[p. 538] a substantial citizen of North Beaver Township, residing on his valuable farm of 100 acres, which is situated about one and one-half miles north of Mount Jackson, on the Edenburg-Mount Jackson road, was born on Saw Mill Run, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1844. His parents were Joseph and Eliza (Kennedy) Craig.
When Joseph Craig was about ten years old his parents moved to Mahoning Township, where his father bought 112 acres of land. Joseph Craig the elder was twice married, and seven children were born to the first union, Joseph being the third of that family, and two to the second marriage. The first wife died several years after settlement was made in Mahoning Township.
Joseph Craig grew to manhood in Mahoning Township, and his boyhood was spent in attending the district schools and in helping on the farm. In early manhood he was married to Elizabeth Jane Chambers, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Smiley) Chambers. She was born and reared in North Beaver Township. Her father was born in Ireland, and was eleven years of age when he accompanied his father, Capt. William Chambers, to America. They were among the earliest settlers in North Beaver Township, and became a family of wealth and prominence. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Craig lived on a rented farm in Perry Township for some eighteen months, and then came to North Beaver Township and for the next thirteen years rented and lived on the old Mooney farm. Mr. Craig then began to buy the present farm, purchasing his first thirty acres from William Lusk and subsequently adding other tracts by three succeeding purchases until he owned 200 acres of land all in one body. Mr. Craig retains 100 acres, which is under the management of his youngest son, and he deeded to his eldest son the other 100 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have but two sons, Norman Alexander and John Harris, both of whom are successful farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Craig lost a little daughter, Mary Bell, aged three years and ten months. Norman Alexander Craig married Annie Gailey, and they have three children: Verna Gailey, William Chester and Joseph Norman. The buildings on the part of the farm owned by Norman Alexander were erected by his uncle, John A. Craig who formerly owned this property. Mr. Craig is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, at Mahoningtown. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are members of the United Presbyterian Church, at Mount Jackson.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Previous Biography | Table of Contents | Next Biography
Explanation/Caution | Lawrence Co. Maps | Lawrence Co. Histories
Updated: 5 Nov 2001