Peninsula ODD Fellows
Museum of ODD History
4836 N Lombard St
Serving North Portland since 1895
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Reuben Crawford was born into slavery in St. Louis Missouri, on June 12, 1828. He was hired out by his owner to a shipyard while he was still a child. Crawford began shifting for himself by the age of 13. In 1862 he purchased his freedom and used the skills he learned in slavery to build Monitor Class warships for the Union Navy.
In 1870, Reuben Crawford brought his family to Oregon, where he transformed the lives of the fledgling African American Community in Portland. In 1884, Crawford was a founding member of the New Northwest Lodge #2554, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1897 Reuben Crawford was one of two founding deacons of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Crawford was also a founding member and Vice President of the Portland Colored Immigration Society, and a speaker for the Bedrock Republican Club.
Professionally, Crawford achieved celebrity status for his skills as a ship caulker. He was named the Dean of Ship Caulkers and was asked to christen two ships, the Wakena, and the Beaver.
