Introduction
JOHN CRAWFORD was born in Pennsylvania in 1855. He had come to New Jersey with his wife, Anna by the mid-1880s. A daughter, Mabel, was born in 1887.
Trained as an undertaker, John Crawford had established a funeral home at his residence, 2637 Westfield Avenue by March of 1892. During that month he conducted the funeral of a Daniel Rich.
| Embalming services for the decedent | $10.00 |
| Oak casket with satin linings and pillow | $78.00 |
| Extra-deep grave | $6.00 |
| Rental of 24 extra chairs for funeral | $1.00 |
| New Suit | $10.00 |
| Undershirt and Drawers | $2.00 |
| Socks | $0.25 |
| Tie | $0.25 |
| Patent Leather Slippers | $1.25 |
John Crawford’s business had progressed to the point where he took out an advertisement in the Camden City Directory 1897, and he appears at 2637 Westfield Avenue in all years through 1911. In 1912 he established a second business location, at 2717 River Road in Camden’s Cramer Hill section.
By the time the 1915 Camden City Directory was published, John Crawford had divested himself of the Cramer Hill funeral home. He bought a home at 404 West Maple Avenue in Merchantville NJ, and conducted all of his business at 2637 Westfield Avenue. He hired James R. Sudler, who lived and worked at the Westfield Avenue location. This arrangement continued through 1922.
By 1922 John Crawford took his first steps towards retirement. He took on two partners, Elias S. Mason and H.F. Stephenson and formed the John Crawford Company, to operate the Westfield Avenue funeral home. James R. Sudler established a funeral parlor of his own at 60–62 South 27th Street.
John Crawford was also active in fraternal and financial circles in Camden and Merchantville. He was a director of the East End Trust Company, the Rosedale and Pavonia Building & Loan Association and the South Jersey Amusement Association. He was president of the East Side Building & Loan Association.
John Crawford died at home on the night of February 3, 1928, survived by his wife Anna, widowed daughter Mabel McNutt, a grandson, Allen McNutt, and a second daughter who lived in New York. John Crawford’s survivors were still living at 404 Maple Avenue in Merchantville as late as April of 1930.
By 1936 the John Crawford Company had moved to 3303 Federal Street. By 1947 this building was the home of Mason’s Funeral home, although Elias Mason was already deceased. The business was being operated by his great-nephew, Mason Bradley. Mason Bradley would rename the business as the Bradley Funeral Home in 1953. The Bradley Funeral Home would continue in business at that location until 1987. The Bradley funeral home later operated second location on Evesham Township, where it remains in business in 2004.
Stockton Town Topics
Philadelphia Inquirer —
STOCKTON, Dec. 7. Rev. A. G. Lawson, D. D., of the North Baptist Church, Camden, lectured Wednesday night before the local Reform Association, on “Citizens’ Independence Days,” after which these committees were appointed by the association: Saloons—Charles Tushingham, S. W. Wheeler, A. J. Smith, Joseph Cramer, Charles Rudderow, D. E. Todd, A. Lapp, Smith Townsend, Harry Barton. Political Action—William Frazier, Rev. J. Tushingham, B. C. Rudderow, E. C. Townsend, William Miller, James K. Asay. Sabbath—William Morton, Harry Wilson, Charles White, Rev. George W. Ridout, Lemuel Horner, H. L. Denlinger, John Manning, John Keen. Postoffice—Alfred Cramer, E. Hancock, W. J. Fox, J. J. Stewart, John Crawford, Dr. Sherk.
Business men of this town are delighted over the order issued by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company that the Pavonia car shops will commence to operate on full time next week.
Town Solicitor Rex has notified Council that two judgments, obtained some months ago by the Cincinnati Bell Foundry Company, will have to be paid. The pretty new Baptist Church, in course of erection at Rosedale, will be informally opened on the 10th instant.
Chief of Police Zuane, Policeman Powell and Frank Powell have been spending the past few days looking after game in Cape May county.
Cornelius Slater, of Fourth street, has recovered from a severe attack of neuralgia of the brain.
Councilmen Lee and Betts spent Wednesday on a successful gunning trip to New Egypt.
Calvin R. Sigle will spend ten days at the Atlanta Exposition.
Stockton Republican Primaries
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Republicans held their primary election in Stockton last night. Notwithstanding the bad weather, a big vote was polled. These candidates for Council were nominated: First ward, Acquille Shimp; Second ward, Robert Lee; Third ward, Alfred Cramer; Board of Education—First ward, Charles Beale; Second ward, George Kirkbride; Third ward, John Crawford. These delegates were elected to the convention to nominate a Councilman-at-Large, Town Clerk, Collector, Assessor, Justice of the Peace: First ward, W. W. Miner, Jr., A. J. Smith, Richard Holmes; Second ward, W. Oscar Buck, Thomas Jane, John Laming; Third ward, John B. Davis, Samuel Jacquillard, Mason Young.
Camden High School 1919 Purple & Gold Yearbook Ad
Both Phones
JOHN CRAWFORD
UNDERTAKER
2637 Westfield Avenue
CAMDEN, N.J.
John Crawford Dies, Funeral Director
Camden Courier-Post —
Long Identified With Fraternal, Financial Circles in E. Camden
John Crawford, undertaker in Camden for many years, died last night at his home, 404 West Maple avenue, Merchantville. He was 73 years old.
Crawford had resided in this section for 34 years and had offices at 2637 Westfield avenue, Camden. He had been ill suffering from complications for about two months prior to his death.
Prominent in financial and fraternal circles, he was a director of the East End Trust Company, Rosedale and Pavonia Building and Loan Association and of the South Jersey Amusement Association and was president of the East Side Building and Loan Association.
His widow, Anna Crawford, and two daughters survive him. They are Mrs. Mabel MacNutt, of Merchantville, and Mrs. Warren Dawson, of New York City. Two sisters and a grandson, Warren MacNutt, also survive him.
The deceased was also an active member of the Merchantville Lodge, No. 119, F. and A. M.; Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A.; Amity Lodge, I. O. O. F.; Forestors of America; Rescue Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., and the Cross and Crown Castle, Knights of Golden Eagle.
Funeral services will be held 8 o’clock Wednesday evening at his late residence. Interment will be at convenience of the family.