Crichton, William D.

William D. Crichton was born on the Pacific Ocean on July 12, 1863, while his parents, David and Honorah Crichton, were traveling from Australia to San Francisco. His family soon moved to Humboldt County, where his progressive father engaged in farming and stock raising until his death in 1891. William attended public schools until age fourteen and then worked as a ranch hand and later in the lumber business in Eureka. Driven to advance beyond these roles, he studied law at night before moving to Fresno in 1887 to study under the law firm of Webb and Van Meter. He was admitted to the bar in 1890, successfully launching his professional legal career at the start of the decade.

Upon entering the legal profession, he was elected justice of the peace and served efficiently in that role for four years. During this period, he was admitted to practice in all courts of the state and subsequently built a highly successful private practice handling many important cases. His recognized ability and strong character led to his selection as the Democratic nominee for Congress in 1900, though he was defeated following a brilliant campaign. In his personal life, he married Alice Stephens in Dyersburg, Tennessee, on December 28, 1891. He remained a loyal and popular member of the Methodist Church, South, as well as the Odd Fellows and Elks lodges.