William Evans Crow is Born

Today in Masonic History William Evans Crow is born 1870.

William Evans Crow was an American politician.

Crow was born on March 10th, 1870 in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He attended public schools in the area before going on to a college education at the Southwestern State Normal School, also known as a teachers college. He also attended Waynesburg College. Finally he graduated from Princeton University in 1892.

After graduating, Crow started working for a newspaper publisher. He worked there for three years while he studied the law at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1895 he passed the bar and opened a private practice in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

In 1896, Crow was appointed assistant district attorney. In 1898 he was elected District Attorney of the 8th District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 8th District is the largest prosecutor office in Pennsylvania. He served as District Attorney until 1907 when he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate. He served there until 1921. During his time in the State Senate he served as President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

In 1922, Crow was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Philander Knox, a sitting United States Senator. Crow resigned from the State Senate and immediately began his appointed term as United States Senator. He served for less than eight months. He developed pneumonia and was absent from the Senate during his illness. Despite his health, he attended a session on July 28th, 1922 to register his vote.

They voted on the Fordney-McCumber Tariff Act. It significantly raised tariffs on foreign products to protect American industry. Despite it being a significant legislative achievement for the Harding administration and a detriment to Crow's health, its longer effects helped to worsen the Great Depression.

Crow passed away on August 2nd, 1922.

Crow was a member of Fayette Lodge No. 228 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.