Crawford, Abel Justus, 1867-1969.

Abel Justus Crawford, born Nov. 10, 1867, in Mt. Gillead, Kentucky, began his business career herding sheep for Farm Brookshire in Runnels County, Texas. Later he built up his own flock in Edely County, New Mexico. He married Minnie Campbell in 1898 and settled in Carlsbad. He built up a fortune through his Crawford Hotel and Peoples' Mercantile chain in West Texas and eastern New Mexico and with H. J. Hammond organized the First National Bank of Carlsbad. His ranching interests included the old M-L Ranch near Carlsbad and partnership in Montana. He also held interest in six major Southwestern banks. Crawford died on Feb. 11, 1969 at age 101.