John Crawford (Manitoba politician)

John Crawford (June 17, 1856 – May 31, 1928) was a Canadian politician.

John Crawford
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Portage la Prairie
In office
1904–1908
Preceded byRiding created in 1903
Succeeded byArthur Meighen
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Beautiful Plains
In office
1886–1892
Personal details
Born(1856-06-17)June 17, 1856
Kintail, Canada West
DiedMay 31, 1928(1928-05-31) (aged 71)
Political partyLiberal

Born in Kintail, Huron County, Canada West, the son of James Crawford and Catherine McGregor, Crawford received his education in the Port Albert public school, and after spending six years in a flour mill in Port Albert moved to Gladstone, Manitoba. In 1876, he took up land in Neepawa district and carried on an implement business also, until 1883, when he removed to the town and conducted the implement, lumber and grain business until August 1890 when he opened a general store.

He was elected to Council in 1884, and was, for some years, Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Rosedale. At the time of the outbreak of the North-West Rebellion, he raised a company of volunteers, which was attached to the 95th Battalion, and was gazetted as captain. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as the Liberal candidate for Beautiful Plains in 1886 and 1888, but was defeated by John Andrew Davidson in 1892. He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada for Portage la Prairie in the 1904 federal election. A Liberal, he was defeated in 1908 losing to future Prime Minister of Canada Arthur Meighen.

Crawford was a Presbyterian and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Matilda Hayden in 1881.

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This article incorporates text from The Canadian album: men of Canada, Vol. 3, a publication now in the public domain.