"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



The smokers of Watonwan county and vicinity who enjoy a good cigar are not compelled to use a brand made in Cuba or some other distant country, for they may procure excellent cigars manufactured by Charley T. Crowley at St. James.

Mr. Crowley was born near Westside, Iowa, December 6, 1872. He is a son of Winfield Scott and Alice (Grimley) Crowley. The father was born in Illinois in 1847; the mother was born at Huntley, that state, in 1857. They grew up, attended school and were married in their native state. After spending a short time in Iowa they removed to Chicago, where the father engaged in the milk business until 1890. He also engaged in the real estate business for a number of years, but is now living retired. His wife died in 1896. He came to Watonwan county in the year 1889 and has since made his home in St. James. He was a member of the city council for some time, and also chairman of the county commissioners for sixteen years. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and attends the Presbyterian church. His family consists of two children, namely: Charley T., subject of this sketch; and Florence, who became the wife of Floyd Hall, is deceased. One child, a daughter, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall. After the death of his first wife, Winfield S. Crowley married Rose Morris, by which union one son, Winfield Scott, Jr., was born in 1904.

Charley T. Crowley was educated in the Skinner public schools of Chicago and a business college in that city, later studied at Ames Agricultural College in Iowa. He came to St. James in 1890, where he obtained work in the hotel conducted by W. W. and E. A. Gibbs, with whom he remained five years, then worked two years in a drug store and two years in railroad service. In 1890 he began manufacturing cigars in St. James which he has continued with pronounced success to the present time, having built up an extensive trade. His factory is well equipped and an average of seven highly skilled workmen is employed by him. He made his first batch of cigars for Winfield Scott Hammond. He makes the popular brand known as "Our Governor," a ten-cent cigar; also the "Governor," a five-cent cigar of excellent quality.

Mr. Crowley was married in April, 1897, to Ada Forsyth, of St. James, and to this union two children have been born, namely: Winfield George, born in 1901; and Alice May, born in 1904. He and his family attend the Episcopal church. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of the city council at this writing, which position he has held for ten years. . He has been a member of the local fire department for twenty-one years. He was captain in the same for some time and is now chief. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Royal Arcanum, Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Crowley is also engaged in the sale of automobiles, handling the Ford in this county. He is in partnership with Schoffman, Crowley & Veltun.

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