Ellen Knight Crawford
Matthew Crawford
Ellen Knight Crawford taught at East School from 1870 through 1890. She won the respect of so many people that Crawford School, built in 1909, was named in her honor. Many of her pupils and friends met annually, also in her honor, for many years. When the school was enlarged in 1918 they had her portrait made to hang in the auditorium. This group was also responsible for the beautiful fountain at Broad Boulevard and Front Street, which is inscribed with the words “Erected in Memory of Mrs. E.K. Crawford by her friends and pupils, August 1924.” These words are on the four sides of its base: Knowledge, Love, Ideals, Service.
Mr. & Mrs. Crawford lived near what is now Sackett Street on several acres of land where Matthew, was an agriculturist. Later they moved to Fourth Street near Falls Avenue. This house is still standing at this time but only until the owner, George, is alive. His father purchased it from the Crawford Family and raised his family while having an in home barber shop on the right side of the house.
Ellen Crawford served on the Board of Education from 1914 until her death on March 2, 1916, when a streetcar struck her at Second and Broad Streets while she was on her way to a board meeting. She was carried into the Congregational Church (now the Pilgrim), where she was a member, and there she died. She is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, where her marker reads, “A Beloved Teacher.”
We know from Mrs. Crawford’s writings that she spent a lot of time strolling through Oakwood Cemetery and caring for the grave sites of her family and friends. She planted many trees and flowers that her husband Matthew grew within the cemetery to keep it beautiful.
