Craig, Mary Elizabeth (Sanborn) 1853 - 1916

CRAIG, SANBORN

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 1/2/2007 at 15:12:17

Lime Springs Sun Herald November 30, 1916

Mary Elizabeth Sanborn was born in Lime Springs, Iowa Nov. 4, 1853, and was therefore 58 years and 2 weeks old at the time of her death. She was the first of eleven children born to Lucius and Mary Jane Sanborn, who had moved to Iowa from Wisconsin and who for many years lived on the homestead, two miles west of Lime Springs. Her girlhood was spent at home, and included the years of her education in the rural school and in an academy at Cresco, Iowa, after which she taught school not far from her home for two years.

Her marriage to Joseph Howard Craig, a physician whose boyhood was largely spent in Lime Springs, occurred March 23, 1877. Then for 27 years she was the ever busy wife of a busy physician, until his illness in 1904 cut short his active work and Mrs. Craig took chief command of the family ship. Dr. and Mrs. Craig had four children, one girl and three boys, the girl died when but two weeks old, the oldest son left the home desolate by his death as a youth of 17 years. The second son, Arthur L. Craig, is located at Paonia, Colo., and the youngest, Harold Craig, is in Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. Craig's aged father and four brothers and four sisters survive her, also two grandchildren, the sons of Arthur L. Craig. Her husband died in Minneapolis but eight months ago.

For years Mrs. Craig was active in Methodist Episcopal church at Volga, Iowa, as organist, chorister and member or officer of the various ladies societies she gave freely of her ability. The past four years she has been a member of the Presbyterian churches at Rushford, Minn., and Highland Park, Minneapolis.

Mrs. Craig's own efforts kept the family going for years after the Doctor's illness. They moved to Fayette, Iowa, the same year and it was her work that enabled the youngest son to continue his education. When he came to Rushford for active school work, Dr. and Mrs. Craig came also and the mother continued her ceaseless ministration in the home. While in Rushford a slight stroke of paralysis made her a semi-invalid, and presaged the attack which cut her off so suddenly Saturday morning, Nov. 28, 1916.

The funeral service was held Tuesday, Nov.31, at Volga, Iowa, from the Methodist church, Rev. D. C. Perry of Lime Springs, a former pastor preached the sermon.