Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Craig, Thornton 1845 - 
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Author: Tom Gregory

THORNTON CRAIG, M. D.

   It is significant of the stable personal qualities possessed by Dr. Craig
that he has passed the entire period of his professional practice in the same
town. Immediately after his graduation from one of the most noted educational
institutions of the new world he came to California in 1876 and opened an office
at Capay, since which time by successful practice he has risen to rank among the
most distinguished physicians not only of Yolo county, but of the Sacramento
valley itself. The quiet but prosperous village that was the scene of his
earliest professional efforts has remained his home through all these years, and
from it he has answered summons from every part of the adjacent territory. In
the early period of his residence here he made his trips on horseback with
saddlebags, but later adopted a carriage for professional use and more recently
has purchased an automobile as offering the most expeditious mode of travel. In
the efficient discharge of his professional duties he has g6ne hither and
thither, has had to cope with disease in every form and has become an expert in
diagnosis as well as in the treatment of intricate and baffling cases, retaining
in the midst of all professional anxieties and successes the simple dignity,
companionable disposition and large-hearted kindly spirit characteristic of his
younger years.

   The Craig lineage is traced to Scotland, whence James Craig brought his
family to the new world and settled in Ontario, Canada. John, a son of James,
was born near Glasgow, Scotland, but from early years lived on a farm in
Glengarry, Canada, and there passed his last days. In young manhood he had
married Mary Westley, who was born in Ontario, of English and Scotch descent.
Their thirteen children inherited sturdy physiques and robust constitutions. It
is a noteworthy fact that there was not a death in the family until after all of
the sons had entered into business or into the professions. The sixth in order
of birth was Thornton, born January 2, 1845, at the old family home on the St.
Lawrence river, at Glenn Walter, Glengarry, Canada. His earliest recollections
are of the picturesque scenery of the river, the stern and rigorous winters and
the constant battle for a livelihood from the farm. The parents were ambitious
for their children and he was given excellent educational advantages, being sent
to the high school at Williams, a short distance down the St. Lawrence river.
After he had completed the studies of that school he passed successfully the
entrance examination into McGill University at Montreal, Quebec, and there
became a student in the medical department, from which in 1876 he was graduated
with the degree of M.D.C.M. Having decided to seek a location in the western
states, he came to California and found the desired opportunity at Capay. During
all the years of active practice he has found leisure to keep posted concerning
the advancement made in materia medica. Every development that experience proves
to be efficacious he adopts in his practice of the healing art. At the same time
he has identified himself with the county, state and American Medical Associations.

    At the time of coming to the west Dr. Craig was unmarried and it was a few
years before he established domestic ties, his marriage uniting him with Miss
Lizzie Rhodes, a young lady of education and culture, a native daughter of the
state, born and reared in Yolo county. She was a daughter of John M. Rhodes, a
pioneer miller of Woodland and banker of Sacramento, and for years one of the
most influential business men of that place. Eventually he removed to Lassen
county, Cal., and he died in Reno, Nev., August 4, 1908. Dr. and Mrs. Craig are
the parents of three sons, who have inherited the ability of their parents and
give promise of exceptional future success. The eldest, John M., was graduated
from the mining engineering department of the University of California and now
has identification with occupative interests at Cananea in Old Mexico. The
second son, Thornton, Jr., is a member of the class of 1913, dental department,
University of California, and the youngest son, Charles, is a student in the
Esparto high school. The family maintain a warm interest in movements for
educational and commercial advancement and contribute to philanthropic and
religious enterprises, having a. special regard for the welfare of their own
community. The doctor was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but with
broad-minded liberality sees the good in every creed that aims at the uplifting
of humanity. Since he became a citizen of our country he has voted with the
Republican party. Before leaving Ontario he was made a Mason in the Ferrens
Point Lodge and later became a charter member of Landmark Lodge No. 253, F. & A.
M., while he also is connected with Woodland Chapter, R. A. M., and Woodland
Commandery No. 19, K. T. Besides his Masonic connections he is identified with
Capay Lodge No. 230, I. O. O. F., in which he ranks as past noble grand. The
active years of maturity have been devoted zealously to medical work. His
ambition has been concentrated upon his chosen tasks in life. However, he has
found that outside interests broaden rather than hamper his mental faculties and
therefore, in making property investments, he has sought principally interests
that will take him into the open and thus give him a pleasant relaxation from
his practice. Included in his possessions and requiring a portion of his time in
their management are six hundred and forty acres in the Yolo basin and a
valuable orchard and vineyard of fifty-five acres at Capay, besides which he
also has invested in mines in Sonora, Mexico.


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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