Alice Bartlett Craswell, a resident of Claremont since 1956, died at home in her sleep on April 4, 2009. She was 99. 

Born on September 29, 1909 in Superior, Wisconsin, Ms. Craswell grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota. A teenager during the Depression, her family was able to generate a fair income and maintain stability throughout the tough times due to her father’s steady employment with the railroad during a tremendous boom of iron ore mining in the state. 

The influx of money generated by the mining where Ms. Craswell grew up enabled the city to build a sizable school in the 20s that taught kindergarten through junior college. She graduated from this school (now Hibbing High School) and went on to train as a teacher.

For 21 years, Ms. Craswell taught elementary school in Hibbing.

In 1953, she married Lewis S. Craswell who she had met at a business conference. In 1956, they settled in Claremont.

While in Claremont, Ms. Craswell became involved in many local and national organizations including the Republican Women's Club, the Claremont Woman's Club, the National Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of The Eastern Star, Southern California Chapter Daughters of Founders and Patriots and the National Society Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. 

An avid genealogist, Ms. Craswell spent hundreds of hours researching her lineage. During the course of her studies, which she conducted locally and in England and at the Mormon Church library in Utah (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History Library), she traced her family name back to the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and also discovered that she was a descendant of Josiah Bartlett who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Additionally, Ms. Craswell loved music, playing the piano, sewing, needlepoint, swimming, playing bridge, gardening and hummingbirds.

“She had a very neat house and she took very good care of it,” said her nephew, Randy Bartlett. “She had a lot of pride in her garden and her flowers and fruit trees.”

Ms. Craswell was a longtime member of the Claremont United Church of Christ. She also served on the election board, helping to staff and organize poll activities for numerous local, state and federal elections.

Ms. Craswell is survived by her younger brother, George W. Bartlett of Porter Ranch; and by 8 nieces and nephews including local nephew Randy Bartlett of San Dimas. In 1970, she was predeceased by her husband.

Per her request, no services will be held.