James Terrell CRAIG

December 22, 1918 - March 22, 1895
Aged 76 years 3 months

*Obituary
Benton County Democrat
Thursday, March 28, 1895

CRAIG, James T. - Died, at the home of his son, Chas. R. Craig, in Bentonville, Ark., Friday evening, March 22d, 1895, James T. Craig, aged 76 years. The deceased was born in Ray county, Tenn. Dec. 22, 1818 and was one of our oldest and most respected citizens. His father, Samuel Craig, was born in Pennsylvania in 1781. His mother Jane {Henderson) Craig, was born in North Carolina in 1790. His parents were married in North Carolina, whither Samuel Craig had immigrated when a young man and after marriage the young couple moved to Ray county, Tenn. Here the mother died in 1827. The father moved to Cane Hill, Washington Co., Ark. in 1848 and there died two years later. He was the father of only two children who lived to be grown. James T. Craig was only eight years old when his mother died and at her death was taken by one of the neighbors, with whom he lived for a few years and did what work a small boy could do on the farm. At the age of 15 he began working at the tailor's trade in Pikesville, Tenn. where he remained one year. He then clerked in a store for some time and in 1838 went to Lynchburg, Ala. where he resumed clerking. A little later he went to Ft. Smith, Ark. and clerked there for one year, having his permanent location at Ft. Gibson where he acted as salesman for a year. The following year he purchased a stock of goods and began merchandizing on his own personal account. As a young man James Craig was honest, virtuous, with sterling business habits and qualifications, and possessing an amiable, lovable disposition. In 1846 he was married to Miss Samantha Reagan who was born in Tennessee in 1827 and who died in 1848. The same year Mr. Craig moved his stock of goods to Cane Hill, Ark. In 1850 he sold his stock of goods and crossed the plains to California in quest of gold. Having remained in the west from August till May and his success being good he returned to Cincinnati, Ark. where he resumed his former business. June the 12th, 1851 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Russell, a native of Ray county, Tenn., born August 20th, 1830. To them were born four sons, one of whom died when young and three of whom, Charles R., Edward A., and George M. are living, married and citizens of Benton county. In February 1852 James T. Craig became a resident of Bentonville, Ark. and engaged in merchandizing, continuing the same until the breaking out of the late war. He then returned to Cane Hill and engaged in farming which occupation he continued until 1871 when he again returned to Bentonville and resumed merchandizing. In 1882 he turned his business over to his sons. Mr. Craig was the oldest merchant in Bentonville and erected the first two-story business house ever built in this place. He was afflicted with deafness for many years before his death but otherwise enjoyed the blessings of good health, good memory and a vigorous body for his age. He had joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church when young and had lived a blameless life. His illness was short, lasting just one week. Funeral services were held at the Cumberland Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Reverends Sullivan, Carnahan and Charlton conducting the services. After the services the remains were interred in the Odd Fellows cemetery.

Contributed on 6/22/13 by judyfrog
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Record #: 898930

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