery at Hinsdale. The widow and young children continue to make their home in the midst of the sympathetic friends where his last work was done. They will have the prayers of all the members of his Conference for their comfort.
Written by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane
Family links:
Spouses: Flora A Upham Craw (1854 - 1902)*
Adelaide Olivia Smith Weimer (1873 - 1955)*
Children: Marguerite D Craw Weimer (1904 - 1973)*
*Calculated relationship
Inscription:
"Rev. Alanson A.
Craw
1846 - 1913"
Aged 67y 10m 11d
Burial: Hinsdale Cemetery
Maplehurst, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Plot: Section 2 - Lot 86 - Grave 6
Created by: Mary Jane Haight-Eckert
Record added: Feb 14, 2008
Find A Grave Memorial# 24634180
- "little Laura, scarce 3 months old" when her father died.- obituary
|
| Gender |
Female |
| Person ID |
I39405 |
WETZEL-SPRING |
| Father |
Craw, Alanson Adelbert Rev., b. 4 Apr 1846, Lockport, Niagara, New York, USA  d. 15 Feb 1913, Hinsdale, Cattaraugus, New York, USA (Age 66 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Mother |
Smith, Adelaide Olivia, b. Dec 1873, Otego, Otsego, New York, USA d. 19 Dec 1955, Daggett, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 82 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Marriage |
1 Jan 1903 |
- Adelaide Olivia Smith Weimer
Birth: Dec., 1873
Otego, Otsego County, New York, USA
Death: Dec. 19, 1955
Daggett, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, USA
Adelaide Olivia (Smith) Craw Weimer was the daughter of Van B. and Damile (Baldwin) Smith.
Rev. Alanson Adelbert Craw was her 1st husband. She was his 2nd wife.
They were married January 1, 1903 and
he died February 15, 1914. He was a minister in the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George W. Weimer was her 2nd husband. They were married in 1920 and he died in 1953.
Family links:
Spouses: Alanson Adelbert Craw (1846 - 1914)
George W Weimer (1871 - 1953)*
Children: Marguerite D Craw Weimer (1904 - 1973)*
Stephen George Weimer (1925 - 1929)*
*Calculated relationship
Burial: Hinsdale Cemetery
Maplehurst, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Plot: Section 3
Created by: Mary Jane Haight-Eckert
Record added: Feb 14, 2008
Find A Grave Memorial# 24633891
Rev Alanson Adelbert Craw
Birth: Apr. 4, 1846
Lockport, Niagara County, New York, USA
Death: Feb. 15, 1913
Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Rev. Alanson Adelbert Craw was the son of Rev. Adolphus A. and Catherine E. (Atwater) Craw.
Flora A. (Upham) Craw was his 1st wife. They were married in 1871 and she died February 9, 1902.
Adelaide Olivia (Smith) Craw Weimer was his 2nd wife. They were married January 1, 1903 and she died December 19, 1955.
He was a minister in the Genesee (now Western New York) Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Genesee Conference Journal
1914, Pgs. 133-136
Alanson Adelbert Craw was born in Lockport, New York, April 4, 1846, and passed to his coronation from Hinsdale, New York, February 15, 1914, aged 67 years, 10 months and 11 days.
He was one of nine children born to Adolphus and Catherine Atwater, only one of whom survives,--Mrs. Mary C. Brown, of Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
That he came of good Methodist stock is evident from the fact that both his father and grandfather were Local Preachers, the latter having been stricken with apoplexy while conducting a love-feast.
At the age of eighteen he was converted and united with the church, but did not yield to the call to preach until he was thirty. Meanwhile he had been a student in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and College, not quite completing his course in the latter, had engaged in teaching and farming, and had married Miss Flora A. Upham, of Marathon, Cortland County, New York, who preceded him to the better land twelve years ago, while he was serving Olean: People's Church.
Six children blessed this union, four of whom survive their parents:
- Eleanor Craw, of New York City;
- Elizabeth, Mrs. G. M. Manley, of Canaseraga, Allegany County, New York,;
- Wesley and
- Stanley, of New York.
- Maria died on Conference Sunday during his pastorate in Buffalo, and
- Alice, Mrs. William E. Siegel, of Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, was taken away September 2, 1907.
Brother Craw finally accepted a Local Preacher's license in 1876 and began his ministry as a Supply at Sanborn, Niagara County, New York, where he proved himself a good business man and a firm disciplinarian. He was received on trial in the Genesee Conference in 1877, and into full membership in 1879. He served successively the following charges: 1876-1877, Sanborn; 1878, Warren's Corners; 1879, Millville; 1880-1881, Porter and Youngstown; 1882-1883, Coudersport, Pa.; 1884-1886, Clarkson; 1887, Waterport and Kuckville; 1888-1889, Clarendon and Hulberton; 1890, Gowanda, 1891-1894, Buffalo: Woodside; 1895-1897, Canaseraga; 1898-1900, Limestone; 1901, Olean: People's Church; 1902, Ellicottville; 1903-1904, East Otto; 1905-1907, Scio; 1908-1909, Belmont; 1910-1912, Hinsdale and Ischua. During the last pastorate his naturally strong constitution began to give way; and for the last year his work was done in great physical weakness, but with quenchless zeal and unchanging purpose. Reluctantly he consented to take the superannuated relation at the last Conference, and settled at Hinsdale, where he only survived four months of inactivity.
Brother Craw was a life-long student of books, nature, men and movements. While pastor in Buffalo he took a partial course in the Medical College; and only gave it up when he perceived that it was drawing him away from the ministry to which he had consecrated his life. He had a fine appreciation of literature, and was no mean critic of art. And when too weak and weary to no longer hold a book, he found delight in sitting by the river and talking about the wonders of nature while his wife sewed by his side. He was a thoughtful preacher, always appealing to the intelligence and conscience of his hearers, and summoning them to higher and better things. His ministry was both evangelistic and educational, and nearly all his pastorates were blessed with revivals and ingatherings. At one time he conducted a successful revival for ten weeks, two of them from a sick bed. And when the physician warned him that he had not a very strong hold on this life," he replied that he had "a strong hold on the life to come." Nor did he fail to look well after the material interests of the church.
The churches at Sweden Valley and Clarkson, and the old parsonage at Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania, were built during his pastorates;
extensive repairs were made at Indian Falls, Genesee County, New York, and the beautiful windows at Scio, Allegany County, New York, were put in under his leadership; and debts were paid, rather than made and left by him. But it was as a man and friend that he was best known and loved. His genial smile, hearty manner and warm hand clasp seldom failed to win response. And what he won he usually held. It was the quality that led his boyhood friend and college mate, the eminent surgeon, Dr. Eugene F. Hoyt, to introduce him to the famous Lotus Club, of New York, where his gracious manners made friends, not only for himself but also for the Master, whose he was and whom he never failed to acknowledge.
When asked what was Brother Craw's distinguishing characteristic, a brother pastor quickly replied, "His friendliness."
On January 1st, 1903, he was united in another holy marriage with Miss Adalaide Smith, of Elmira, Chemung Co., New York who has been his devoted helpmate and loving, loyal wife to the end. Five daughters have been born of this union, four of whom are living:
- Marguerite,
- Ruth,
- Catherine, and
- little Laura, scarce three months old.
No wonder that his last thoughts were of these children of his old age, and his last words to his wife, "Learn all you can about God, and take care of our girls." He wanted to live and work for them; but he was neither afraid to die himself, not to trust his loved ones to the certain care of the Great Father. As he neared the River and his physical powers became weaker and weaker, his spiritual faculties became keener; and the thin veil which shuts out the vision and the music of that other world seemed to be drawn aside. "Isn't the music beuatiful?" "Our Father! O glory!" "They are coming! I see God and His hosts!" "There is no suffering there." "It's the long bridge." These are some of his dying words, left as a precious heritage to these sons and daughters, and as a final testimony to the reality of the gospel hope which he had preached to others.
The funeral services were held February 19th at the church in Hinsdale, in charge of the District Superintendent and pastor, with a goodly number of members of the Conference present. The Conference Quartet sang, "Still, Still With Thee." The scriptures were read by the pastor of the Methodist and Baptist Churches; Rev. John Segwalt offered prayer and tributes of love and appreciation were paid by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane, Rev. Howard Monroe Wilson, Rev. Hugh Boyd and Rev. John Walter Archibald.
Borne by members of the Conference, the outworn body was laid away in the cemetery at Hinsdale. The widow and young children continue to make their home in the midst of the sympathetic friends where his last work was done. They will have the prayers of all the members of his Conference for their comfort.
Written by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane
Family links:
Spouses: Flora A Upham Craw (1854 - 1902)*
Adelaide Olivia Smith Weimer (1873 - 1955)*
Children: Marguerite D Craw Weimer (1904 - 1973)*
*Calculated relationship
Inscription:
"Rev. Alanson A.
Craw
1846 - 1913"
Aged 67y 10m 11d
Burial: Hinsdale Cemetery
Maplehurst, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Plot: Section 2 - Lot 86 - Grave 6
Created by: Mary Jane Haight-Eckert
Record added: Feb 14, 2008
Find A Grave Memorial# 24634180
Adelaide Olivia Smith Weimer
Birth: Dec., 1873
Otego, Otsego County, New York, USA
Death: Dec. 19, 1955
Daggett, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, USA
Adelaide Olivia (Smith) Craw Weimer was the daughter of Van B. and Damile (Baldwin) Smith.
Rev. Alanson Adelbert Craw was her 1st husband. She was his 2nd wife.
They were married January 1, 1903 and
he died February 15, 1914. He was a minister in the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George W. Weimer was her 2nd husband. They were married in 1920 and he died in 1953.
Family links:
Spouses: Alanson Adelbert Craw (1846 - 1914)
George W Weimer (1871 - 1953)*
Children: Marguerite D Craw Weimer (1904 - 1973)*
Stephen George Weimer (1925 - 1929)*
*Calculated relationship
Burial: Hinsdale Cemetery
Maplehurst, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Plot: Section 3
Created by: Mary Jane Haight-Eckert
Record added: Feb 14, 2008
Find A Grave Memorial# 24633891
- A.A. Craw, Adelaide's 1st husband; she was his 2nd wife.
|
| Issue, jt |
5 daughters: Five daughters have been born of this union, four of whom are living: Marguerite, Ruth, Catherine & "little Laura, scarce 3 mo old." |
- Rev Alanson Adelbert Craw
Birth: Apr. 4, 1846
Lockport, Niagara County, New York, USA
Death: Feb. 15, 1913
Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Rev. Alanson Adelbert Craw was the son of Rev. Adolphus A. and Catherine E. (Atwater) Craw.
Flora A. (Upham) Craw was his 1st wife. They were married in 1871 and she died February 9, 1902.
Adelaide Olivia (Smith) Craw Weimer was his 2nd wife. They were married January 1, 1903 and she died December 19, 1955.
He was a minister in the Genesee (now Western New York) Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Genesee Conference Journal
1914, Pgs. 133-136
Alanson Adelbert Craw was born in Lockport, New York, April 4, 1846, and passed to his coronation from Hinsdale, New York, February 15, 1914, aged 67 years, 10 months and 11 days.
He was one of nine children born to Adolphus and Catherine Atwater, only one of whom survives,-
-Mrs. Mary C. Brown, of Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
That he came of good Methodist stock is evident from the fact that both his father and grandfather were Local Preachers, the latter having been stricken with apoplexy while conducting a love-feast.
At the age of eighteen he was converted and united with the church, but did not yield to the call to preach until he was thirty. Meanwhile he had been a student in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and College, not quite completing his course in the latter, had engaged in teaching and farming, and had
married Miss Flora A. Upham, of Marathon, Cortland County, New York, who preceded him to the better land twelve years ago, while he was serving Olean: People's Church.
Six children blessed this union, four of whom survive their parents:
- Eleanor Craw, of New York City;
- Elizabeth, Mrs. G. M. Manley, of Canaseraga, Allegany County, New York,;
- Wesley and
- Stanley, of New York.
- Maria died on Conference Sunday during his pastorate in Buffalo, and
- Alice, Mrs. William E. Siegel, of Rochester, Monroe Co., New York, was taken away September 2, 1907.
Brother Craw finally accepted a Local Preacher's license in 1876 and began his ministry as a Supply at Sanborn, Niagara County, New York, where he proved himself a good business man and a firm disciplinarian.
He was received on trial in the Genesee Conference in 1877, and into full membership in 1879. He served successively the following charges:
1876-1877, Sanborn; 1878, Warren's Corners; 1879, Millville;
1880-1881, Porter and Youngstown; 1882-1883, Coudersport, Pa.; 1884-1886, Clarkson;
1887, Waterport and Kuckville; 1888-1889, Clarendon and Hulberton; 1890, Gowanda,
1891-1894, Buffalo: Woodside; 1895-1897, Canaseraga; 1898-1900, Limestone;
1901, Olean: People's Church; 1902, Ellicottville; 1903-1904, East Otto;
1905-1907, Scio; 1908-1909, Belmont; 1910-1912, Hinsdale and Ischua.
During the last pastorate his naturally strong constitution began to give way; and for the last year his work was done in great physical weakness, but with quenchless zeal and unchanging purpose. Reluctantly he consented to take the superannuated relation at the last Conference, and settled at Hinsdale, where he only survived four months of inactivity.
Brother Craw was a life-long student of books, nature, men and movements. While pastor in Buffalo he took a partial course in the Medical College; and only gave it up when he perceived that it was drawing him away from the ministry to which he had consecrated his life. He had a fine appreciation of literature, and was no mean critic of art. And when too weak and weary to no longer hold a book, he found delight in sitting by the river and talking about the wonders of nature while his wife sewed by his side. He was a thoughtful preacher, always appealing to the intelligence and conscience of his hearers, and summoning them to higher and better things. His ministry was both evangelistic and educational, and nearly all his pastorates were blessed with revivals and ingatherings. At one time he conducted a successful revival for ten weeks, two of them from a sick bed. And when the physician warned him that he had not a very strong hold on this life," he replied that he had "a strong hold on the life to come." Nor did he fail to look well after the material interests of the church.
The churches at Sweden Valley and Clarkson, and the old parsonage at Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania, were built during his pastorates;
extensive repairs were made at Indian Falls, Genesee County, New York, and the beautiful windows at Scio, Allegany County, New York, were put in under his leadership; and debts were paid, rather than made and left by him. But it was as a man and friend that he was best known and loved. His genial smile, hearty manner and warm hand clasp seldom failed to win response. And what he won he usually held. It was the quality that led his boyhood friend and college mate, the eminent surgeon, Dr. Eugene F. Hoyt, to introduce him to the famous Lotus Club, of New York, where his gracious manners made friends, not only for himself but also for the Master, whose he was and whom he never failed to acknowledge.
When asked what was Brother Craw's distinguishing characteristic, a brother pastor quickly replied, "His friendliness."
On January 1st, 1903, he was united in another holy marriage with Miss Adalaide Smith, of Elmira, Chemung Co., New York who has been his devoted helpmate and loving, loyal wife to the end. Five daughters have been born of this union, four of whom are living:
- Marguerite,
- Ruth,
- Catherine, and
- little Laura, scarce three months old.
No wonder that his last thoughts were of these children of his old age, and his last words to his wife, "Learn all you can about God, and take care of our girls." He wanted to live and work for them; but he was neither afraid to die himself, not to trust his loved ones to the certain care of the Great Father. As he neared the River and his physical powers became weaker and weaker, his spiritual faculties became keener; and the thin veil which shuts out the vision and the music of that other world seemed to be drawn aside. "Isn't the music beuatiful?" "Our Father! O glory!" "They are coming! I see God and His hosts!" "There is no suffering there." "It's the long bridge." These are some of his dying words, left as a precious heritage to these sons and daughters, and as a final testimony to the reality of the gospel hope which he had preached to others.
The funeral services were held February 19th at the church in Hinsdale, in charge of the District Superintendent and pastor, with a goodly number of members of the Conference present. The Conference Quartet sang, "Still, Still With Thee." The scriptures were read by the pastor of the Methodist and Baptist Churches; Rev. John Segwalt offered prayer and tributes of love and appreciation were paid by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane, Rev. Howard Monroe Wilson, Rev. Hugh Boyd and Rev. John Walter Archibald.
Borne by members of the Conference, the outworn body was laid away in the cemetery at Hinsdale. The widow and young children continue to make their home in the midst of the sympathetic friends where his last work was done. They will have the prayers of all the members of his Conference for their comfort.
Written by Rev. Horace Alonzo Crane
Family links:
Spouses: Flora A Upham Craw (1854 - 1902)*
Adelaide Olivia Smith Weimer (1873 - 1955)*
Children: Marguerite D Craw Weimer (1904 - 1973)*
*Calculated relationship
Inscription:
"Rev. Alanson A.
Craw
1846 - 1913"
Aged 67y 10m 11d
Burial: Hinsdale Cemetery
Maplehurst, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA
Plot: Section 2 - Lot 86 - Grave 6
Created by: Mary Jane Haight-Eckert
Record added: Feb 14, 2008
Find A Grave Memorial# 24634180
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| Family ID |
F7501 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
Abt 1912 - 
