Yolo-Yuba-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Craig, Joseph 1849 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com December 8, 2005, 4:54 pm

Author: Tom Gregory

HON. JOSEPH CRAIG

    An identification with the new world dating back to the colonial era
indicates that the pioneer instinct was strong in the early American
representatives of the Craig family. Unknown regions beyond the confines of
civilization constantly lured them from the peaceful abodes of progress. Theirs
the undimmed vision of the frontiersman in nature's primeval wild; theirs the
love of stream and forest with the gifts they brought of fish and game; and
theirs the solitary way through life far from the crowded haunts of men. When
later generations of the name found no outlet for their frontier predilections
they expressed their innate tastes in a love for the open and in the adoption of
occupations necessitating outdoor work. An apparent exception to this rule
appears in the forceful activities of Hon. Joseph Craig, who entered upon the
profession of the law and also developed patents that necessitated the erection
and management of a foundry. However, those who for years have enjoyed glimpses
into the attractive characteristics of Mr. Craig have discovered that his
happiest hours are those spent on his ranches, in superintending the purchase or
care of his thoroughbred Durham cattle, in planning for suitable irrigation
facilities, in experimenting with alfalfa and other desired crops and in
enjoying all the amenities incident to pleasant tasks in God's great out-of-doors.

    An early expansion of the interests of Virginia caused many of her most
forceful, aggressive citizens to cross the mountains and establish farms in the
then wilds of Kentucky. Thus the Craig family became established in the blue
grass country. Randolph R. Craig was born at Versailles, Woodford county, Ky.,
and in 1837 married Miss Minerva E. Darneal, a native of the same village. Soon
afterward they sought the government lands of Missouri for the purpose of
undertaking farm work and they were numbered among the pioneers of Clinton
county, later removing to the rich agricultural regions of Clay county, in the
same state, not far from the now flourishing metropolis of Kansas City, a place
at that time as yet unplatted and unnamed.

    When news came of the discovery of gold Randolph E. Craig made immediate
preparations for a trip to California and joined a party bound for the gold
mines in 1849. A safe ending to a perilous journey was followed by an
adventurous career in the mines of Nevada county, where he met with some success
as a miner. With the encouragement suggested by the run of good luck he
determined to locate permanently in California and therefore in 1852 returned to
Missouri via the Isthmus of Panama, disposed of his property there and returned
to the coast accompanied by his family, whose youngest member was a son, Joseph,
born in Clinton, Mo., August 14, 1849. The first home in California was at
Nevada City, whence the father made mining expeditions to the foothills of the
Sierras. In the fall of 1869 he established a residence in Oakland and in 1878
removed to San Francisco, where he had a comfortable home and a large circle of
friends. Always, however, he continued to spend much of his time at the mines
and his death occurred in 1883 at Auburn, Placer county, when he was sixty-six
years of age. Mrs. Craig attained the age of eighty-four years. They were the
parents of twelve children, seven of whom lived to maturity, namely: Edward L.,
Walter E., Lee D., William C., Joseph, Mrs. Phoebe C. Mc-Kinzie, and Mrs.
Elizabeth M. Doud.

    By reason of his residence as a boy in communities interested in mining
Joseph Craig has been familiar with that occupation from his earliest
recollections and his inventive mind found expression in a patent, secured in
1869, on a hydraulic monitor, which revolutionized the entire system of
hydraulic mining and proved of inestimable value to men engaged in the
occupation. To establish a factory for the manufacture of this patent he built a
foundry and machine shop at Marysville, where the Globe and Little Giant nozzles
were manufactured for years. Eventually the plant was removed to San Francisco
and somewhat later he disposed of his interests in the same. Some inventions of
lesser importance were also covered by patents, among which was a combination plow.

    Establishing his residence in San Francisco during 1872, Mr. Craig there
continued the study of law which he had commenced in Nevada City. After he had
completed the regular course of reading with M. A. Wheaton of San Francisco, he
was admitted in 1876 to practice before the supreme court of California. The
previous year, as the nominee of the Democratic party, he had been elected to
represent the tenth district of San Francisco in the state senate. The election
was noteworthy because he was the only Democrat ever chosen for the senate from
that strong Republican district. During this time he was a member of the firm of
Marshall, Smoot & Craig, attorneys, of San Francisco. During 1878 with Hudson
Grant he established a law office at Woodland, Yolo county, where in 1883 he was
elected district attorney. Later on he was associated with N. A. Hawkins in the
practice of law. Until his retirement in 1892 Mr. Craig held high rank among the
leading attorneys of this part of California. For one term, dating from January
17, 1889, he served as a member of the board of state prison directors.

    May 1, 1874, in Woodland, Mr. Craig was united in marriage with Miss Kate
Stephens, born on the old Stephens ranch near Madison, Yolo county, the only
child of the late John D. Stephens. Five children blessed their union, namely:
Tilden J. and Josephine M., both deceased; John S., cashier of the Bank of
Woodland; Mary A., Mrs. George Gray, of Madison, and Cassie B. In addition to
managing his own landed estate Mr. Craig has superintended the large estate
inherited by his wife from her father. At Highland Springs, in Lake county, he
built a modern hotel and made other improvements, which resulted in the
establishment of a large patronage for the resort. During 1902, associated
with-other capitalists, he purchased and consolidated the Adams, Moore and Capay
irrigation canal systems and water rights on Cache creek and incorporated the
Yolo County Consolidated Water Company, of which he has been president since its
organization. The new owners purchased adjacent land and 'developed the entire
property. At Clear lake they acquired the right to build a dam covering
sixty-five square miles of water, having an average depth of five feet. The
canals are twenty feet wide at the bottom, with four feet of water, and will
supply alJ of the county as far as Black's Station on the north, and extending
south of Davis and Winters, thence into Solano county as far as Dixon. The
general irrigation system has been most advantageous to the alfalfa raisers of
the lands appertaining thereto and also has been helpful to all property owners.

    For years a number of the most prominent fraternities have received the
support and influence of Mr. Craig, his interest being peculiarly strong in the
Masons and the Odd Fellows. Besides being one of the active members of the lodge
of Odd Fellows, he has identified himself with the encampment and has been an
honorary member of the Rebekahs. In Masonry he has risen from the blue lodge
through the chapter and commandery to the Scottish Rite. In the local chapter of
the Eastern Star he is past patron, while his wife has been honored with the
offices of worthy matron and is past grand treasurer of the Grand Chapter,
California O. E. S. Representing the state of California she has served as grand
representative of Maryland and also as grand representative of Kentucky. She is
also a member of Rebekahs, in which she is past noble grand, and is an active
member of the Christian Church. Mr. Craig's devotion to the west has known no
diminution throughout his life of intense activity. In all ways he is a typical
western man, displaying the enthusiasm and progressive spirit so noticeable in
those whose lives have been given to the upbuilding of the great region of the
Pacific coast.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]

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