Hugh H. Craig

As printed in 1905

HUGH H. CRAIG.

Although a young man and a comparatively recent addition to the legal fraternity in Keokuk, Hugh H. Craig in the short space of three and a half years has demonstrated himself to be the possessor of unusual aptitude and enthusiasm for his chosen profession, in which he has already achieved a gratif_\-ing degree of success and if past attainment be a criterion for prophecy is destined to genuine distinction and a high plane of usefulness. A native of Keokuk, he was born October 1, 1874, the son of John H. Craig, now deceased, a sketch of whose career and lineage appears elsewhere in these pages. His preliminary education was obtained in the public schools of this city, and he is a graduate of Keokuk high school, class of 1892, but living ambitious for further training, he entered Parsons College, at Fairfield, Iowa, in which institution he ]nirsuc(l ri th'irougli course of classical study and was graduated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Mr. Craig early determined in favor of the law as a lifelong vocation, and on his graduation entered the law offices of John E. Craig in this city, where he studied for several months, but with a view to obtaining a variety of experience he then accepted a position as city editor of the Gate City, a leading daily newspaper of Keokuk, continuing in that line of work with marked success for three years, at the expiration of which period he resigned and resumed the study of law. Shortly afterward, in September, 1899, he was appointed by the county board of supervisors a justice of the peace, and after serving in that capacity until the following November was elected to fill the unexpired term for which he was originally appointed, and discharged the duties of the office in an acceptable manner until January 1, 1901. Meantime he had continued his legal studies, and in May, 1901, he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has devoted his attention to general practice.

Mr. Craig has shown himself to be a young man loyally devoted to the general welfare, and has assumed a prominent part in local politics as a member of the Democracy, having served his party for four years as secretary of the county central committee and for two years as secretary of the Keokuk committee, while he is also an active member of the board of directors of the Associated Charities of Keokuk, and since March of the past year has served the public as a member of the municipal board of education. He maintains substantial relations with industrial interests in Keokuk, being secretary of the Keokuk Improvement Company, and in the fraternal world of this city and of Iowa he is conceded a leading position, being Past Exalted Ruler of Keokuk Lodge, No. 106, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, an office to which he was elected after a membership of only ten months in the order, at present trustee of the Keokuk Lodge and member of the Grand Lodge, to which he has been twice elected representative, and having attended the session of the Grand Lodge at Baltimore in 1903: while he sustains membership relations with the National Union and with Morning Star Lodge, No. 5, of Keokuk, Knights of Pythias. Connected thus at many important points of contact with the varied interests of his native city, his rapid advancement is viewed with pleasure by many an experienced leader who, having played a worthy role in the upbuilding of the community, now looks about him to discover younger and stalwart shoulders upon which to cast his honored mantle.

As printed in Biographical review of Lee County, Iowa; (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.