HARDY CREWS

1878-1953

Honorable Hardy H. Crews, Charlton County's veteran Tax Receiver, was born in Pierce County, now Brantley, near the town of Hoboken on August 4, 1878. He was reared to young manhood at the family homestead, being the oldest living member of a family of seven brothers and sisters. He is a son of the late H.M. Crews, Sr., better known as "Uncle Hamp" who moved to Charlton County and was for many years a widely known and highly regarded citizen of this county, residing at the old Crews home place in the Uptonville district. .

The Crews family originally migrated from South Carolina long before Charlton County was created and is now with a doubt one of the largest most widely-connected families in this section of the state, with many of its members living in the neighboring counties of Georgia and Florida, being regarded as honest, law-abiding worthy citizens who have contributed a great deal toward the development of this country from a wilderness. "Uncle Hamp" was looked upon as the leader among the large Crews clan of this area.

Moving to Charlton County in November, 1900, H.H. Crews, the subject of this sketch, has been a loyal public spirited citizen of the county since that date nearly fifty years ago.. On moving to this county he settled in the 1142nd or Traders Hill District, and has lived in that community almost continuously ever since. For many years, while his large family was growing up, Mr. Crews carried on farming operations in addition to public duties, but in recent years he has limited his farm work to a home garden.

Elected Tax Receiver of Charlton County, Mr. Crews was sworn in for his first term on January 1, 1915 and he has served faithfully and efficiently in that capacity continuously since that date or over thirty-six years. This undoubtedly constitutes a record of public service in an elected office unequalled in the history of the county. During his long term of service Mr. Crews has carried on his official duties in a quiet, courteous manner and these traits undoubtedly have accounted for his popularity and for his repeated re-election without opposition. He has had opposition only two or three times since his first election. His long service too has made him familiar with the location, value and ownership of property generally throughout the county, this knowledge having been acquired by many years of earnest application to the duties of his office.

His long years of service has made him a familiar figure at the county courthouse where he has now come to be regarded as a permanent fixture. He always has a cheerful greeting and a sincere welcome to all visitors to his office.On February 9, 1898 Mr. Crews was married to Miss Martha M. Thomas, daughter of the late B.M. Thomas, prominent and widely known citizen of Brantley County. They grew up in the same neighborhood of Pierce, now Brantley County, and she has been his constant aid and helpmeet through the years. To this union fifteen children have been born, thirteen of whom have been reared to adulthood, seven sons and six daughters. The family is now widely disbursed, several being highly respected citizens of this county. Only one unmarried daughter now remains with them at their home in the Traders Hill district, and but for the visits of grandchildren, their once-lively home would now seem lonely indeed.

Through his long years of capable, conscientious service as a public official, Mr. Crews has won, in full measure, the confidence and grateful appreciation of people of Charlton County. Although he is well along in years, in reasonably good health he continues to carry on his duties with promptness and courteousness which has marked his entire career.

Mr. and Mrs. Crews have many warm friends throughout the county who will wish for their continued good health and happiness.