The Craig Families of Buchanan County, Missouri

GENERAL JAMES CRAIG, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1817, and when only two years of age was taken by his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where his father, James Craig, engaged in working at his trade, that of a tailor. The subject of this sketch was obliged to work hard, never attending school more than ten or twelve months in his life, and at the age of twenty-two he entered the office of Harris & Brown, to study law in Canton, Ohio. After leaving that city, he settled at New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, continuing the practice of law, and in 1844, moved to Oregon, Missouri. In the summer of 1846, he was elected to the Legislature as a representative from Holt County. At about the close of his term, the Mexican War broke out, and, by order of the Governor, he organized a company which was ordered to the west to protect trains and emigrants. They took part in many exciting engagements with the several tribes of Indians. In the spring of 1849, Captain Craig crossed the plains to California, and after being successful in the rich gold mines of that state, he returned to St. Joseph in the summer of 1850, and, in company with Mr. Lawrence Archer, he engaged in the practice of law. On the first year of his return, in the contest for

District Attorney, Mr. Craig, then, as now, a Democrat, was elected. In 1856 he was elected to Congress, and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected. He declined a third term. Soon after the breaking out of the war, he was commissioned a Brigadier General, by President Lincoln. He was ordered, by the Commander-in-Chief, Halleck, again among the Indians. He took charge of the troops at Fort Kearney, Fort Laramie and all the district lying between the Missouri River and Utah, including that territory. In the summer of 1863, he resigned his commission in the United States Army and was appointed Brigadier General by the Governor of Missouri, which position he accepted. He was then placed in command of the troops in Northwest Missouri. After a faithful discharge of his duties, late in 1864, he again resigned, thus closing his military career. Since 1861, General Craig has been extensively engaged in building and operating railroads; for fifteen years he was connected with the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, part of the time as President. In August, 1843, he was married in Wayne County, Ohio, to Miss M. Pfouts. The result of this union was was five children. One daughter married Captain Wilcox, of the Fourth Cavalry; his oldest daughter is the wife of Major Samuel A. Garth, of St. Joseph; his oldest son, Louis, is a Lieutenant in the United States Army.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

A. C. CRAIG, retired merchant, was born in Jackson County, Indiana, April 24, 1822, and lived in Jeffersonville, Indiana, until his 12th year, and then removed to Kentucky, and remained nine years. He made his home in Nashville, Tennessee, four years, and then came to this county in 1848. His education was received mostly in Kentucky, at the common schools. His early ambition was for a store, so that he spent several years as clerk. When he came West, he went into the general dry goods business with his brother, in DeKalb, in which they remained until 1858. He then came to this city and commenced in the dry goods business with Messrs. Clark & Conard. In 1862, they sold out their business, Messrs Clark & Conard going to Montana. In 1864, he went to Montana, and again embarked in the same trade, and remained until 1866, when he returned to St. Joseph, and entered into the wholesale business with Tootle, Farleigh & Co., and also Tootle, Craig & Co., remaining with them until 1876. Since that period his time has been occupied in attending to his private interests. He married Miss Ellen I. Christopher, daughter of Major Christopher, of Richmond, Kentucky, March 27, 185 1. They have one son, living. Dr. William B. Their eldest son, Thomas, died in January, 1877, in this city, aged twenty-five years. Mr. Craig is one of the many successful business men of this city.

was born in DeKalb, Missouri, September 17, 1855. He graduated at the city high school, in 1873, and studied medicine with Dr. J. D. Smith for two years. Attended the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New- York, for one term, and he was graduated from the St. Louis Medical College, and the following year re-entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, and received an addendum. At the opening of the St. Joseph Hospital Medical College, he was appointed Professor and Demonstrator of Anatomy, and also of Ophthalmic Surgery, and he has been a successful practitioner five years.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM L. CRAIG, a sturdy son of Kentucky, was born in Rock Castle County, in that state, December 19, 1823. At the age of seventeen he moved to Crab Orchard, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. Four years after, he went to Madison County, settling near Richmond, where he worked at his trade eleven years. In 1855, he moved to St. Joseph, of which city, with the exception of an interval of five years spent in farming in Andrew County, he has since been a constant resident. An experience of forty years at the forge has earned for Mr. Craig a reputation for excellence in every detail of his calling which few men enjoy. In 1844, he married in Washington County, Kentucky, Miss Elizabeth Shoemaker, a native of that part of the state. They have a family of eight children living — Sarah E., James Y., William M., (of St. Louis), Robert A., Aggie, Lottie, Fannie and Thomas J. Mr. Craig has been a member of the Masonic Order for thirty years. He is a Knight Templar, and, in Kentucky, was a member of the Grand Lodge of the state.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES Y. CRAIG, horseshoer, 916 Frederick avenue, was born Nov. 23, 1848 at Rodgersville, Ky. He came to Missouri with his father, W. L. Craig in 1855, locating first at Savannah, but coming to St. Joseph in 1863. He was first married to Mary F. Baxter, Nov. 18, 1869, who bore him two boys, still living, and who died in November, 1889. He then married Miss Elizabeth Tibbetts, May 24, 1893. They have one child, Lucille Elizabeth, aged two years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

City Marshal, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 27, 1829, and came to St. Joseph in September, 1850. He married Emily M. Barnes. in this county, April 4, 1852. They have four children: Corydon F., Morton H., Lilia M. and Lulu A. Mr. Craig was a hard working man, living in Iowa when work was the order of the day. He operated a large breaking team for while, but became a victim of the California fever in 1852, and, with many others, remained In the land of gold until 1859, when he returned to this place, and accepted a position in the I'postoffice. Remained there until 1862. when he was elected Sheriff of the county, and held the office for the term of two years. In 1865, he was appointed mail agent on the Hannibal & St. Joseph R. R. In April, 1866, he was elected Marshal, etc., of the city. The changing of the city charter vacated all officers then acting, so he stepped down and out.

but, in 1870, he was again appointed mail agent, and served faithfully for nearly four years; then ticket agent for the H. & S. J. R. R. one year, and, in 1877, was again appointed mail agent on the St. J. & W. and again, in 1878, was appointed to a position in the Postoffice as general delivery and forwarding clerk. This position he held two years, and was for the second time elected City Marshal, etc.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.