JOHN H. CRAVEN

CRAVEN, SHAW, GRABIL, WELCH, NOTTINGHAM, PRITCHARD

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/15/2004 at 20:33:18

"John H. Craven, successfully operating his farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Orient township, is a native of Montgomery county, Iowa, born October 7, 1875. His parents, Henry and Martha (Shaw) Craven, were both born in England, where they continued to reside until 1874, in which year they came to the United States, and located in Red Oak, Iowa. Both have passed away. Four of their five children survive.

John H. Craven was reared under the parental roof and on attaining his majority began his independent business career, renting a farm, which he operated for five years. In the meantime he carefully saved his money, as he was determined to purchase land as soon as possible. At the end of that time he bought the one hundred and twenty acres in Orient township where he is now living and in the intervening years he has made a number of excellent improvements on the farm. He raises Poland China hogs and Holstein cattle and gives much attention to dairying. His business affairs are well managed and he is both practical and progressive in his work as a farmer and stockman.

On the 8th of February, 1903, occurred the marriage of Mr. Craven and Miss Clara Grabil, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Daniel and Sophia Grabil. Mrs. Craven was called to her final rest on the 9th of January, 1906. She was the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased. On the 19th of January, 1908, Mr. Craven was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Etta (Welch) Nottingham, a native of Iowa and a daughter of George and Mary (Pritchard) Welch. Her father has passed away, but her mother is still living in Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. Craven have two children, Martha E. and Howard D. By her previous marriage she had two daughters, Edna M. and Margaret, who is deceased.

Mr. Craven is a republican in politics and for eight years served his district as school director. He is a prominent member and trustee of the local Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. His life has conformed to high moral standards and he holds the unqualified respect of all who know him."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.