James A Craig

CRAIG

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/1/2010 at 18:42:10

James A Craig has since 1857 been an occupant of his present farm of 160 acres on section 36, Pleasant township. There were but eight acres broken when this property passed into the possession of his father, and since the farm has become the property of James A Craig the work of further development and improvement has bee carried steadily forward.
A native of Shelby county, Illinois, James A Craig was born on June 5, 1847, a son of Jacob F and Elizabeth (Roberts) Craig, the former born in Franklin county, Kentucky, February 18, 1818. In the year 1853 they removed from Illinois to Iowa, settling in Des Moines township, Dallas county, and the following year came to Boone county, at which time they took up their abode upon a farm in Cass township. They were among the earliest settlers of the county, for few had penetrated into this region at the tie of their arrival. West of them was open prairie, the few settles being largely located along the Des Moines river. Elk and deer were seen frequently and wild game of all kinds was plentiful, furnishing many a meal for the early residents. In the winter months the prairies presented one unbroken and dazzling sheet of snow and in the summer months were starred with a million wild flowers. In fact, the region was just about as it came form the hand of nature, and it remained to the arduous efforts of the pioneers to transform the district to its present highly developed and prosperous condition. Following the pursuits of the farmer in Peoples township, the father there continued to make his him until his death, which occurred November 27 1892. His widow survived him for several years, passing away in the same township August 24, 1901. There were three children in their family: Mrs Melissa J Mowrer, who was born April 27, 1844, and is now residing in Perry, Iowa, James A of this review, and Williams who died in Cass township in 1856.
At the usual age James A Craig began his education and the little “temple of learning” in which he pursued his studies was one of the old log schoolhouses of pioneer days. In the school of experience he has leaned any valuable lessons. He early assumed the duties and responsibilities life and remained with his parents, caring for them until they were called to the home beyond. He ahs always followed farming and stock raising as a life work, but in 1901 largely retired from active business, spending much of his time at Woodward, form which place he directs the further development and cultivation of his farm, and also spending some of his time at the home of his sister in Perry, Iowa. He has been very successful ad through capable management, unfaltering diligence and intelligently directed effort has secured a gratifying competence.
In his political views Mr Craig has been an earnest republican since casting his first presidential ballot for U S Grant. He has never seen occasion to change his party allegiance for he believes that the platform of the republican party contains the best elements of good government. He was at one time a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, connected with e ht lodge at Xenia, Dallas county. He is broad minded, liberal and optimistic. From a humble beginning in the business world he has through his own efforts worked his way steadily upward, accumulating a sufficient amount of this world’s goods to enable him to enjoy life a the present without extended recourse to further labor.

1914 Boone County History Book