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CRAIG, William Henry

Male 1845 - 1933  (88 years)


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  • Name CRAIG, William Henry 
    • Willam H. Craig was born in Bernadotte, Fulton County, Illinois, in 1845. At the age of 16 he moved with his parents from Bernadotte to Blandinsville, Ill. In 1863 he enlisted in Company C 84th Illinois Infantry at Macomb, IL. Because of sickness he was mustered out. After an absence of about a year he re-enlisted (Feb 24, 1864) with company F 64th Illinois Infantry. He fought in the battles of Resaca, GA. Dallas Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, and the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, in which General McPherson was killed. Mr. Craig was not far from the general when he was shot. William married Emma Jane Fisher April 21, 1877, in McDonough Co., IL, likely in Blandinsville. They had one child, Mary Alice, in Illinois before moving to Kansas in the fall of 1879. They first settled in Topeka. From Topeka they moved to Dover, then Harveyville, then to a farm west of Burlingame around 1885. In 1890, the made a final move to Americus, KS. They lost their first home in Americus by fire. They bought a house in the west part of town to replace it, and moved it to their home place. William and Emma had 10 children, two, Willie and Willice, dying in infancy. Alta, Edna and Arthur died young, at ages 24, 12 and 20 respectively. Of the remaining children three, McPherson, Della, and Albert, lived with or near their father their entire lives. Eldest child Mary Alice Stephens Cowser raised a large family not far away in Council Grove, KS and Emporia, KS. He was a farmer all his life until forced to retire because of poor health. William's wife Emma died in 1911. He died June 24, 1993, at 11:30 am on a Saturday morning at his home in Americus. William was 89 years old. Funeral services were held at the Craig home in Americus. He rests in the Americus cemetery. At the time of his death , William had 14 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
    Birth 21 Jun 1845  Bernadotte, Fulton Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    • "Willam H. Craig was born In Vernadott, Fulton county, Illinois, in 1845." Suspect town was supposed to read Bernadotte, Fulton Co., IL.
    CENSUS 1 Jul 1870  Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    • Occupation: laborer
    1870 US Census: Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, p 24    		 1870 US Census: Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL, p 24
    CENSUS 21 Jun 1880  Dover Township, Shawnee Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    • Living with Henry Reed, widowed farmer listed as "father," but neither William nor wife Emma's father. William and Emma maybe living with him temporarily until settled after family's recent move from Blandinsville, IL to Kansas. Emma would have been roughly 4 months pregnant with Alta at this time, the family's first child born in Kansas.
      Occupation: farmer
    1880 US Census: Dover Township, Shawnee Co., KS, p 10B    		 1880 US Census: Dover Township, Shawnee Co., KS, p 10B
    CENSUS 1885  Burlingame, Osage Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    • Profession: farmer
      Where from to Kansas: Illinois
      Honorably discharged from the military: yes
      Illinois, Co. F, 64th regiment, infantry
      Living with William and Emma Craig's family: Josiah Hingston, single, farmer
    1885 Kansas State Census: Burlingame, Osage Co., KS, p 49    		 1885 Kansas State Census: Burlingame, Osage Co., KS, p 49
    MILI 7 Jul 1890  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    • Service: (Co.) F 64th Ill Infantry
    Civil War pension card William N. Craig 1890    		 Civil War pension card William N. Craig 1890
    CENSUS 1895  Americus Township, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    • Where from to Kansas: Illinois
      Profession: farmer
      Honorably discharged from the military: yes
      Illinois, Co. F, 64th regiment, infantry
      Rest of the W. H. Craig family on next pages of this census
    1895 Kansas State Census: Americus Township, Lyon Co., KS, p 3    		 1895 Kansas State Census: Americus Township, Lyon Co., KS, p 3
    CENSUS 12 Jun 1900  Americus Township, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    • Occupation: Farmer
      Can read and write
      Own home, mortgaged, farm
    1900 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 8A    		 1900 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 8A
    EVENT 25 Dec 1904  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Craig family christmas 1904    		 Craig family christmas 1904
    "Preston Dill and family of Council Grove were Christmas visitors at Henry Craig's. Mr. Craig's children were all home at once the first time for several years."
    CENSUS 1905  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    • Where from to Kansas: Illinois
      Profession: (blank)
      Honorably discharged from the military: yes
      Illinois, Co. F, 64th regiment, infantry
    1905 Kansas State Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 6    		 1905 Kansas State Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 6
    EVENT 1 Apr 1906  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Craig family released from quarrantine 1906    		 Craig family released from quarrantine 1906
    "The Henry Craig family were released from quarantine the first of the week. This is the last of the scarlet fever cases in this vicinity, or of any other contagious diseases for that matter."
    EVENT 8 Apr 1906  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Dill children return home 1906    		 Dill children return home 1906
    "Preston Dill came down from Council Grove Sunday and took his two little children home with him. They had been staying with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Craig, since their mother's death (on Dec2, 1905, so they had lived with their grandparents for 4 months)." They may not have been able to go home sooner as the Craig family was in quarantine for scarlet fever for sometime prior to Apr 1, 1906 (see previous article).
    CENSUS 15 Apr 1910  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    • Address: Elm St.
      Occupation: day laborer, odd jobs, wages
      Weeks out of work in 1909: 32
      Can read and write
      Own home, mortgaged
    1910 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 1B    		 1910 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 1B
    CENSUS 1915  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    • Own house, mortgaged
      Where from to Kansas: Illinois
      Profession: laborer
      Number of months unemployed: 9
      Honorably discharged 1865, Illinois Co. F, 64th Reg., infantry
    1915 Kansas State Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 6    		 1915 Kansas State Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 6
    EVENT 9 Oct 1918  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [14] 
    William H. Fisher notified of son Arthur's death 1918    		 William H. Fisher notified of son Arthur's death 1918
    EVENT 30 Apr 1919  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [15] 
    Abel Fisher visits Henry Craig 1912    		 Abel Fisher visits Henry Craig 1912
    "Abel Fisher of McDonough county, Ill., was here the latter part,of the week visiting his relative, Henry Craig."
    CENSUS 10 Jan 1920  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [16] 
    • Daughter Della living with William
      Owns home, free of mortgage
      Can read and write
      Occupation: none
    1920 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 4B    		 1920 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 4B
    CENSUS 1925  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [17] 
    • Daughter Della living with William
      Own house, free of mortgage
      Where from to Kansas: Illinois
      Profession: (blank)
      Can read and write
    1925 Kansas State Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 2    		 1925 Kansas State Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 2
    CENSUS 25 Apr 1930  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [18] 
    • Daughter Della and son Albert living with William
      Daughter Ella Wagner living next door with her family
      Owns home, value $1500
      Occupation: none
      Veteran? yes, civil war
    1930 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 1B    		 1930 US Census: Americus, Lyon Co., KS, p 1B
    EVENT 30 May 1933  Emporia, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [19] 
    Bio of William Craig    		 Bio of William Craig
    This bio was published as part of a series to honor Union Army Civil War Veterans living in Lyon Co., KS in 1933. Much of the text was re-used for William's obituary when he died only a month after this article was written. The article contains several errors. William was born in Bernadotte, IL not Vernadott (there is no such place). The Battle of Racci should read Resaca and the Battle of Peach Creek should read Nickajack Creek.
    Death 24 Jun 1933  Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    • "William Henry Craig, one of the thirteen Civll War veterans in Lyon county, died at 11:30 o'clock Saturday morning at his home in Americus. He was 89 years old."
    Obituary: William Henry Craig    		 Obituary: William Henry Craig
    Burial 27 Jun 1933  Americus Township Cemetery, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 20] 
    • "Funeral services will be held at the Craig home in Americus at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Interment will be in the Americus cemetery."
    • Military headstone ordered by son McPherson Craig
    Headstone: William H and Emma J Craig full    		 Headstone: William H and Emma J Craig full
    Headstone: William H and Emma J Craig    		 Headstone: William H and Emma J Craig
    Headstone: William H. Craig    		 Headstone: William H. Craig
    Civil War headstone: William H. Craig    		 Civil War headstone: William H. Craig
    Application for Military Headstone - William H. Craig 1937    		 Application for Military Headstone - William H. Craig 1937
    Person ID I1885  Main
    Last Modified 2 May 2023 

    Father CRAIG, John S. 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother BURGESS, Nancy Jane,   b. 15 Apr 1826, Tuscarawa Co., OH Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 24 Apr 1897, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 71 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Marriage 21 Mar 1843  Fulton Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [21] 
    • "She was married to John S. Craig, March 21. 1843, they lived in Fulton county until 1861..."
    Family ID F595  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family FISHER Emma Jane,   b. 28 Oct 1854, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Nov 1911, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 57 years) 
    Marriage 21 Apr 1878  McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 22] 
    • "...she married W. H. Craig 21 Apr 1878."
    • "Mr. Craig was married April 21, 1877, (should read 1878 per Emma's obit and carving on their headstone) to Miss Emma Fisher, a Pennsylvanian. There were 10 children, two dying In infancy, and three in later life. Of the five remaining, all Ilve at home with Mr. Craig except Mrs. Alice Cowser, who lives in Emporia. Those at home in Americus are McPherson, Delia, Albert and Mrs. Ella Wagner."
    Children 
    +1. CRAIG, Mary Alice,   b. 17 Jul 1879, Blandinsville Township, McDonough Co., IL Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Jan 1953, Emporia, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years)  [Birth]
    +2. CRAIG, Alta Belle,   b. 21 Dec 1880, Burlingame Township, Osage Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 2 Dec 1905, Council Grove, Morris Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 24 years)  [Birth]
     3. CRAIG, Willie C.,   b. 22 Aug 1882, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 2 Sep 1882, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 0 years)  [Birth]
     4. CRAIG, Willice,   b. 22 Aug 1882, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Aug 1882, Kansas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 0 years)  [Birth]
     5. CRAIG, McPherson J.,   b. 13 Aug 1884, Harveyville, Wabaunsee Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Oct 1958, Emporia, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years)  [Birth]
     6. CRAIG, Della Ann,   b. 26 Dec 1887, Dover, Shawnee Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 5 Nov 1950, Emporia, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 62 years)  [Birth]
     7. CRAIG, Albert J.,   b. 16 Dec 1889, Burlingame, Osage Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 Aug 1985, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 95 years)  [Birth]
    +8. CRAIG, Ella Mae,   b. 25 Sept 1892, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 25 Jul 1979, Emporia, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 86 years)  [Birth]
     9. CRAIG, Eda V.,   b. 16 Mar 1895, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 Jun 1907, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 12 years)  [Birth]
     10. CRAIG, Arthur W.,   b. 16 Jan 1898, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 5 Oct 1918, Astoria Clatsop Co., OR Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 20 years)  [Birth]
    Family ID F592  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 10 Apr 2023 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 21 Jun 1845 - Bernadotte, Fulton Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 1 Jul 1870 - Hire Township, McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 21 Apr 1878 - McDonough Co., IL Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 21 Jun 1880 - Dover Township, Shawnee Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 1885 - Burlingame, Osage Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMILI - 7 Jul 1890 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 1895 - Americus Township, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 12 Jun 1900 - Americus Township, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 25 Dec 1904 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 1905 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 1 Apr 1906 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 8 Apr 1906 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 15 Apr 1910 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 1915 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 9 Oct 1918 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 30 Apr 1919 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 10 Jan 1920 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 1925 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCENSUS - 25 Apr 1930 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEVENT - 30 May 1933 - Emporia, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 24 Jun 1933 - Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 27 Jun 1933 - Americus Township Cemetery, Americus, Lyon Co., KS Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Documents
    Henry Craig kicked by cow 1905    		Henry Craig kicked by cow 1905
    "Henry Craig got kicked on the leg by a cow one day the latter day part of last week, and has been confined to the house pretty much ever since. At one time it was thought the bone was fractured, and such may yet prove to be the case. The pain was so severe, that one night the physician was called as it was feared that lockjaw was about to set in." Lockjaw, a sever muscle contraction of the jaw, is caused by tetanus, suggesting the kick became infected.
    Henry Craig falls from hay stack and injures arm 1907    		Henry Craig falls from hay stack and injures arm 1907
    Henry Craig trimming trees 1912    		Henry Craig trimming trees 1912
    "Henry Craig was trimming the pine trees and dragging the limbs out of the park which were broken down by the big snow last winter. There was at least two wagon loads."
    Henry Craig has largest turnip 1914    		Henry Craig has largest turnip 1914
    "Henry Craig has the largest turnip on exhibition this year." So Henry apparently farmed turnips!
    Henry Craig one of the last Civil War veterans in Americus 1920    		Henry Craig one of the last Civil War veterans in Americus 1920
    "Only a few short years ago some 30 or 40 survivors of the war of the Rebellion were living in Americus,...now only six remain who were participants in that great struggle for liberty. They are Henry Craig,..."

  • Sources 
    1. [S688] News articles: The Emporia Gazette, Emporia KS, (The Emporia Gazette, Emporia KS), 26 Jun 1933, p 1 (Reliability: 2).

    2. [S600] 1870 US Census, Illinois , (Ancestry.com), 1 Jul 1870, Hire Township, p 24 (Reliability: 2).

    3. [S129] 1880 US Census, Kansas, (Ancestry,com), 21 Jun 1880, Dover Township, p 10B (Reliability: 2).

    4. [S165] 1885 State Census, Kansas, (Ancestry.com), 1885, p 49 (Reliability: 2).

    5. [S700] U.S. Civil War Pension Index, (Ancestry.com), 7 July 1890, Application No. 843281, Certificate No. 67832 (Reliability: 3).

    6. [S134] 1895 State Census, Kansas, (Ancestry.com), 1895, Americus Township, p 3 (Reliability: 2).

    7. [S664] 1900 US Census, Kansas, (Ancestry.com), 12 Jun 1900, Americus, sht 8A (Reliability: 2).

    8. [S687] News articles: Americus Greeting, Americus KS , (Americus Greeting, Americus KS ), 29 Dec 1904, p 5 (Reliability: 2).

    9. [S138] 1905 State Census, Kansas, (Ancestry.com), 1905, Americus, p 6 (Reliability: 2).

    10. [S687] News articles: Americus Greeting, Americus KS , (Americus Greeting, Americus KS ), 5 Apr 1906, p 2 (Reliability: 2).

    11. [S687] News articles: Americus Greeting, Americus KS , (Americus Greeting, Americus KS ), 12 Apr 1906, p 6 (Reliability: 2).

    12. [S663] 1910 US Census, Kansas, (Ancestry.com), 15 Apr 1910, Americus, sht 1B (Reliability: 2).

    13. [S677] 1915 State Census, Kansas , (Ancestry.com), 1915, Americus, p 6 (Reliability: 2).

    14. [S687] News articles: Americus Greeting, Americus KS , (Americus Greeting, Americus KS ), 9 Oct 1918, p 1 (Reliability: 2).

    15. [S687] News articles: Americus Greeting, Americus KS , (Americus Greeting, Americus KS ), 30 Apr 1919, p 2 (Reliability: 2).

    16. [S615] 1920 US Census, Kansas , (Ancestry.com), 10 Jan 1920, Americus, p 4B (Reliability: 2).

    17. [S617] 1925 State Census, Kansas , (Ancestry.com), 1925, Americus, p 2 (Reliability: 2).

    18. [S621] 1930 US Census, Kansas, (Ancestry.com), 25 Apr 1930, Americus, p 1B (Reliability: 2).

    19. [S688] News articles: The Emporia Gazette, Emporia KS, (The Emporia Gazette, Emporia KS), 30 May 1933, p 4 (Reliability: 2).

    20. [S331] Office of the Quartermaster General, Military Headstone Applications 1925-1970, (Ancestry.com), 9 Dec 1937, William H. Craig (Reliability: 3).

    21. [S623] News articles: Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL, (Blandinsville Star-Gazette, Blandinsville IL), 29 Apr 1897, p 4 (Reliability: 2).

    22. [S687] News articles: Americus Greeting, Americus KS , (Americus Greeting, Americus KS ), 23 Nov 1911, p 4 (Reliability: 2).


 

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