A Biography of Union county Soldiers. Veterans' Photographic Souvenir. (G.A.R)

William F. Craig

William F. Craig was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, November 11, 1835; of Scotch-Irish parent. His early minority was spent on the farm. Having inquired the rudiments of an education in the public schools of his locality, at the age of seventeen he entered Martinsburg Academy in Knox county, Ohio; and at the age of seventeen began teaching school. After teaching several terms, he pursued his studies at Muskingum college, New Concord, Ohio; and so continued to alternate between teaching and study until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In April, 1861 he offered his services to his country, under the call for 75,000 troops for three month's service, but the state's quota being filled he was not accepted. Under the impression the war would be of short duration he emigrated to the state of Indiana, and with his elder brother, engaged in farming. The war cloud, instead of vanishing grew darker and denser. New levies of troops were made; campaigns were failing; men were falling on a hundred fields; shot and shell and disease were decimating our ranks. Duty as plain. Five had left the parental roof and one had fallen in battle. Closing up his affairs he was enrolled as a recruit in the ninth Indiana Infantry and upon reaching Indianapolis~, was placed upon detached duty at the headquarters of Gen. Carrington and was engaged in preparing and forwarding troops to the front. Later, he was transferred to the headquarters of Gen. A. P. Harvey and remained with him to the close of the war. At the close of the war, Mr. Craig returned to Ohio after recuperating a short time gathered together his meager belongings and started west to seek a livlihood. After stopping one year in Indiana he pushed on to Union county arriving here in October, 1866. The county was new, and while some had preceded him a number of years, he still met with hardships and privations incident to a pioneer life. He followed teaching and farming for many years, but has now laid down the ferule, and must soon abandon the plow. He is among the oldest teachers in the county, is a charter member of Henry Keating Post No. 211, department o[ Iowa. Grand Army of the Republic, and is now serving as an officer of the day of his post. Under his administration as president of the Union County Veteran Association, steps were taken to procure a permanent home for its reunions; ground was purchased, buildings erected and Garfield Park established and dedicated to the future use of veterans. In the civil walks of life, Mr. Craig has been a useful and public spirited citizen, fostering and encouraging every measure for the public good, and, believing that the stability and future greatness of our country depends upon the moral and intellectual culture or her citizens, is ever watchful of the welfare of the church and our public schools, those potent elements of patriotism.