"A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 
1844-1943" by Wendell H. Rone.  Probably published in 1944 by 
Messenger Job Printing Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky, pp. 381-382.  
Used by permission.  [Rockcastle]

JAMES COLEMAN CRAIG:  James Coleman Craig is perhaps the oldest living 
minister who has labored within the bounds of this Association.  He 
is the son of John W. and Louise Willingham Craig and was born on 
February 18, 1861.  In consequence he is now eighty-two years of age.  
He found the Lord in the forgiveness of his sins in the year 1875 at 
the Cherry Hill Baptist Church in Henderson County under the 
preaching and ministry of the sainted Elder J. B. Haynes.  His 
baptism took place soon after his converson [sic].
	Brother Craig secured a common school education and attended 
one term at Bethel College in Russellville, Ky.  He was a farmer 
before entering the ministry and continued in that work most of his 
life after entering the ministry.  He was licensed to preach by the 
Robards Baptist Church, Henderson County, Ky., in 1893.  This same 
Church ordained him to the ministry on May 25, 1894.  The council was 
composed of Elders J. M. Sallee, David Whittinghill, and I. M. Wise.
	From first to last our brother served sixteen Churches in this 
Association.  They were: Curdsville, Green River, Mt. Vernon, Brushy 
Fork, Karn's Grove, Red Hill, Delaware Creek, Old Buck Creek, 
Hopewell, Newman, Griffeth, Richland, Rumsey, Onton, and Bethel.  He 
also served Sebree, Niagara, and Bluff City, in Henderson County; 
Panther Creek, Ohio County; Chrisney and Grandview in Indiana; and 
Ozark, Illinois He served Curdsville Church for sixteen years and 
Green River and Mt. Vernon Churches for ten years respectively.
	He was married to Miss Ophelia F. Smock, daughter of J. T. and 
Mary Ann Smock, on February 24, 1881.  She died on April 22, 1921.  
His wife was a Methodist but united with a Baptist Church after her 
husband began to preach.  She was an efficient and consecrated 
helpmate to her husband and his success in the work of the Lord was 
attended largely by her support.  They had no children.
	Brother Craig spent more than forty years in the service of the 
Churches of this Association.  On many occasions he has ridden on his 
horse over a distance of from thirty to forty miles to fill his 
appointments because the roads were too muddy to travel by buggy.  
Many of his appointments were often met after he had walked for 
several miles.  He built new meeting houses at Delaware Creek and 
Green River Churches.  Delaware Creek Church was constituted as the 
result of a meeting conducted by he and Rev. W. D. Cox.  For many 
years he served on the Executive Mission Board of this Association 
and on one occasion preached the annual sermon before the Evansville 
Association.
     Since about 1935 our brother has retired from active work among 
the Churches and looks back to a work well done.  His humble opinion 
of his abilities and accomplishments is inspiring.  Though he started 
late in life nevertheless he accomplished a good and lasting 
ministry.

Craig Willingham Haynes Sallee Whittinghill Wise Smock Cox
=
Henderson-KY Russellville-Logan-KY Daviess-KY  
Rumsey-McLean-KY Sebree-Webster-KY Ohio-KY IN IL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/rockcastle/craig.jc.txt