William Lyne Crawford

William Lyne Crawford
BornJanuary 23, 1839
DiedFebruary 17, 1920(1920-02-17) (aged 81)
EducationMcKenzie College[1]
Occupation(s)Lawyer, politician
Military career
AllegianceConfederate States of America (1861–1865)
Service / branchConfederate States Army
Years of service1861–1865
RankLt Colonel (CSA)[2][1]
Unit19th Texas Infantry[1]

William Lyne Crawford (January 23, 1839 – February 17, 1920) was an American Confederate veteran, criminal lawyer and politician. He was "considered the leading criminal lawyer in Texas."[3]

Biography

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William Crawford was born to Jeptha and Catherine Crawford in Clay County, Kentucky. The family moved to Texas in 1843.[1]

During the American Civil War of 1861–1865, he served as a colonel in the Confederate States Army.[3]

As a member of the Constitutional Convention of Texas held in 1875, Crawford succeeded in having a clause inserted in the constitution providing for the popular election of all judges. Years later he stated that it was a great mistake; that they should have been appointed.[4]

He served as a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1892 to 1893.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Crawford, William Lyne". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  2. ^ "19th Regiment, Texas Infantry". National Park Service. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "CONFEDERATE COLONEL DIES AT DALLAS HOME". San Antonio Evening News. February 17, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved December 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Cowart, Robert E (1922). Proceedings of the 41st Annual Session of the Texas Bar Association. Texas Bar Association. p. 197.
  5. ^ "Texas Legislators: Past & Present: William Lyne Crawford". Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved December 10, 2017.