REV. J. W. CREWDSON, Livingston County, was born July 23, 1828, in Logan County, Ky. His grandfather was James Crewdson, a native of Virginia, and of Welsh descent. James Crewdson came to Logan County, Ky., as early as 1801, and was a resident of that part of the State until 1831, at which time he moved to Illinois and died at Beardstown in 1833. He was a teacher by profession, and later in life engaged in farming, which was his business at the time of his death. Samuel B. Crewdson, subject's father, was born in 1802, and spent the greater part of his life in Logan County. He moved to Beardstown, Ill., with his father, and died at that place one year after his arrival, in 1832. Subject's maternal grandfather was George Miliken, a native of Chatham County, N. C. He came to Kentucky about 1807 or 1808, and settled in Logan County, where he died in 1820, Nancy H. (Milliken) Crewdson, subject's mother, was born in 1808 and died in 1839. She was the mother of four children, viz: William N., J. W., John, deceased, and S. B., deceased. Rev. Mr. Crewdson was thrown upon his own resources early in life, his father dying when he was four years old, and his mother when he was eleven. After his parents' death he made his home with an uncle, Amos Milliken, with whom he lived until twenty years of age, serving as an apprentice to a tanner in the meantime. He worked at the tanner's trade about eighteen months. In 1849 he moved to Pope County, Ill., where he found employment at different occupations. One year later he moved to Hardin County, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits, teaching during the winters for about nine years. He joined the United Baptist Church at the age of sixteen, and was licensed to preach in 1856, and since that time he has been actively engaged in ministerial work in Illinois and Kentucky. He preached in Pope and Hardin Counties, Ill., about fifteen years, and ministered to almost all the churches of his denomination in the above and adjoining counties. In 1861 he was elected county judge of Hardin County, which office he held for four years. He moved to Kentucky in 1871, settling in Livingston County, between Birdsville and Carrsville, purchasing a farm, which he still owns. Since coming to Kentucky he has been exclusively engaged in his ministerial labors, having served, as pastor, most of the Baptist Churches in Livingston County. Mr. Crewdson is an able theologian and a popular pulpit orator. He has been twice married; the first time, September 9, 1849, to Miss Amanda Jackson, daughter of George and Susan (Vineyard) Jackson, of Hardin County, Ill. The following are the names of the children born to this marriage: Nannie B., wife of G. T. Threlkeld; G. B.; Jennie, wife of T. M. Lay; James M., deceased; William E. and John L., deceased. Mrs. Crewdson died in November, 1872. December 17, 1873, Mr. Crewdson's second marriage took place with Mrs. S. C. Wiley, daughter of J. L. and Mary Rutter, of Livingston County.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 814-815.