Rodney Craven

As printed in 1880

RODNEY CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Chesterville; is the son of James and Abbie (Holmes) Craven; he was born in Loudoun Co., Virginia, Jan. 3, 1820; his parents were natives of the “Old Dominion,” and followed the occupation of farming, but gave their son Rodney a good education. June 29, 1843, he was married to Sarah E. Jones, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Simpson) Jones, born May 29, 1820, in Virginia; her parents were natives of that State, and owned a plantation of 260 acres, and seven slaves. They reared five children, but all are dead but Mrs. Craven; her father died Nov. 2, 1867, leaving a legacy of 134 acres of the old homestead to our subject. In the fall of 1843 Mr. Craven set out for Ohio, and after a journey of 21 days in a big wagon, they arrived at Knox Co., where they remained only one year, removing from thence to Harmony Tp., of this county; here they lived on a farm of 120 acres for 18 years; the family next removed to Decatur Co., Indiana, where they remained about three years, then returned and spent about three years near Leverings Station. The intervening years from that time to this the family have lived in Franklin Tp. Eleven children have been born to them — Virginia, William H., John A., James R., Mary E., Reuben R., Winfield, George, Laura, Alice, and an infant died; James R. enlisted in the 187th O. V. I., Company G, and John A. enlisted in the 88th O. V. 1., Company K; these two noble boys were only 17 and 18 years old, who left the comforts of home at the call of their country; in a few short weeks they were taken down with the measles, and died within two days of each other; their remains were sent home to the sorrowing family. Each year, when the glad earth is thrilled with the lay of feathered songster, and clad in the rich garb of leaf and flower, may the lowly pounds where rest the remains of James R. and John A. Craven, be strewn with choice tributes of a grateful Nation. Mary E. died April 29, 1878.. Mrs. Craven was a member of one of the aristocratic families of Virginia, and unused to work until she came to this country, but has struggled bravely until a large family surrounds her, and as handsome competence for the future.

As printed in History of Morrow County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio ... a history of Morrow County ... biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers and prominent men, (1880). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.