Biography - William H. Craig
WILLIAM H. CRAIG (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 24, Post-office, Avalon).
Mr. Craig not only has the reputation of being an excellent farmer, but his
career as a citizen has shown him to be public-spirited and enterprising, and of
advanced ideas regarding farming operations. February 28, 1841, he was born in
Indiana county, Pa., the youngest of two children resulting from the marriage of
his parents, John and Margaret (Frazer) Craig, themselves natives of the
Keystone State. In 1858 they removed to Knox County, Ill., and made that their
home until going to Henry county, where their death occurred, the father dying
in 1873 and his companion the year following. Jacob F. was the name of the
brother of William H. He (Jacob) became a member of Co. G, 89th Illinois, during
the late Civil War and was in the Army of the Tennessee under Gen. Sherman,
serving faithfully in all the terrific battles of that campaign until his death
at Rocky Face Ridge, Ga., May 9, 1864.
William H., he whose name heads this memoir, enlisted in 1861, in Co. B, 37th
Illinois volunteer infantry, and was first stationed at Camp Webb, near Chicago,
where he remained a short time, going thence to St. Louis, and afterwards to
Boonville, then to Sedalia, from there to Springfield, where an engagement took
place; during the winter the regiment camped at Syracuse. The spring campaign
was opened by a move on Springfield and driving Price into Arkansas, skirmishing
occurring nearly every day; streams to be crossed were swollen far above their
banks and many privations were undergone. Returning home they were overtaken by
Price and on March 7th and 8th the disastrous battle of Pea Ridge was fought.
The regiment remained at Cassville to recuperate until June, were then sent to
Springfield and from July to November saw almost continual duty. Mr. Craig was
obliged to leave the regiment at Camp Lyons, Ark., having lost the use of his
arm from white swelling, and after a tedious journey, by means of rough
conveyances, he finally reached St. Louis and was honorably discharged January
7, 1863.
Returning home to Knox county, Ill., he remained at home about a year, regaining
his lost health, and then he engaged in farming, continuing it there until
selling out and going to Henry county, where he purchased another place and
attended to its cultivation.
In 1878 he settled in this county and has remained here since that time, closely
interested in its agricultural affairs. He owns 240 acres of land a half mile
east of Avalon, upon which are neat and convenient improvements.
Mr. Craig was married February 25, 1868, to Mary A. Roberts, a native of
Pennsylvania, who has borne him three children: Jacob H., Katie and Robert B.
Mr. C. is a member of Avalon Post No. 146, G. A. R.
Contributed by Todd Walter, extracted from the 1886 History of Caldwell and
Livingston Counties, Missouri.
