(13 April 1856-6 Oct. 1945), school inspector. (J. W. Crewson) Born at Crewson’s Corners, Wellington County, Ont. Parents: William Morgan Crewson and his wife Mary Lasby. In his early years, J. W. Crewson was a teacher in Western Ontario. Later, he was a high school teacher in Cornwall, then as a middle-aged man he returned to Victoria College, of the University of Toronto, to study Classics for several years about 1900-1901, but he apparently did not on this occasion take a degree. He had earlier obtained a B. A. from Victoria College in 1888, when Victoria College was not yet a part of the University of Toronto. In his return to studies, one of his friends was the young undergraduate C. B. Sissons (1879-1965), later a well-known professor and author, who admired him and left an interesting description of him in his memoirs. Returning to Cornwall, Crewson was principal of the Model School and then once more a high school teacher.

     Apppointed in 1910 (Glengarry News 28 Sept. 1910), he was inspector of public schools in GC for 21 years up to his retirement aged 75 in 1931. He lived in Alexandria from about 1912 till his retirement, at which time the family moved to Cornwall. In retirement, besides his Cornwall home he kept a summer cottage near Summerstown. He was twice married, the first wife being dead by the time Sissons knew him. He died in Cornwall General Hospital, aged 89. (eight children) He belonged to the United Church. His son Dr A.L. Crewson was a well known eye, ear, nose and throat specialist in Cornwall, serving a wide public in SDG, and maintaining for a time a Wednesday evening office (GN 13 Feb. 1931) in Alexandria. J. W. Crewson was preceded as school inspector by Dr D. MacDiarmid and was succeeded by G. N. Edwards. Ostrom states that Crewson was the last inspector to be appointed by the SDG Council, subsequent appointments being by the Dept. of Education. There is a good passage in the Maxville history of Crewson’s school visits as inspector, recalling how he appeared to a pupil.

Standard Freeholder 9 Oct. 1945, Glengarry News 12 Oct. 1945 * obituaries, report on funeral, of Mrs Crewson, SFH 23 & 26 Jan. 1942, GN 30 Jan. 1942 * Old Boys 1906 [84], in group portrait with other high school teachers * Maxville (1991) 248 * Ostrom 289 * student records, UTA * C. B. Sissons, Nil Alienum (1964) 49-51