Robert N. Crawford, president of the Mendota National Bank, was born on a farm in Bureau county, Illinois, November 28, 1868, and represents a type of business man that is a credit to any community. He has worked his way by patient industry and the faithful discharge of the duties that came to his hand, from the humble career of a farmer lad to the position of president of one of LaSalle county's most firmly established banks, showing what the American boy is capable of. His parents were Charles and Mary A. (Liscom) Crawford, the former a native of the state of Vermont and the latter born in Massachusetts. They were united in the holy bonds of matrimony in Vermont and came west to seek their fortunes in the broad and fertile prairies of Illinois, settling, in 1849, in Bureau county, where they engaged in farming. They remained in that locality for twenty years and then moved to a farm in LaSalle county, a short distance west of Mendota, where they continued to share the vicissitudes of life until Februarys 1877, when the grim reaper. Death, entered their home and took from it the husband and father just as he had passed the fifty-sixth milestone in his journey of life. Left alone with a family to care for, the mother bent her energies to rearing them to lives of usefulness and honor; and how well she succeeded is well known by the citizens of Mendota, who watched with interest her noble life. She is now in her seventy-fifth year and resides on the old homestead, made dear by years of tender associations and memories.
Robert N. Crawford was the youngest of seven children and was reared on his father's farm. His love for learning was given scope and after leaving the country schools he completed the high-school course at Mendota. Farm work did not appeal to his nature as did the more exciting and active commercial life, and at the age of nineteen years he bade adieu to the monotony of farm life and took up his residence in this city. He was fortunate in securing a clerkship in the First National Bank and was well adapted to the work, remaining with the institution in that capacity for ten years, when he resigned to become the president of the Mendota National Bank. This bank was organized in July, 1897, and opened for business in September of that year with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. It is one of the solid institutions of LaSalle county and has a large number of depositors.
Robert N. Crawford was united in marriage, in 1892, to Miss Mary E. Truman, a daughter of William Truman, an extensive farmer of this county. Mr. Crawford keeps intelligently posted on political subjects and renders valuable aid to the Republican cause. He is a Knight of Pythias and also a Knight Templar Mason. He is interested in all municipal matters and has been closely identified with the city's growth during recent years. He is straightforward and upright in all transactions and has won the commendation of all who have had any dealings with him.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 202-203.
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