George CRAINE - 1890 Bio (1814-1889)

CRAINE, EMEIGH, HARDIN, TAYLOR, ROTH, DAVIDSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/11/2006 at 17:46:54

"Portrait & Biographical Album of Jefferson & Van Buren Counties", pub. 1890
Page 444-445

GEORGE CRAINE, an early settler and prominent business man of Fairfield, now deceased, was born near Hollidaysburg, Pa., January 16, 1814, and was the son of Abram and Maria (EMEIGH) CRAINE. In his youth he received a common school education and learned the carpenter's trade, after which he started westward to seek his fortune. In 1836, he became a resident of Sangamon County, Ill., where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Nancy J. HARDIN, and their friendship ripening into love they were married in 1841. The lady was born in Adair County, Ky., her parents being Asa and Elizabeth (TAYLOR) HARDIN. In 1842, Mr. CRAINE and his young wife cast their lot with the early settlers of the Territory of Iowa, becoming residents of Iowa City, but a year later they made a location in Fairfield. Ten children were born unto them, five sons and five daughters. The eldest, George January, was born in Iowa City, and died at the age of two months. The birth of the others occurred after the removal of the parents to Fairfield. Alice E., the second child, is still a resident of her native city; Laura Irene, became the wife of J. E. ROTH and died in March, 1888, at the age of forty-one years; Maria Elizabeth and Abram Asa were twins, but the latter lived only one day, and the former died at the age of a year; Maria Louise died, aged three years; Edward Walton wedded Susan ECKERT and is living in Missouri Valley, Iowa; Benjamin Taylor died at the age of two years; Mannie Eliza is unmarried and resides in Fairfield; and George Hardin, the youngest, who also makes his home in that city, wedded Miss Virginia I. DAVIDSON.

On removing from Iowa City to Fairfield, Mr. CRAINE engaged in merchandising, which he continued until 1858, when he went to Colorado, taking with him the first quartz mill ever introduced into that territory. He made several journeys back and forth between Fairfield and Colorado, and was connected with mining operations in that State for more than ten years, but continued his home in Fairfield throughout that time. About 1868, he engaged in operating a sawmill in Jefferson County, and two years later became extensively engaged in contracting and building in Fairfield. He erected the first brick dwelling house in that city, which is now occupied by Mrs. Eliza Eckert, and in the prosecution of his trade was largely instrumental in the upbuilding of Fairfield. In the course of his operations as a builder he erected a large proportion of the principal business houses facing the public square, as well as many of the other public buildings in the city, and numerous private residences. He was a man of indomitable energy and enterprise, a thorough mechanic and an industrious worker.

In politics Mr. CRAINE was a Whig in early life and joined the Republican party on its organization, being an earnest and stanch supporter of his party principles. For several years he served acceptably as an alderman on the Fairfield City Council. His wife, whose death occurred January 9th, 1888, was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a most exemplary wife and mother. Mr. CRAINE also attended the same church, but did not hold membership therein. He was much interested in the Masonic order, having been initiated into the mysteries of Clinton Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Fairfield on the 19th of November, 1866, and was a true and faithful member in good standing at the time of his death, which occurred on the 24th of October, 1889, after a short illness. He was a man of an inventive turn of mind and perfected several useful inventions, amont which was a shingle-making machine and planer. As a citizen, he was public-spirited and took a warm interest in the welfare of his home, city and county. His entire course in life was characterized by the strictest integrity, cordiality and sincerity of purpose that won him the deep and lasting regard of the most worthy people of his acquaintance.

[Also posted [in abbreviated format] to the Johnson County Biographies board]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.