By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Crauswell’s Barbershop at 503 Highway 31 North in Hartselle closed its doors Sept. 30, after serving the public for more than 42 years. At the same time its owner, Osbon Crauswell, ended a career in barbering that spanned 60 years.
When Crauswell posted a closing notice on the wall of his shop word quickly got around to his customers and they were unhappy their barber was calling it quits.
Crauswell is a throwback to the old school of barbers. He used a straight razor to trim around the ears and back of the neck, limited his services to males and refused to give
He learned how to cut hair from his father, a barber and rural mail carrier, at their home in Arkedelphia (Cullman County).
Later, Crauswell operated a barbershop part-time in the back of Bernard Speegle’s store. He began cutting hair full-time in 1959 when he joined Pope’s Barbershop on West Main Street in Hartselle. In 1963, he and another barber entered into a partnership and opened a new shop on Highway 31 North and he later became sole owner.
Crauswell, 75, said he recognizes that he will have some adjustments to make in retirement after working in a pubic place all of his life.
Crauswell and his wife Nellie have two daughters, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.