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SAMUEL CRAIGER, a retired farmer now residing on section 12, Oakland Township, was born in New Jersey, in 1826, and was the fourth in a family of seven children, who were born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Acor) Craiger, the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Jacob Craiger was a shoemaker by trade, and in 1848 left his native State, removing to Peoria County, Ill., settling in Elmwood Township, where he engaged in farming. He there bought a partly improved farm, and immediately began its cultivation, making it his home until his death, which occurred in 1870, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1862, when seventy-two years of age.
Our subject grew to manhood on a farm, and under the instructions of his father learned the shoemaker’s trade. In the spring of 1853 he came to Louisa County, Iowa, and the following fall entered 240 acres of land. Many improvements have since been made, the farm is now highly cultivated, and comprises 450 acres. This land he now rents, as he has retired from active life. It is pleasantly situated about three-fourths of a mile from Conesville, and eight miles from Columbus Junction. Mr. Craiger takes great interest in political affairs, and votes with the Democratic party. He has never been an office-seeker, but twice was elected and served as Road Commissioner. He has witnessed many changes since his arrival in this county, has seen the wild prairies transformed into beautiful homes and farms, and the iron track of the locomotive take the place of the Indian trail. Mr. Craiger has always remained single, and his permanent home is on section 12, Oakland Township. It affords us pleasure to present a portrait of Mr. Craiger in connection with this brief sketch of his life.
