CRAIG, Dr. James A.: 1871-1948
CRAIG, BROWN, PERKINS, STJOHN
Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 11/2/2013 at 09:25:31
DOCTOR JAMES A. CRAIG FUNERAL HELD WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
DR. JAMES A. CRAIG
(By Io Sloan Therme)Dr. James Alexander Craig, 76, who had practiced medicine in Keosauqua 52 years, died at 10:45 Sunday morning, January 11, 1948, at his home. He had been confined to this bed three years, following a stroke, and had been hospitalized part of that time.
He was the son of William and Anna Brown Craig, and was born in Keosauqua May 24, 1871. Three brothers and one sister preceded him in death, namely, Will, who was a physician, Hugh, a pharmacist, Colin, of the U.S. Navy, and Miss Jean, who died three years ago.
In 1902 he married Ethel Perkins, daughter of Rev. Chas. E. Perkins, a Congregational minister in Keosauqua for 25 years. To them was born one daughter, Elizabeth. Ethel died in 1905. Elizabeth knew no other mother than her aunt Jean who lovingly cared for her. In 1913 he married Florence Marien St. John.
His father, Dr. William Craig was also a physician, having practiced here 48 years.
Dr. Craig was an active member of the American Association, having held offices in the latter group.
He was a member of the Congregational church, and the various branches of the Masonic Order, and of the local Commercial Club.
He attended the Keosauqua schools, was a student at Iowa State University, and a graduate physician from the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia.
Surviving are his wife, Florence, who was his devoted companion and a watchful and efficient nurse through these last pain-racked years. His daughter, Elisabeth, lives in San Francisco, unable to attend these services.
These are the pertinent facts of Dr. Craig's life, but weaving in and out through those 76 years of living, is the story of a selfless life spent in the care of the hurt and ailing.
Fifty-two years the physician, with a record of 48 years for his father, 100 years of medical care for one town from one family.
For a long time in the community, it was Old Doctor Craig, dignified, stoop-shouldered, wearing a small white beard, moving slowly among his patients, measuring out bitter-tasting doses. He epitomized all that was best in the old school of medicine. Then came young Doc to take his Father's place and eventually to make a place for himself in his chosen field of practice. Soon came the more affectionate title of "Doctor Bob", that the children gave him, and which young and old alike used.
Medicine, in the half century of Dr. Bob's practice, has made mightly strides, and each new discovery brought him joy. He poured over the medical journals piled in the workshop of his profession, the Doctor's Office. A physician's office is singulary uncelebrated, considering it is the acme of helpfulness for human suffering. it should be lettered in Gold. From there, though winter cold, March winds, summer heat, good weather or bad, morning, noon or night, all day and every day, year after years, goes the Doctor on his rounds to the summons of the sick; and, after careful and intelligent examination, there was prescribed the right medicine and treatment for each special ailment, for, as a diagnostician, Doctor Bob excelled. Swinging along with him was a familiar worn little black bag, symbol of his calling, where in jostled bottles of pills and pellets for the alleviation of pain.
More than half a century of service to Keosauqua and Van Buren county by Dr. James A. Craig, 76, has ended. Dr. Craig died at his home in Keosauqua Sunday morning at 10:45 o'clock.
Funeral services were held at the Congregational church Wednesday at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Homer E. Dalrymple and the Rev. Paul Jackson in charge. The Masonic part of the service was conducted by John Vandenberg and L.B. Liddy with the assistance of the Craft. Special music was give by the Williams Brothers quartet, with Mrs. Esther Arthmann pianist.
Burial was in Purdom cemetery. Pallbearers were Morris Murphy, Craig Flemming, John Craig, Joseph Newbold, Richard Perkins and Paul Daughrity. The Knights Templar Escort included Alva Anson, Henry Strickling, Roy Overman, Floyd Johnston, Robert Hanna and Dick Therme.
Attending Craig Funeral From Out of County
Out of the county relatives and friends here Wednesday to attend the Dr. James A. Craig funeral included Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Henderson, Webster City; Mrs. Lee Daughrity, Keokuk; Mrs. Kathryn Nedeau, Keokuk; Dr. E.D. Hobert, Sedalia, Mo.; and the Rev. Marien Holbert Davidson (Mrs. C.I.), Miltonvale, Kansas; Mrs. Charles Wheatley, Ottumwa; and Mrs. R.L. Jemison of Ottumwa.
At 76, Dr. Bob was not old, he would never grow old, but the spare frame of the man faltered, the quick stride of his hurrying feet was gone. But the kindliness of a face was deepened through the years from the constant drain on a sympathetic heart. The gentleness of a physician's hands were still his; but, more than all else, was that keen mind that never faltered.
His sickness did not find him idle, for, for many months, he still prescribed for the patients he could no longer attend.
Those who knew Doctor Bob, even casually, marveled at his keen mind and his remarkable memory. At any time on any subject, he could converse. He liked music, especially the classics. He could analyze world affairs, was a lover of birds and flowers, was conversant in their lore. He loved his domestic pets, knew his farm life and its problems, had a delightful sense of humor, was active in church, lodge and community life. His love of sports was proverbial and contagious. You just had to enjoy the games with him! But his love of all outside interests never once impaired his devotion to his chosen profession.
Wealth he did not have, but a whole county, in spirit at least, will mourn at Doctor Bob's graveside no institution perpetuates his name, but the hundreds who have gone forth from the town of his long-life practice, will affectionately recall his name, DOCTOR BOB. Throught the deadliest night, or
(Handwritten: Dr. James A. Craig cont'd)The heaviest downpour, over long stretches of dust or country mire, to the lowliest home of the finest, hurrying to the summons of pain of sorrow or anxiety, goes the doctor. And from the lighted doorways of countless homes comes his reward in the radiant cry of relief, "The Doctor's here!"
Perhaps, outside The Door where a sick physician had lingered so long through months of pain - perhaps, when the door swung open on a Sunday morning for DOCTOR BOB, and the light came through - perhaps, if we could have heard, there was a glad and radiant cry one more, "THE DOCTOR'S HERE."
Thus lived Doctor Bob, and thus he passed from our midst, an unsung hero, but loved and respected by all. The courage that helped him share the sufferings of others in his active years, helped him through his last days of inactivity. Close to the radio he lay, listening hour after hour to the music and to the daily broadcasts of the news, interested in interesting always. In the humble walks of life, he was a great man. What finer tribute for anyone!
(**Handwritten: Dr. James A. Craig 1948)``Transcribed as published.~~
Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 305 & 306, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA
Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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