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Leon P. Crawford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leon P. Crawford
Mayor of Clemson
In office
June 1946 – January 1965
Succeeded byGeorge H. Dunkelberg
Personal details
Born(1890-04-09)April 9, 1890
Hayesville, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedApril 8, 1975(1975-04-08) (aged 84)
Clemson, South Carolina, U.S.
Resting placeOld Stone Church and Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnn Tiger
Children6

Leon Polk Crawford (April 9, 1890 – April 8, 1975) was an American politician who served as mayor of Clemson, South Carolina. He is credited for being the only Republican to hold elective office in South Carolina during the Solid South until the 1960s. He ran for United States Senator in 1956, but lost to Olin B. Johnston.

Early life

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Crawford was born on April 9, 1890, in Hayesville, North Carolina,[1] the son of Millard Crawford and Sarah Lenora Barnard.[2] He attended school at Hiawasee Junior College.[1] In 1932, his first job was serving as Clemson's city clerk.[1] Before he was elected mayor, Crawford led a movement to rename the town, then named Calhoun, to Clemson. In 1943, the change was approved 10–1.[3]

Political career

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In June 1946, he was elected mayor of Clemson, South Carolina.[3][4] At the time, Clemson was incorporated with a population less than 1,000.[3] He served for eighteen years,[2] until January 1965.[5][6] Several of his accomplishments include the establishment of the first water and sewer departments, and a $400,000 sewer program, one of the first in the town.[7] In 1956, he mounted an unsuccessful campaign, losing to Olin B. Johnston. Crawford netted around 18% of the vote.

Personal life

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He eloped and married his wife Ann Tiger.[1] They had six children.[1][2] He died on April 8, 1975, in Clemson, aged 84, a day shy of his 85th birthday.[2] He is buried at Old Stone Church Cemetery.[2][8]

Electoral history

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South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1956
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Olin D. Johnston (incumbent) 230,150 82.21% −17.72%
Republican Leon P. Crawford 49,695 17.75% N/A
No party Write-Ins 124 0.04% N/A
Majority 180,455 64.46% −35.39%
Turnout 279,969 36.8
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Clemson's Republican States Rights Mayor Seeks Johnston's Senate Seat". The Columbia Record. 1956-11-01. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Ex-Clemson Mayor Leon Crawford Dies". Anderson Independent. 1975-04-09. p. 23. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  3. ^ a b c "In His Own Way, Clemson's Mayor Changed Face, Name of Clemson". The Greenville News. 1961-07-30. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  4. ^ "Crawford Reelected at Clemson". The Greenville News. 1962-12-16. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  5. ^ "Filing Time Ends Today". The Greenville News. 1964-12-02. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  6. ^ "Councilman Dunkelberg Elected Mayor of Clemson By Big Margin". The Greenville News. 1964-12-13. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  7. ^ "Clemson Voters To Choose Mayor And 6 Councilmen". The Greenville News. 1964-12-12. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  8. ^ "Crawford Rites". Anderson Independent. 1975-04-10. p. 25. Retrieved 2024-02-15.