In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1823, Rock Castle County
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
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 history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.