Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1106 - 1107

 ARCHIBALD CRAIG, JR., one of the most thrifty farmers of Delano Township, owns and operates 160 acres of land on section 20, and is ranked among the representative men of his neighborhood. Of a naturally ambitious turn of mind, he commenced for himself early in life, armed with a good, practical education and perfect health. At the early age of fifteen years his father allowed him to cultivate five acres of ground for himself, at which he labored until reaching his majority, and had then saved enough to purchase a horse. His father gave him another, and with this team he commenced farming on a larger tract of land, which he rented, and where he continued until the spring of 1876, when he decided upon a removal, and pitched his tent within the limits of Sedgwick County. During his twelve years' residence in Kansas he has labored with good results, having now an unincumbered homestead and all the appliances of the modern agriculturist.

             Our subject was born in Jersey County, Ill., May 5, 1852, and is the son of Archibald, Sr., and Catherine (Hankinson) Craig, who were natives of New Jersey and Ohio respectively, and are now residents of Macoupin County, Ill. Archibald Craig, Sr., is of Scotch and Dutch ancestry, and was born Sept. 14, 1813. Mrs. Catherine Craig, the mother, was born in Miami County, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1823. They both came West during their youthful days, and were married in Jersey County, Ill., in 1839. They began in life with absolutely no means whatever, but their property is now valued at $50,000. This they accumulated in addition to rearing a large family, having become the parents of eleven children. Of these eight are still living, and residents mostly of Illinois and Kansas.

             Mr. Craig, of our sketch, was the sixth child of his parents, and it is hardly necessary to say has inherited in a marked degree the resolution and industry of his honored father. He purchased his present farm of 160 acres for the sum of $800. The land had never been cultivated and there were no improvements upon it. Mr. Craig was then unmarried, and kept bachelor's hall during the first year of his residence at this place. After coming to this county he met his fate in the person of Miss Eliza L. Kessler, who became his wife on the 6th of November, 1877, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Delano Township.

             Mrs. Craig was born Sept. 22, 1851, in Botetourt County, Va., and is the daughter of Abram and Mary M. (Paynter) Kessler, natives of Virginia, and of German descent. Her father was a slave-holder previous to the war and removed to Kansas in 1875, locating in Delano Township, this county. The young people commenced housekeeping in the first modest dwelling of one room, on the new farm, and which, in the fall of 1884, was replaced by a fine new residence costing $1,500. The following spring this was burned to the ground with most of its contents. Our subject, without spending any time bewailing his misfortune, put up another as soon as possible, and this building, with its surroundings, is considered one of the most comfortable and pleasant homes in the township. The farm with its appurtenances is valued at $12,000.

             To our subject and his wife have been given four children, of whom but two are living, namely: Charles G., born Jan. 20, 1879, and Myrtle M., May 21, 1884. The deceased are: Carl G., who was born June 29, 1880, and died on the 14th of September following; another infant son died when four days old. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have "pulled together" in their efforts to build a homestead for themselves and their children, and feel amply repaid for their toil and sacrifices. Mr. Craig, politically, is independent, and to the repeated solicitations of his neighbors to accept the responsibilities of office has turned a deaf ear, although he consented to serve one year as Township Treasurer. His whole career is an admirable example of what may be accomplished by the exercise of perseverance and resolution.

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