Charles Renville Crawford (Wakanhinape, meaning Appearing Sacred) was born in a village at the present site of Browns Valley, Minnesota, in 1837, to parents Joseph Akipa Renville and Winona Crawford. Thomas Crawford was his brother, Gabriel Renville was his half brother, and Susan Frenier Brown was his half sister. He was educated in the Dakota missions, and eventually moved with his family to the Upper Sioux Agency. Here he worked as an agency clerk. In 1858 he was among the treaty delegation that traveled to Washington, DC, where he served as an interpreter. He also served in this capacity during the treaty negotiations of 1867. Crawford was present at several battles during the Dakota uprising of 1862, for which he was twice tried by the military commission, but was acquitted each time. Following the uprising, he was with his family in the Dakota camp at Fort Snelling. In 1863 he was selected for scout duty in the Sibley Expedition to Dakota Territory. Later, he served in the scout camps that were organized to protect the area settlers in what is now northeastern South Dakota. When the Sisseton Reservation was established in 1867, he settled on some land on the north side of section five in Agency Township, where he farmed. He joined the Good Will Presbyterian Church on April 1, 1877, he was licensed to preach by the Dakota Presbytery on June 4, 1879, and he was installed as pastor of the Good Will Church by the Dakota Presbytery on June 23, 1881. Charles Crawford died in 1920.
Note: Charles Crawford's grave is unmarked. He was most likely buried in the Good Will Presbyterian churchyard, close to where he once preached. Other sources state that he might have been buried on his land, just south of the cemetery.∼After leading somewhat checkered career as a young man, he became a minister and respected leader among the Dakota. Pastored the church in Good Will, South Dakota. Akipa, his father, called himself Joseph Akipa Renville and also gave his sons the Renville name, but Samuel J. Brown says he was a full blood Wahpeton, so this was possibly a gesture of respect or admiration.
Note: Charles Crawford's grave is unmarked. He was most likely buried in the Good Will Presbyterian churchyard, close to where he once preached. Other sources state that he might have been buried on his land, just south of the cemetery.∼After leading somewhat checkered career as a young man, he became a minister and respected leader among the Dakota. Pastored the church in Good Will, South Dakota. Akipa, his father, called himself Joseph Akipa Renville and also gave his sons the Renville name, but Samuel J. Brown says he was a full blood Wahpeton, so this was possibly a gesture of respect or admiration.
Charles Renville Crawford (Wakanhinape, meaning Appearing Sacred) was born in a village at the present site of Browns Valley, Minnesota, in 1837, to parents Joseph Akipa Renville and Winona Crawford. Thomas Crawford was his brother, Gabriel Renville was his half brother, and Susan Frenier Brown was his half sister. He was educated in the Dakota missions, and eventually moved with his family to the Upper Sioux Agency. Here he worked as an agency clerk. In 1858 he was among the treaty delegation that traveled to Washington, DC, where he served as an interpreter. He also served in this capacity during the treaty negotiations of 1867. Crawford was present at several battles during the Dakota uprising of 1862, for which he was twice tried by the military commission, but was acquitted each time. Following the uprising, he was with his family in the Dakota camp at Fort Snelling. In 1863 he was selected for scout duty in the Sibley Expedition to Dakota Territory. Later, he served in the scout camps that were organized to protect the area settlers in what is now northeastern South Dakota. When the Sisseton Reservation was established in 1867, he settled on some land on the north side of section five in Agency Township, where he farmed. He joined the Good Will Presbyterian Church on April 1, 1877, he was licensed to preach by the Dakota Presbytery on June 4, 1879, and he was installed as pastor of the Good Will Church by the Dakota Presbytery on June 23, 1881. Charles Crawford died in 1920.
Note: Charles Crawford's grave is unmarked. He was most likely buried in the Good Will Presbyterian churchyard, close to where he once preached. Other sources state that he might have been buried on his land, just south of the cemetery.∼After leading somewhat checkered career as a young man, he became a minister and respected leader among the Dakota. Pastored the church in Good Will, South Dakota. Akipa, his father, called himself Joseph Akipa Renville and also gave his sons the Renville name, but Samuel J. Brown says he was a full blood Wahpeton, so this was possibly a gesture of respect or admiration.
Note: Charles Crawford's grave is unmarked. He was most likely buried in the Good Will Presbyterian churchyard, close to where he once preached. Other sources state that he might have been buried on his land, just south of the cemetery.∼After leading somewhat checkered career as a young man, he became a minister and respected leader among the Dakota. Pastored the church in Good Will, South Dakota. Akipa, his father, called himself Joseph Akipa Renville and also gave his sons the Renville name, but Samuel J. Brown says he was a full blood Wahpeton, so this was possibly a gesture of respect or admiration.
Family Members
Parents
Siblings
Half Siblings
