Craig, James D. MAGA © 2000-2011
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PAST AND PRESENT OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND SANGAMON COUNTY ILLINOIS
By Joseph Wallace, M. A.
of the Springfield Bar
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL
1904



Page 1185

JAMES D. CRAIG. - The career of James D. Craig has been one characterized by unfaltering devotion to duty, by activity in business affairs and by reliability in trade transactions, and now, at the age of sixty-four years, he is living retired in Springfield at his home at No. 627 West Monroe Street. He has resided here since the 1st of March, 1861, having arrived when but twenty-one years of age. His birth occurred near Guelph, Canada, July 15, 1840, and in the backwoods schools of that district he received a limited education. His father, James D. Craig, died when the son was only nine years of age. There were four children in the family: Daniel, who now resides in Morrisonville, Christian county, Illinois; John, who is living in Cotton Hill township; James D.; and Jennie, the wife of A. F. Garley, of Springfield. All were reared in Canada.

After his father's death James D. Craig went to live with a man who resided upon a farm and whose habitation was a log house. With him he remained until fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the carriagemakers, Scott & Watson, of Guelph, Canada. For fourteen months he was employed in the paint shop, after which he was transferred to the other departments of the business. For four years he continued with that firm, and, leaving their services on the 15th of May, 1858, he went to Lockport, New York, where he again followed his trade. Subsequently he removed to Tennessee, but at the outbreak of the Civil war he returned to Lockport and for a year attended school.

In 1861 Mr. Craig arrived in Springfield, but after a brief period again went to Lockport, returning to this city, however, in 1861. He then went to work for Obed Lewis in a carriage shop and was manager of the business for a period of six years, during which he was connected with Mr. Lewis. On the 1st of January, 1868, he left the employ of that gentleman and became a general workman with the firm of Withey Brothers, with whom he continued until he closed out their business. While he was engaged with them he also did watch repairing at his home, and for about twelve years he had charge of the city time. In later years he was adviser with the Withey Brothers and he was appointed by them to close up their business affairs. The entire management devolved upon him and was controlled absolutely by him. It took about two years to dispose of their business interests, and he received the power of attorney, assuming the management of affairs until discharged in 1900. Since that time he has given his attention to the supervision of his own interests. In 1895 he purchased a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres in Rochester township, and this he has improved by tiling and by the erection fo good buildings. He also purchased four dwellings in Sp0ringfield, and his own home is at No. 627 West Monroe street. This was built in 1883 and has since been his residence.

Mr. Craig is a well-read man who is self-educated, but has continually broadened his knowledge by reading, observation and experience. He is also a self-made man and owes his success entirely to his own labor. Politically a Democrat, he does not draw the party lines very close, however, and he has never been an aspirant for office. He is likewise a supporter of church work and has been a liberal contributor in accordance with his means to charitable and public enterprises. He is now living retired, supervising his business interest in this county as well as his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in North Platte, Nebraska. Mr. Craig has traveled quite extensively, gaining that culture and experience which only travel can bring. He derives great pleasure from this, and having always been a close observer he is continually adding to his fund of information concerning places and people.


1904 Index