JOSEPH G. CRAWFORD was born on February 22, 1844, in Luzerne Township, Fayette County, PA, the first child of Josiah W. and Susannah (Pearson) Crawford.

On September 15, 1861, at the age of 17, Joseph enrolled at Wheeling with Company I, 1st Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry. One month later, his father would enlist with the 85th PA Volunteers. At the time of his enlistment Joseph stood 5'7" tall, with a "light" complexion, blue eyes, and "light" hair. He was Honorably Discharged at New Creek, WV, on December 31, 1863, and reenlisted with Company N under Capt. James Dean. Corporal Joseph G. Crawford mustered out with his Company on July 8, 1865, at Wheeling, WV.

Joseph was married to Anna Margaret Watson on April 18, 1871, by Rev. E. B. Griffin in Belle Vernon, Fayette Co., PA. Margaret was six years younger than Joseph, being born on December 6, 1850, in McKeesport, Allegheny County, PA. The Crawfords settled in South Brownsville, Fayette Co., PA, where they raised a family of six children: Carrie G., Jesse E., Sarah E., Hannah M., Oliver B., and Watson E..

He died at home on July 9, 1919, and is buried in the Bridgeport Cemetery, Brownsville, PA. Margaret died in West Brownsville, Washington Co., PA, on Mar 16, 1928. She is also buried at Bridgeport.