Craig, William A.

CRAIG, ANDERSON, GETTY, PAUL, HULBERT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/28/2009 at 09:52:57

Craig, William A.

Among the enterprising citizens of Hickory Grove Township who owe their success and advancement in life to their own industry and well directed efforts, is William A. Craig, who, after a very active and successful life as an agriculturist and stock man, is now living retired in his pleasant home in the town of Newburg. He hails from far-away Ireland, from which isle has come such a great number of industrious and useful citizens to our states. Like nearly all those who come from his country, he is a man of tact, energy and perseverance and during his residence in this country made a good home and earned the reputation of an honest, upright citizen.

Mr. Craig was born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 23, 1848, the son of John G. and Hannah (Anderson) Craig, both born in Ireland but both of Scotch parentage. They grew up, were married and, in fact, spent their entire lives in their native land. The elder Craig was a grocer. They had but one child, William A., of this review. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church.

The subject was educated in Ireland and when his father died in 1849 he entered the grocery store, learned the mercantile business and followed it for some time. After spending seven years in England he emigrated to America in 1878, reaching New York City on July 14th. He came on to Cambridge, Ohio, where he visited friends four weeks, then came to Jasper County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres in Hickory Grove Township, and here he set to farming, improved his land and made it yield abundantly, so that he soon had a comfortable living and a good home and he was enabled to buy three eighty-acre tracts in the same Township in 1891, having then sold his first place. He improved this land also and engaged more extensively in general farming and stock raising until 1904, becoming one of the substantial and influential men of his community the meanwhile. In the last year mentioned he moved to the town of Newburg, Hickory Grove Township, built a pleasant cottage on Main street and retired from active life, having laid by a competency.

Politically, Mr. Craig is a Republican and he has taken a lively interest in the affairs of his community. He served his Township very ably for two terms as chairman of Township trustees, and once before for three years he served on the board of trustees. He has been Township committeeman for several years, and has held other local offices, always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church,

On April 16, 1871, Mr. Craig was united in marriage with Mary Getty, who was born in Ireland, the daughter of James and Anna Getty, natives of County Antrim, Ireland, where they spent their lives, having been born and reared in the town of Ballymena. They were also members of the Presbyterian Church.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Craig, namely: John G. married Sarah Paul and lives on his farm in this Township; James G. died in infancy; James William, who married Gertrude Hulbert, lives in this township; Agnes Margaret married Joseph Paul and they live in this Township; Anna Gordon died in infancy. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 834